A bit of an exaggeration. Was that one encounter enough to mate me to Sebastian? And Talakai and I had hardly exchanged sentences, let alone anything else. But Matt—
It was like a spear thrust straight through my heart. I barely heard Kitani say, “Let her go, Jacques.”
Her opinion on the matter clearly held weight because he released me. But he had an odd look on his face as he regarded me.
“You smell délicieuse,” he said. “And I am tired enough to be imagining things.”
“Jacques...” Kitani warned.
He waved at her before staggering to the kitchen table. He pulled out a chair and sat down, then rubbed his face with a shaking hand.
“J’ai besoin d’une femme,” he stated.
Seriously? He could barely walk, and he needed a woman? I hesitated in the act of pulling out another chair. “Is sex really all you think about?”
He lowered his hand. “Tu ne comprends pas.”
So far, this French was within my scope. “Then explain it to me.”
“I take greatplaisirin sex,” the Satyr admitted with a tired waggle of his bushy brows. “But it is also how Irecharger. I get energy from it. Much better than a full-course meal. Although when the two are combined—” He smiled wistfully.
Well. That explained much. “Sex is better than chocolate?”
His smile broadened and his eyes gleamed. “Much.”
Kitani had plunked herself back down on the couch with the twins. “Well, you are going to have to recharge someplace else,” she stated.
Jacques scanned me hopefully, but when I shook my head, he sighed, heaved himself to his feet, and headed for the door.
“Make it quick,” Kitani called after him. “Xumi is moving Matt and Talakai. We’re going to need you to find them.”
He turned back to me.
“We have to find them.” My voice broke on the last word.
In an instant, Jacques had his arm around me for a hug. “Ma Chéri, it will be all right. You are connected to the Dire, are you not?” When I nodded, he said, “Ne t’en fais pas. We will find them.”
“But—”
“I know all her strongholds,ma belle. She cannot hide from us for long.” His usual smooth baritone was raspy, but his eyes glimmered with confidence.
“Arm, Jacques,” Kitani instructed from the couch.
He removed it with yet another martyred sigh and resumed his trek to the door.
“If you’re hoping to find a willing partner, the academy’s a little short on female companionship,” I said to him.
He opened the door and grinned at me. “I have abelle femmeat every port,mademoiselle. And they are always willing.” He waggled his brows and closed the door behind him.
I stared after him.
Kitani cleared her throat. “I think he and Constance have a thing.”
I was just reflecting that Constance seemed to get around when the door opened again. I thought Jacques had changed his mind, but then Cara came in. Right behind her loomed the Dragon shifter Tyrez, followed by Cody. None of the three looked particularly pleased.
The suite suddenly got a whole lot smaller. Cody threw himself down beside his mate, and the twins happily crawled into his lap.
My stomach clenched as I turned to Cara.
