Total pages in book: 197
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Something splatted down beside me and I picked up the pace, practically running up the steps to the only safe place not taken up by an amorous couple, or five.
“What is this?” I hissed at Alisdair. “Why are you allowing this?”
“They’re in heat,” he drawled back. “They cannot stop themselves. The drive to mate is too strong. They’re also your subjects now, little queen. You’d do well to stop judging and looking down on them.”
I lifted my chin. “I am not judging them. I envy them.” I jerked my chin at a group of six that was getting very rough, and very loud. “At least they’re having a much better time mating than I did last night.”
“No,” he replied, light and calm. “They’re not.”
I felt my cheeks brightening. “Last night was awful for me. Worst sex I’ve ever had.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“I didn’t complete once. I faked it each time.”
“Seven times,” he corrected, “and no, you didn’t.”
Irritation bloomed in my chest. His calm dismissal of me was a hundred times worse than bluster or arguments. He saw right through me, and to the mess he made of me, and it made me hate him all the more.
I sniffed. “I don’t know why you’re so confident of that tiny little fella in your pants. I doubt it’s ever pleased a woman.”
“It pleased the woman who had to limp onto her throne. You’re welcome.”
“You—!”
“My queen.” I jumped to find Bradach leaning over my ear. “May I humbly suggest you stop while you’re behind? You’re humiliating yourself.”
“I do not recall asking for your input,” I snapped, whirling on him.
Bradach lurched back, nose wrinkling even as he smirked.
Why does everyone keep doing that? The attendants scented my bathwater with rose and jasmine. I cannot possibly smell bad.
Bradach fixed on Aeris. His smirk melted away, replaced by an expression I sensed rarely graced his face. “Hello, Aeris. You look well.”
She sniffed. “Why would I look unwell, Bradach? I am not ill.”
“I meant you look beautiful.” He dipped, bowing his head to her—wings fluttering. “Should you find yourself in need of a mate this heat cycle, I’d be more than happy to fertilize your eggs.”
My brows shot up. What did he just say?
Aeris gave him a flat look. “You’re an idiot.”
Yes, that was the response I expected.
“I do not lay eggs, and bird faeriken do not have heat cycles—as you well know.”
“Ah, must have slipped my mind. Even so, the offer still stands.”
She was walking off before he finished his sentence.
“And you say I’m humiliating myself,” I muttered.
He muttered right back. “My queen, your tongue is as sharp as you are beautiful.”
I hid a smile. Far be it for any of these fae-beasts to think I was fond of them. Far be it for me to think it either. I was going home. I would never belong in Lumenfell.
Alisdair flapped a hand at Aeris. “Send them in.”
Aeris clapped and a door off to the side of the dais was opened. My brows lifted as dozens of faeriken of all types and sizes streamed in—my count lost at thirty. This wasn’t for show. This twisted, smirking beast actually held court like a proper ruler in a proper kingdom. Despite what Aeris said, the free-for-all orgy in the dark, windless cave better fit the picture I had of the kingdom of Wind and Wild.
I tried to stop looking at said free-for-all orgy. “Shouldn’t we make them finish?”
“They do that on their own.”
“Humorous,” I deadpanned.
“Line up,” Aeris ordered. She ushered them into an orderly line, feathers dropping in her wake. “One at a time. Address our lord clearly and be concise.”
I snuck looks at him out of the corner of my eye. How was I supposed to make my arrangements to escape if I was forced to sit under his watchful eye all day? The night before he gave me only a ten-minute head start. Not nearly enough time to arrange a way home. And even if I did, he had all night to catch me... which he did... easily.
He’s quick, strong, and powerful. What hope do I have of slowing him down, or hiding long enough to make it to daybreak? What did I used to do to outrun bullies faster than me?
An idea occurred to me.
“What? No, Alisdair, don’t say that,” I blared. “There’s nothing wrong with bursting into tears when you reach completion. I thought it was very sweet. Adorable even. I do think, however, that you didn’t need to sob quite so long, or so loudly.”
Aeris cut off with a squawk, gaping at me.
Slowly, dangerously, Alisdair’s narrowed eyes turned on me.
Bold as ever, I patted his hand. “Oh, my poor husband, you needn’t feel bad for not being able to satisfy me. With time and practice and less crying, you’ll improve.”
“Uhh, Queen Ana,” Bradach whispered. “I once again must say—”