Page 79 of The Pleasure Contract

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I stay in my father’s chambers for only a few minutes more before palace staff come to tell us that the dinner party is moving to the smoking rooms.

My father waves me on, claiming he is too tired to rejoin the evening. He stands as I am giving him my goodbyes – almost as if he expects that we might embrace as family members do. We have never done such a thing, and I debate for a moment or two, feeling as awkward as an adolescent drak learning to fly. After hesitating, I decide to give in and wrap my arms around his frame, patting him on the back as I would either of my brothers or any of my teammates. He is stiff in my arms, and a lot smaller than I’d ever imagined he’d be. But the shaky breath he lets out, and the way he eventually returns the embrace has me realizing just how much he’d needed the contact.

My head is a jumble of thoughts as I blindly follow behind a footmale, leading me to the smoking rooms to rejoin the other guests. I do not quite know how to feel about the news of my father’s health.

Or what to expect when he passes.

Kiahn would probably raise him from the dead to kill him all over again if he names him his successor for the title of king.

My father is not wrong, though. Kiahn would make a good king.

“Az!” I hear as soon as I set foot into the smoking room. My mood brightens the moment I see my female excitedly heading toward me, a glorious smile on her face. “Oh, my God, Az! You’ll never guess what!”

“What is it?” I ask, drinking her in, an answering lazy grin on my lips at seeing her just so damn happy.

“Glex is actually listening to me!” she whispers, looking around and waving at where the male in question is standing, a maleservant topping up his bubbling drink. He grins, lifting the glass as if toasting my Lois from afar. Things are going remarkably well, then. “I am glad. I knew you could make him see sense.”

“And that’s not the best bit! He’s invited me to stay with him so we can discuss the plight of abducted humans, Niska’s plans, the refugee planet – all of it!”

Every part of me freezes. My breathing, my brain – even my heart.

34

Lois

Icould tell Az wasn’t happy at me being invited to stay with Glex. The way he’d gotten so tense, I wasn’t sure if he was going to go and bust the other male’s skull open just for the invitation, or crack his own teeth from how tightly he’d clenched his jaw.

Anyway, after much fussing and reassurance that Zek would be with me at all times, and that, sure, Glex seems to be a power-hungry male on a mission for everyone to love and revere him, he seems to be more the type to get a hard-on for his own status rather than anything sexual or violent.

Obviously, never-say-never. Dangerous men of all kinds of species are experts at hiding that danger from others. But, like I said to Az while Zek and I were leaving the palace with Glex and Zyre instead of him and his teammates – the whole reason I’m here at the Capital is to convince Glex to care about humans. It would be silly of me to turn down this invitation. Especially now that he actually seems interested in helping.

Besides, Az and the boys have a big game against Zyre’s team – for real this time – in just over a week. I’m sure Varrex will appreciate the training hours without me around to distract their First Drak Rider.

Glex’s city residence has the same vibes as Az’s penthouse apartment, except for the fact that Glex’s home spans the whole of a high-rise building. I’m pretty sure there’s some floors in this place that are completely unused.

Zek and I arrived here last night after dinner at the palace. Unfortunately, Glex had pretty much disappeared as soon as we’d stepped foot over the threshold – not before murmuring instructions to his staff to see us to the guest floor.

That’s right – a whole floor, just for us.

Not long after, a staff member brought me some of my things from Az’s, smiling politely after I’d exclaimed at how quickly they were able to get them for me. Zek had swiped the bag of my belongings from the poor male’s hands, muttering something about the proper folding techniques of human garments.

Despite the relief of finally feeling like I might be getting somewhere with Glex, I found it difficult to sleep that night. I told myself it was just because I wasn’t in my own bed at home. Not that Az’s apartment is ‘home’, but… well, it feels more like home than here.

Az calls me pretty much as soon as the sun starts peeking over the city skyline, his name blinking on DJ’s spherical surface. I swipe to answer, not bothering to lift my head up off the pillow. “Too early,” I groan into the soft cloud of feathers, wrapped in the finest linen Xaviann money can buy.

“It’s never too early to see your face.”

I turn my head, seeing that this is a projected video call instead of a voice one like I’d assumed. Pushing the mess of hair from my face, I roll my eyes, making sure he can see the gesture.

And Az… well, he just lies there and watches me, a backdrop of his own pillows, one big, muscular arm thrown back behind his head – his bicep looking mighty bite-able right about now.

“I did not sleep,” he confesses easily, his morning voice deep and raspy. “I cannot sleep without a cuddle.”

I snort and burrow further into my sheets, trying to hide the raspberry red my cheeks are most definitely turning right about now. “Go ask Varrex, I’m sure he’ll oblige.”

“He does not snore the way you do. It is not the same.”