Iquickly explained, “Theprincess has become a ward in my kingdom, to help improve relationships between thePearlKingdomand the emperor.”Herlips thinned, but she did not say anything more.
Bolonlet out a jovial laugh. “Wellabout time,Isay!KingRahulhas been so isolated for so long,I’mhappy to see him improving relationships.Why, he’s almost as much of an isolationist as you,Abraxas.Oneof these daysI’llget you to let me inside the borders of theDragonKingdom,”Isaid nothing in response, butBolonlumbered on, turning back toTori, “Perhapsyou could speak to your father on my behalf as trades open up?”
“Iwill certainly be telling my father exactly the type of man you are,LordBolon.”Hertone was flirtatious, but her eyes were burning pits.
“Wonderful!Youknow, back before the last warItraveled toNiataonce.Beautifulplace.Theocean there was like nothingIhad ever seen before.”Tori’sface softened, if only ever so slightly, the fire in her eyes replaced with melancholy.Butshe continued to converse withLordBolon, as he droned on and on and on about his travels.Butshe soon had her courtly mask back on,batting her lashes and laughing at allBolon’sinane jokes.Thesound was light and filled the room.Ifound myself seething each time he managed to extract another of the lovely sounds from her.Iwas ready to stab the man myself whenAvlynentered the room, shaking their head.
“Well, it seemsImay have to extend my stay,LordBolon, butIthink it’s time for the princess to return to my ship.”Mytone left no place for exceptions. “Wouldyou give us a moment alone?”Bolonnodded and stood, bowing to me.Hethen turned and placed a swift kiss onTori’scheek—the closest he had come to death during our entire time together—and quickly exited the room.
Toriimmediately dropped her mask, her sour expression returning. “I’vebeen at court with lords and ladies my entire life, and that was by far the worst manIhave ever met.”Shepaused, “Besidesyou, of course.”
“Withmagic fading from this world, the currency of power has been transferred to coin, whichBolonhas in excess.Yes, the world would certainly not be any worse off if he were gone.”Idecided to ignore her insult this time.Sheseemed surprised at my answer, and for a few moments, we simply shared the space in silence.
“Youseem quite comfortable with babies.Nota common trait amongst fae royalty.”
Shebit her lip in thought, causing the skin there to blanch and then come back even redder for a moment.Ihad to force myself not to imagine what other things might cause the same reaction.
“I’veknown many generations of humans.Myfavorite cook,Iknew her great-grandmother,Isaw each generation grow from babe to crone.Eachone of those lives was a blessing to me.”Sheseemed deep in thought, then shrugged her shoulders, “Babiesare easy when you're not the one feeding them.Ifind that when they get older, that’s when they are much more trouble.”Asoft smile lit up her face at a memoryIwasn’t privy to, but she quickly wiped it from her face. “Whatdoes it matter?”
“Justinteresting to see that you can be cordial and well-behaved.ItseemsIam the exception to the rule.”
“WhatcanIsay?Youbring out the best in me.”Shesank back into her chair, rubbing her eyes.
“Luckily,Avlynwill escort you back to the ship.AsIsaid,Ihave unfinished business here.”
“Whatsort of unfinished business?”
“Thatis none of your concern.”
“Ihave a feeling it very much is.”
Iraised my fingers to the bridge of my nose again.Thisday was truly turning into a terrible headache.Iwaved atAvlyn, and they came over to escortToriout.Shefaced them and looped her arm through theirs, “I’msurprised theDomineeringKingover here can stand to have me out of his sight.Hopeyou don’t get in too much trouble whenIescape again.”
Avlynwas wise and releasedToribeforeIslammed into her, pushing her up against one of the windows of the dining hall, grabbing her wrists and pinning them above her head.
“Knowthis,Princess,”Ipushed my whole weight into her, and felt the breath squeeze out of her lungs as well as the swell of her chest and grind of her hips into my own, “IfIshould hear that you attempt to escape, andIsay attempt becauseIdo not doubt thatAvlynwould catch you—again.Youshall remain shackled for the remainder of our long journey home.You’vegotten comfortable in your quarters.Perhapsa few days roiling in the brig below deck will remind you how to behave.”
“Letme go!”Shestruggled to get free, but all she really did was grind her hips into mine, but she immediately stopped when the resulting friction had a small groan passing my lips.
Hereyes widened, andIleaned in, “Tryingto persuade me otherwise?IsupposeIcould be convinced.”Ibrushed my nose against her cheek and took a deep inhale of her scent, a mixture of evergreen forests and jasmine, now laced with fear—and just the tiniest hint of something much more sinister, much more lascivious.
Ipressed my lips to her ear, and in barely a whisper “Wouldyou prefer to be in my chambers, chained to my bed?”Shewasn’t breathing, but her heart raced, andIcould see the color rising in her cheeks.
Shecouldn’t fight me physically, so she spat out, “Fuckyou!”
“Tryand escape again, little bird, and you’ll get your wish,”Ilaughed and then spun her intoAvlyn’sarms and strode out the door.Myfeet knew the path to the dungeon, and after the day thatI’dhad,Iwas ready for blood.
Chapter7
Tori
Everycobblestone we passed over on the ride home seemed to taunt me.Eachbump sent the carriage handle jiggling, daring me to grab it and fling myself out.Avlynhad very obviously not bothered to lock it when they joined me in the carriage.Nowthey sat across from me, their eyes laughing.Theyextended their hand towards the door, as if in invitation, mirth printed all over their face.
ButIcouldn’t stop my mind from running the scenario.Me, jumping from the carriage and making it about four steps beforeAvlynwould catch me, flinging me over theirbroad shoulders, hand gripping my ass as they carted me back.Theywould take me to the king’s chamber, but instead of chains, their strong hands would hold my forearms pinned to the king’s bed.Abraxaswould return with that same dark look from the dining room earlier.I’dfightAvlyn, but it would be of no use as he approached, slowly, dropping pieces of his clothing as he did.Hisweight would cause the bed to buckle, sliding me toward him as his hand traced up the inside of my thigh, higher and higher,Avlynjoining in to trace my breasts.
Igroaned in frustration, rubbing my hands over my face, pulling the skin taught, trying to get it together.Ihated thatAvlynobviously knew the direction of my thoughts.Ihated thatIwas having these thoughts about the people who had kidnapped me.Ihated how muchIwas enjoying them.
Ipushed it all away.Whilemeditationcouldbe effective whenever my thoughts ran wild before,Ifound that rough hands and the crashing together of naked bodies was a much more enjoyable method of silencing them.Well, my mind had been in disarray for days, no wonderIwas seeking out the best solution.
