noticed that he was being watched by almost everyone in the room. A creepy feeling that something wasn’t quite right slithered across his skin. Where were the other guests? All these pointed-eared people worked here, right? Or, were they the guests and they were looking at him because he hadn’t had makeup point his ears? He guessed they didn’t realize this was his first time here and he didn’t know where makeup was. Chase made a mental note to ask Reed about that later.
Deciding not to stay here long, he quickly ate his food and rose to leave. While Byron talked to a curvaceous woman, a thin man with red hair smoothly walked up and whispered, “Watch your back, round ears.”
Before Chase could say a word, the man turned and disappeared into the growing crowd. What the fuck was that all about? Fear sliced through Chase’s chest for a good minute. Then he remembered he was at a resort where they played out themes. Looking around, he found that most of the people around him were still looking at him. Some openly stared, while others were trying to hide their interest in him.
Feeling like a bug under a microscope, Chase headed for an exit.
Byron was next to him in an instant. “Where are you going?”
“Out of here. Where is Reed?”
“The king is taking care of business. Where would you like to go?” Byron asked.
Chase thought for a moment. “Is there a game room here or a movie theater?”
Byron grinned and nodded. “You wish to play a warrior’s game?”
With a shrug, Chase answered, “Sure. Why not?”
Byron led him outside to what looked like a shooting range. Targets were placed at different yardages. Chase hoped it was archery. He loved shooting his bow.
Byron waved him over to a building that was almost hidden by vines. Chase’s eyes widened when he walked into the room. It was an archer’s heaven. Chase walked over to a row of bows that hung on the wall. It took a lot of effort for him not to drool. He had never seen such unique bows. Not at any of the weapons conventions he’d gone to. Not even in his special ops days. They must be special made by one bad-ass weapons designer. “Can I try one of them?”
“I was hoping you’d say that. Pick any one you like and we’ll go out and shoot a few shots.” Byron stood back and watched Chase with curious eyes.
Chase ran his hand over several until he found the one that called to him. As he picked it up, Byron said, “That’s a fine choice. The king likes that one as well. I’ll get you some arrows, and we’ll go out and see what you’re made of.”
The hand grip was perfect. Excitement bubbled up in his chest. For the first time since he’d been brought here, Chase felt free to be himself. Without Reed around, he didn’t need to play the submissive, and it felt great. It was getting harder for him to play that role. He followed Byron outside and happily took an arrow. “This has got to be the lightest bow I’ve ever held.”
Chase went to the line of the twenty-yard target and placed the arrow. He pulled back the bowstring, aimed, and let the arrow fly. Almost a bull’s-eye. Byron whooped then handed him another arrow. This time he hit the bull’s-eye.
Within a few minutes, Chase talked Byron into getting a bow and shooting with him. It was the most fun he’d had in a long time. Byron was almost as good a shot as Chase was.
Looking over at Byron, Chase said, “I bet you’ve won a few archery competitions, haven’t you?”
Byron’s bushy brows rose comically and a blush touched his cheeks. “Yes I have, my king’s mate. But if you’d been there I believe I would have come in second place.”
Chase shrugged and grinned. “There’s no telling. Maybe one day we’ll meet at a competition.” Chase thought it would be nice to meet up with Byron and shoot a few arrows sometime. He should get Byron’s number before he left.
When Byron stiffened then turned and bowed, Chase looked over his shoulder and saw Reed