“It’s time to put on the big girl panties and just suck it up,” she ordered herself in a whisper.

In less than a minute Rever returned, dropping her bag on the bathroom floor. She turned her head to meet his gorgeous eyes. The cold look was still there telling her silently that he’d hardened his heart against her. She almost felt grateful that he was such a strong man, reminding her that she needed to be strong as well.

Wailing and throwing herself at his feet to beg him to keep her wasn’t going to do any good except it might get him killed or sent away to a Zorn work camp, which was probably comparable to prison. She cared about him too damn much to be that selfish by begging him to do something stupid on her behalf that wouldn’t even change the outcome. Rever would be locked up and she’d be forced to be with another man. She straightened her shoulders, meeting his gaze.

“Get dressed and put on pants. It will be cold where you are going.” She nodded, looking away from him. Rever spun away, storming back out of the bathroom. Forcing her body to move, she bent over, removing her clothes from her bag.

Her back ached a little where she was scratched but it was just a small discomfort while she dressed. Ali had supplied her with new socks and boots so she put those on last.

In minutes Rever was back, pausing at the doorway. She frowned as she studied him, noticing that he’d changed clothes, and she couldn’t help but stare at his black uniform. He looked dangerously sexy in the thick leather that molded to his body. He had weapons strapped to his hips and more strapped to his powerfully built thighs and she studied the mean looking knife handles sticking out of sheathes that were strapped to him. Her gaze lifted to meet his.

“Let’s go. We don’t have much time.” He held out his hand to her, his blue eyes glowed with intensity.

“Go where?” Her gaze flew to his outfit again, thinking he looked ready for battle.

Her heart nearly stopped at that thought and her gaze flew back to his.

He took a deep breath. “I spent years patrolling the Outlander area. If anyone can survive with a woman out there it is me. As I said, I’m a damn good fighter, Brenda. It will be dangerous and it could get us both killed but we can be together.” He paused, his gaze locked with hers. “It is your choice. We’ll be hunted but I’m a warrior who will be on a familiar battlefield. It is the only chance we have to find happiness with each other.”

Everything he’d said about working in the Outlander area slammed into her, about how women didn’t live out there because it was too brutal a place with criminals and wild Zorn males. Fear hit her but as she stared up at Rever, something else hit her too, the realization that she’d rather die with Rever than live without him was crystal clear to her. She swallowed as she took a step forward, reaching for his hand, nodding.

“I’d follow you to hell and back, Rever. I just want to be with you.” Rever smiled as his large warm hand clasped her smaller one. “Get your bag. You’ll need clothing.”

Blinking away relieved tears that he was willing to risk everything for her, she bent, gripping her belongings. She looked up at him. “Thank you.” His smile died. “Don’t thank me for the very selfish thing I do. I will probably get both of us killed just for my desire to keep you with me. I don’t know how long Ral will keep Volder away but when they realize we have run together the hunt will begin so we need to go quickly now.”

A shiver of dread hit her. “They really will hunt us? Seriously?” He gave a grim nod. “It is the Zorn way.”

“Then let’s get the hell out of here.”

Rever suddenly moved, bending just enough that his lips brushed her forehead. He nodded as he stepped back.

“We must hurry. I want to reach the Outlander area before night falls and we have a stop to make first.”

Chapter Seven

“Don’t speak,” Rever said softly half an hour later.

Brenda studied the building they stopped in front of in the middle of the woods but in the distance she saw a large wall. The top of it was thick like a catwalk and it had big, black-outfitted Zorn men who were carrying weapons that resembled guns as they walked along the length of it. If she didn’t miss her guess, this had to be some kind of border crossing. She gave a nod that she understood his command.

Rever’s face went blank of emotion as he took a deep breath. He released her hand, his gaze roaming the area, and looked to be waiting for something. It didn’t take long before two large men in the same outfit that Rever wore walked out of the dense trees next to the building. They looked mean and carried as many weapons strapped on their bodies as he did.

“Argis Rever.” One of them nodded. “Is this an inspection?”

“My father has instructed me to give this human woman a tour. She is an ambassador from Earth and she wants shown how we protect our cities.” The other man frowned. “Why here? It is too dangerous.”

“I am not taking her past the zone line.” Rever shot the guard a dirty look. “She was curious about the Outlander areas so I am giving her a tour of the supply building to show her how prepared we are and that other human women would be safe in our cities. If she sees how we protect our citizens she will recommend to her Earth that they send more human females.” Rever smiled. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have thousands of them available to bound with?”

Both men turned their full attention on Brenda. She lifted her chin, putting on her best game face, and tried to not to curl her lip as both men leered at her, openly staring at about every inch of her body. One of them grinned.

“She has that much power over her women?”

Nodding sharply, Rever lied. “She is very important on her world. Upon her recommendation a lot more human women will travel to Zorn to bound with our males.

My father is a great leader who always wants to please his people.” The dark-eyed man grinned. “Is this one bound?”

Rever tensed. “She is an ambassador. Control yourself. She is just here for a tour.

Let’s go. She has a banquet to attend in an hour. Take us inside now.” Both guards turned, striding for the building. Brenda darted a glance at Rever. He met her look with a nod, motioning her forward. Her backpack was hidden in the woods so she didn’t have the weight to slow her down as she almost ran after the much taller men who had damn long legs. They rounded the building and she saw two thick 64