“Sirs,” Ben growls from the other side of me.
I take a deep breath. “Am I not allowed to disagree with you,Sirs?” I attempt not to snarl.
Theo chuckles, “Baby steps.”
Arch continues as if he wasn’t interrupted, “You may speak freely as long as you are respectful. That includes disagreement, but only in private. In public there is never to be any disagreement or questioning. If you are being punished, of course, there may be additional restrictions upon your behavior.”
I snort, unable to stop myself. “Restrictionsupon mybehavior? What the actualfuckdoes that mean?”
Arch’s eyes widen and Theo grins. Ben leans forward and in the silence that now lays heavily upon the room, I realize that I have well and truly fucked up.
Arch stands and his wings make a small flap before closing back in. Not trying to intimidate.Doesn’t really need to, does he? He fucking owns me now.
Before Arch can say anything, Theo growls, “I know what to do with a dirty mouth.”
Arch makes a noise of agreement. “Bride, you are never to speak to us such. Do you not think that swearing at us with your human words would be considered disrespectful?”
Nervousness dances in my belly as the other two stand as well.
“I’m...I’m sorry, Sirs.” I look down at my hands in my lap. “It has been a... hard day. May I retire to my room?”I have to hide this fucking sword.
Ben answers, “You do not have a room. You will sleep wherever we wish it.” The slender gargoyle’s skin seems flushed.
Theo speaks up, “I think perhaps she will listen better naked.”
Fury roars through me and I avert my gaze. Arch steps towards me. “I agree, I think perhaps our kindness is being mistaken for weakness.”
I snort. “Kindness? Do you mean not throwing me, a much smaller and weaker being, to the floor to befuckedthe moment we landed?”
Arch’s hands take my elbows and pull me to my feet. He’s huge, nearly a foot taller than me and his hands are cool through the thin fabric of my blouse.
“Disrobe, little bride. You have lost the privilege of clothes.”
Panic beats its wings inside my chest.My sword.
“Please, Sir. I will. Of course, I will. But... may I use the bathroom first?”
Arch frowns and releases me. “You have five minutes. Come back bared to us.”
Chapter Ten
Ebenezer
Iam watching the sky through the archways to the balcony.This is not going well.
This rebel’s daughter is entirely too high spirited. She will shame us. I could lose my position, Theo his command, Arch his Earlship. We are fucked unless we figure out the key to her.
I spin, meeting my bondeds’ eyes. “What will tame her?”
I take a slow breath.I sound frantic and I cannot be frantic.I must be studied, I must think logically.
Arch raises an eyebrow, but speaks lowly, “I don’t want our femaletame. I want her well-behaved. And swollen with our wingling. Those arenotthe same thing.”
“She needs to understand we will be making the decisions, but that we will grow to have feelings for her. And that we will always be concerned with her needs,” Theo says, unusually serious. He flashes his playboy grin, “And that we know exactly what to do with a sassy female’s mouth.”
Arch nods, “Yes, she will learn now that we are in command of her body.”
I glance back at the sky; it’s been five minutes. I open my mouth but I hear the bathroom door open. All three of us turn to watch our bride.
