Summary: After a nightmare, Kenna talks to Raydan about Azura.
Kenna’s mouth dropped open as she walked into the bedroom. She stared at the bed, incredulous. Azura and Raydan lay there, entwined in each other’s arms.
“What the hells do you think you’re doing?” she shouted.
Azura pulled away from Raydan and stared directly at her. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Kenna turned to Raydan. “How could you?”
Raydan didn’t say a word. Azura laughed. “He wants me, not you. I make him feel things that you never could. No one can compare to She Who Shines Brightest!”
Kenna glared at Azura. “Get out. Now!”
Azura grinned wickedly. “I don’t think so, child.” Lightning bolts shot out from Azura’s hands and struck Kenna, and everything went black.
Kenna gasped as she sat up in bed. Through her window, she could see flashes of lightning, and she heard a loud clap of thunder.
Raydan put his arm around her and pulled her close. “It’s all right, my love. I’m here. Did you have a nightmare?”
The lightning was an all too vivid reminder of everything they went through with Azura. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself. “Yes, I was dreaming about Azura.”
“She can’t hurt us any more. But I know the memories of what she did are painful.” Raydan held Kenna in his arms, trying to comfort her.
“Yes, they are. But I wasn’t dreaming about something she did. At least, I hope not.” Kenna looked into Raydan’s eyes. “You didn’t sleep with her, did you?”
“No! I flirted with her, held her hand, and kissed her, but that’s it. I told you this when I came back to warn you about the assassins. Why would you think that?” Raydan gently stroked her cheek.
“I don’t know. I know it was just a dream, but…the two of you were in bed together, and she said that you wanted her. It really shook me up.” Kenna paused for a moment. “You just kissed her once, right?”
“Well…twice, actually. The first time was over drinks in the Fydorian Gardens. The second time was in her tent, when she thanked me for rescuing Lia.”
In her tent. Kenna thought of the command tent in Lykos, where she and Raydan had made love for the first time. Raydan would have had the opportunity to sleep with Azura. “Raydan…you wouldn’t have slept with her, would you?”
Raydan hesitated. “Maybe. When I worked as a spy, I sometimes seduced people as a means to an end. I never wanted to sleep with Azura, but I would have if I had to. Assuming I even could. When she touched me, I got electric shocks. The first time we kissed, sparks were literally coming off me. She might have ended up killing me before it could happen. But if I had, it wouldn’t have meant anything.” His eyes darkened. “You don’t even have to like someone to have sex with them. I learned that long ago.”
Kenna squeezed his hand. “I know.”
“Kenna, you are the only one that I have ever loved. You mean everything to me. There’s no reason to be jealous. Please believe me.” He stroked her hair and gazed lovingly into her eyes.
“I do.” She kissed him gently. He deepened the kiss, and soon he was showing her just how loved she was.