Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Dorian isn’t there at all—he’s allowed to skip the nightly banquet though I am not. He’s probably sulking in his room, complaining to Henri or perhaps plotting vengeance against me for exposing him in front of the Court.
The thought makes me uneasy and I have a hard time forcing down the few bites of food that I eat to keep up the façade that everything is normal.
The Nobles at the lower tables are quiet, no doubt hoping to hear a Royal fight. But when there is no such spectacle, they gradually begin to talk amongst themselves, though they keep their eyes trained on the Royal Table on its raised dais.
It occurs to me that we’re nothing but a show for them—an endless source of juicy gossip—and I’m tired of it. I don’t want to be on display for a lot of stuck-up snobs who see me as nothing but a dancing bear to poke for their amusement. I want to go someplace where I can act normally and eat without a roomful of people staring at me.
But that’s never going to happen unless I run away from the Citadel and where would I go if I did? It makes me think of another passage in the Dragon Lore book that I read—all about a land beyond the Y’pryz Mountains at the far edge of the Kingdom. A land where everyone—male and female—all has their own Drake inside. A land of Dragons.
Of course, it’s nothing but a myth, I’m sure. And even if it wasn’t, who could ever get there? The Y’pryz peaks rise thousands of feet in the air—no one has ever scaled them successfully and come back to tell the tale. It’s foolishness to even think of it, especially since I have no Drake myself.
Still, I can’t help daydreaming about getting away from Royal life—which I just don’t seem to be cut out for. Though maybe things will settle down if Xaren will just put a baby in my belly.
The thought makes my cheeks grow hot because I know I’ll be going to his rooms again after dinner is over. I must convince him to take me this time…maybe if we take things slowly.
But I keep getting mental images of him on top of me, parting my thighs… I wonder how big his male parts are? I wonder if it will hurt? One of my married sisters admitted to me that though it hurts the first time, it can feel rather nice afterwards—if the man is gentle and takes his time.
I look at the Dark Prince from the corner of my eye and wonder if he has any gentleness in him. If he would take his time with me…
The thought makes me blush again and my nipples feel tight and tender rubbing against the bodice of my dress. I feel a warmth and tenderness between my thighs, too, which causes me to press them together tightly.
Xaren catches me looking at him as the servant comes by with the dessert platter.
“That one,” he says, pointing out a delicious-looking apple dumpling pastry with golden brown crust. “And that one.” He points to a scrumptious-looking chocolate éclair. “No, not on my plate—these are for my wife,” he directs the servant, who places both desserts on the plate in front of me. “She has a sweet tooth,” he adds, smiling a little.
“Thank you,” I murmur, picking up the dainty golden dessert fork which would have gone unused if Xaren hadn’t ordered for me. I’m still shy about ordering something that’s obviously fattening in front of the Queen. Now that she knows I’m not pregnant, she’s been glaring at me again when I dare to take a slice of the rich, fatty roast or a bowl of cream soup.
“You’re welcome, little dove,” my dark husband murmurs.
“I appreciate you ordering it for me but you don’t have to watch me eat it,” I say, with a bite of éclair halfway to my mouth.
“I like to watch you enjoying yourself,” he murmurs. “And besides, you’ve been watching me all dinner. Tell me, what have you been thinking?”
My cheeks feel like they’re on fire and I suddenly have trouble swallowing the luscious bite of éclair. If he knew what I’d been thinking…
“Er, nothing,” I say quickly in a low voice. “I was just…just…” I cut my eyes towards the Queen and notice that she’s glaring at me, no doubt angry that I’m daring to eat dessert. “I’m not hungry,” I say, putting down my fork. “May we leave now?”
“As you wish, little dove.” Xaren rises and pulls out my chair, helping me up like a gentleman should. Then he takes my hand and leads me from the banqueting hall while all the Nobles watch with wide eyes and whisper behind their fans.
However, he drops my hand once we’re outside in the long marble hallway.