Page 37 of Every Eligible Man

I've never been prouder of him.

"That's not how this works," I say tiredly, watching Gerald get restrained by a guard in thick leather gloves. "The ferret is supposed to recognize his owner. Not fight other ferrets for dominance."

"I thought perhaps they could be friends."

"Gerald doesn't have friends. Gerald has victims."

I hold out my arm and Gerald scrambles up it, still bristling with battle rage.

"Next."

HOUR SEVEN: THE GRIM REALITY

I catch a glimpse of Mira's tally sheet over her shoulder.

Inspected: 156

Boot fits: 23

Glove fits: 8

Both fit: 4

Ferret approved: 0

Cock approved: 0

Made Cinder laugh: 1 (rejected anyway, wrong curve)

Made Cinder yawn: 47

Made Cinder visibly recoil: 12

Currently crying in courtyard: 34

Bitten by Gerald: 29

Fled before inspection: 8

Fainted during inspection: 3

I slump on my throne. Gerald is stress-eating a button he's stolen from someone's doublet.

"How many more?" I ask.

"Approximately four hundred waiting," Mira replies. She's stopped trying to hide the drinking. "And more arriving every hour."

Four hundred more.

Four hundred more opportunities for disappointment.

Four hundred more cocks that aren't the ones I'm looking for.

I close my eyes and let myself remember. Just for a moment.

The way Ash's massive hands gripped my hips. The way Slade's tongue noticed everything. The way Wreck made me laugh and scream in the same breath.

Where are they?