“So, hewasa spy, just as I suspected.”
“Tell me!” Jucai surged to his feet, his long hair flying about him.
I remained calm, my diplomatic training saving me from escalating things. “Tell you what, Jucai? That an old lover tried to lure me back, and I rejected him? Or should I tell you about Claw Mahdred, whose advances I also rebuffed?”
No, I didn't exactly rebuff Diaya, but I put him off until after I ended things with Jucai. That's virtually the same thing.
Jucai deflated.
“Ah, so your guard failed to mention how I walked away from both men?” I shook my head. “I even pointed it out to Feilen when he questioned me.”
“Feilen said he suspected you turned down the courtier because he was watching.”
“Feilen shouldn't judge me on what he suspects, and neither should you. I am not interested in Lahi. He's not masculine enough for me.”
The Sea King cocked his head. “Not masculine enough? Is he a fop?”
I laughed. “Not exactly, but he is a coward, and that annoys me.” I looked him over, remembering King Saric's words. “I prefer brave men who fight monsters.”
“And the Claw?” He stepped closer. “Feilen said your would-be suitor rousted him off the ship, but from what he could see, you were smiling at him a lot.”
“I was smiling a lot?” I snorted. “You own two harems! Two! Are you seriously mad because I spoke to two men? What happened to the 'As long as they don't penetrate you' rule?”
“We changed that rule, if you recall. At your behest, Nadar! I am being faithful to a man for the first time in my life, and you are off flirting with other men. You vowed fidelity to me, and I will have it, or this will end now!”
“Ihavebeen faithful to you.”
He stared at me.
“Ah, I see. You don't trust me.”
“I barely know you. In fact, I was beginning to trust you before you flirted with other men.” Jucai stepped back. “Would you have taken one of them to bed if I weren't here?”
“Would you have fucked one of your slaves if you had stayed in Kansu?”
“No,” he whispered as if he couldn't believe what he was saying. Then, in a rebellious tone, he said it again, “No, I wouldn't have. I am a man of my word.”
“So, I am to trust you even though, in your own words, we barely know each other? You have two harems and fuck women.But I'm supposed to trust you when everyone on the planet is a possible bed partner?”
“Just because I can have anyone, it doesn't mean I can't be faithful. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I've had everyone I've ever wanted, so I'm harder to seduce. You, however, have been very easy to seduce.”
“I'm a Dragon! We fuck people to find our mates.”
He went still. “You think I could be your mate?”
“No, I'm just saying that it's a cultural thing. We are promiscuous out of necessity.”
“So you're more likely to cheat.”
“For fuck's sake, Jucai! Do you think I'd ask for fidelity and then cheat on you the first chance I get? I'm only going to be in Kansu for a week. I think I can manage to be faithful.”
“For only a week? And then your promiscuous nature would demand that you move on?”
“You are twisting my words. I don't understand why you are so upset. I haven't broken our agreement. And what does my nature have to do with anything? I may be promiscuous, but you and your court are worse. I'm shocked that sex means anything at all to you!”
“It does with you!”
I froze, my heartbeat choking me. I'd gone too far, just as I feared I might. He was getting attached. I had to end this. Now. If it went any further, it could ruin relations between our kingdoms. But as I stood there, staring at him, his hair shiningin the moonlight, I couldn't say the words. Even worse, I had enjoyed hearing him say that sex with me meant something.
