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She stomped over to the coffee table, set her water bottle down, and planted her hands on her hips, glaring. “Who the hell do you think you—” She paused, her features softening as I caught the sharp, involuntary inhale.
I glanced between them, confused by the sudden shift—the way she shrank in on herself.
Ezra leaned forward, elbows on his knees, pale eyes locked on her as she glanced away, unable to hold his stare. “From now on, one of us goes with you. I refuse to have you get yourself killed before I’ve figured out a way to get us home.”
“She’s not a guard for the council,” I noted, hoping to remind him he didn’t need to command her like a soldier. “I think she understands that going out alone is risky. Don’t you?”
“I do, but he’s right.” She sucked in her cheek as if the words bothered her to say. I didn’t like it. “I didn’t think anything would happen.”
I stood, crossed to her, and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “If you need a running partner, just wake me up and I’ll come with you. I don’t mind. I need the workout after slacking off since we’ve been on Earth.”
Her brows drew together. “Seriously? Mr. Viking, who looks like he bench presses six of me, is complaining about being out of shape?”
I laughed. “I don’t think I could bench press six of you, but maybe one.” When I reached for her waist, she squealed and smacked my arm.
She pointed at me, stepping back. “Not on your life!”
Chuckling, I crossed my arms. “I’ve got a lot of years to spare. I’m sure I can risk a few for the cause.”
“What are you, a cat?” She shook her head, smiling. “Where’s Zeke and Cyn?”
“Still asleep.”
“Well, I need to shower and get ready for work.”
“I’ll start breakfast then. You need to eat before you go.”
When she pursed her lips, I lifted a brow, daring her to argue.
I didn’t budge when she pushed me, laughing when she glared. I liked how she kept putting her hands on me. Unlike Ezra, she didn’t back down with me. I loved her fire.
“You’re relentless.”
“No. I want you healthy.”
Her cheeks darkened, and she nodded. “I don’t get you,” she mumbled with a scoff, turning and heading for the stairs.
Ezra cleared his throat, drawing my attention from watching Rae leave.
“What do you want for breakfast?”
“I want to discuss what I just witnessed.”
“Okay? What?” I headed to the kitchen. If I didn’t get something edible ready by the time Rae came downstairs, she’d leave with only a cup of coffee. She needed to refuel after her run.
Ezra rose to his feet and joined me, taking a seat at the counter. “You can’t let this happen.”
Setting a carton of eggs and a mixing bowl on the counter, I met his eyes. “Let what happen?”
His tone already said what he meant, but I asked anyway.
“We’re not staying here, Ash. Whatever is happening between you and Raelynn needs to end. Now.”
My brows hitched, but I schooled my expression, cracking eggs into the bowl. Chicken eggs tasted different from gornak eggs, but they weren’t half bad. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Do you think me incapable of discerning when my best friend—my brother—is enamored with a woman? You haven’t given a woman a second glance in years.”
I shrugged, tossing broken eggshells into the trash. “I like her. What of it?”
