When I touchthe toy, I rub my fingers together, setting it off.Her legs wrap around my waist.Spreading my wings, Itaketo the air.
Dozens of othersdothe samearoundme, dancing above just as fiercely as theydidon the ground.Some of the band members stick an arm through their golden cages, giving people the signal that theyareopen to be touched.Their cagesareinstantly flocked by Razians and Vylians alike, all wanting to grope a tit orstroke apussyas the band plays.
Flying Arienna to the edge of the crowd, I wish the music wasn’t so loud so I could hear her moans.The way she’sbucking against my hand, Iknowshe’smaking them.
Landing at the head of the banquet table, I put her down.I’mabout to kiss her again whenmy head of securitylandsbeside me.
“Incoming,”Jacesaysa second beforeTanyaand Petre appear behind us.
Removing my handfrom between her thighs, I place it onherhip as I turn us around.“DragonsPetreandTanya, to what do I owe this displeasure?”
“We’re here to meet our future queen.You’ve hidden her away for far too long.”Petre’s silver-and-green eyes latch on to Arienna like a spiderdoesa fly.She reachesuptotouch her hair – long black locks set in a tight bun with sharp needles poking out of it.A subtle threat.One Idonot take kindly.
My fingers burn with the need to release the knives strapped to my forearms.But I force myself not to move.Wearein a crowded ballroom with the Vylian king and queen in attendance.Any sign of discord in our rankswillgive them the idea that theycanpush for more than the terms outlined in our agreement – something Petre wantsno more than I do.
Ariennaissafe here.
My hand twitches.
Nudging me, Jace piercesme with his gaze.
I force myself to relax, to focus on Arienna’s presencebeside me.“She is not queen yet; her attendance is not mandatory,” Isay, rubbing my fingers together, increasing the pace of the toyinside her.
“Nor is her absence.”Smiling,sheturnsto Arienna.“Are you aware, Your Majesty, that once crowned, your power will trump his?You’ll have the entireRazianarmy at your command.Don’t you think you should be well educated before takingonsuch responsibility?”
And there it fuckingis.Theycan’teven wait until after the ball to try to seewhether or notmy queenwillhave the guts to kill me and take my place.The dumbasses.
My wifedoesn’thave a murderous bone in her body.She even loveswasps, the evil fuckers, and theydon’tmakeher feel anywhere near as good as Ido.
“I do,” Ariennareplies, making my blood run cold.The last thing I wantisfor her to be alone with them.
“She’ll be trailing me now that our honeymoon period is officially over,” I cut in before Petrecaninvite her to do the same.It won’t take much for them to convince my queen that I’m the monster she once called me; the gods know I have enough stories to my name.
Tanya’ssneerisblatantly hostile.“She must also learn the role of the Court – something you cannot teach her.”
“And once she learns everything else from me, I will send her over.”Bythattime, wewillbe a democracy, and therewon’tbe any Court.
Tanyagrowls, “Do you think we’re stupid?”
“Frankly?Yes.”
Shetakesa step forward before Petre grabsher arm.Jaceisalready in front of us, his hand on his blade.
“Let’s go,Tanya.He can’t hide her forever.”As theyflyback into the crowd, Arienna pullsaway from me.A frown marsher lips.
“Am I really going to start trailing you on your duties?”sheasks.
Sitting downin a chair, I pull her onto my lap.“Only if you want to.”
“But why?”
I glance down at her, my brows furrowed.“I thought you wanted to learn about your role?”
“I do.I just thought you didn’t want me involved.”
“I don’t,” Isay, sliding my hand down her soft thigh.The Courtisa dangerous place where anger reignsand grudgesareheld forever.
Idon’twant to watch her lose her innocence.To come to hate the world as Ido.As all fairiesdo.
