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There were no other Darkans at Castle Shelah. During her search, Ajali’s wealth and power had been reinforced. One wing alone housed dozens of officials and high ranking members of other kingdoms, who’d come to confer and write treaties with Nuria. She’d listened to the conversations in several places, and the respect and deference shown to Ajali was spellbinding. She walked in the shadows to the king’s wing and entered the chambers ahead of him. With speed, she undressed and bathed.
A servant entered as she emerged from the cavernous tub.
“Hari Tehdra,” she said on a curtsy. “I am here to serve you.”
The servant presented Tehdra with several beautiful but sheer caftans—designed only for haris. Her impractical, jewel-studded slippers rested daintily against her feet. Her navel was also pierced and a beautiful gold chain studded with gems circled her stomach and looped through her navel piercing. Jewels also dripped from her ears, wrists and ankles. She dressed in a caftan of pale blue that flowed softly around her body and offered glimpses of her nipples and the outline of the valley between her legs with every movement of her body.
A few minutes later the king enter
ed the chamber, and his scent had wrapped around her, heady and dangerous. His eyes flicked over her in a thorough appraisal before cool caution settled on his face.
He moved around the chambers as if she was not present. She arched an eyebrow. Was he so used to women who faded into the backdrop? With hundreds of concubines, she supposed it was possible.
Tension infused each of his steps, and gradually the heat in the chambers shifted. It came from him. She lowered the shield between her beast’s chakra and hers, allowing darkness to slowly pervade her veins. Yesss…. The sibilant hiss of her beast slid across her mind over and over. Deep inside, primal urges stirred, need and something dark licked at her, and she had to restrain the need to touch and taste him.
She stifled the growl that rose in her throat. The rage pouring from him was so cold she almost trembled. Never would she have imagined he had such a depth of emotions ravaging him. On the surface, his mien was composed, almost serene.
He started to shrug from his clothes.
Acting on instincts, she approached him. She tugged at his shirt. “May I?”
He stilled, then gave a sharp nod.
Slowly, she undressed him, a burning curiosity fanning inside of her to know him. It was a foolish desire, for to truly appreciate him before she disappeared would be painful. With each movement, Ajali’s powerful muscles twisted like a snakes. She stripped him to the waist, striving to be detached. She itched to slide her hands over the expanse of his chest. “You are beautiful,” she murmured, unable to keep her visceral appreciation to herself.
His eyes lingered on her face for seconds. “Fucking is the last thing on my mind, hari.”
A thing for which she was grateful. “I did not believe I offered.”
His lips twitched.
She leaned in close. “What is preying on your thoughts?”
Without answering, he flashed to the high balcony overlooking his kingdom. Tehdra followed, a sigh of appreciation slipping from her at the beauty of Adara. Millions of white city light, glinting like diamonds, burned. The majestic city of marble spread for miles, towering mountains rose in splendor with waterfalls rushing down the mountain’s ledge. “Your kingdom is awe inspiring.”
The seething cauldron in him flared, and she sneaked a glance at him. He remained composed, hands thrust into his trousers pockets as he surveyed his domain. It could not be easy to know that unseen enemies stalked his kingdom.
“You will join me for dinner in a few hours.”
“Certainly. Do you wish to speak of your troubles?”
“I am undisturbed.”
Of course he would not trust to unburden himself to her. She moved closer to his heat. “Am I to stay in your wing at all times?”
“Yes.”
Satisfaction filled her. She had gathered from spying on Bastien as he railed to his wife, that his king’s actions were rash and insupportable. “Why?”
He shifted. “You question me?”
“Others do not?”
A smile tugged at his lips, and she was pleased she’d elicited such a reaction.
“No, they do not.”
The way his intense gaze roamed over her, was intriguing and alarming. Warmth radiated through her body. Be vigilant, she reminded herself. She glided to the high turret. “Your city is like none I’ve seen. It never sleeps.”
