Page 27 of Breaking Ties

Vress was looking at her like he was watching Shark Week.

She ate enough to ease the hunger and looked at him. “You ordered most of this. Aren’t you going to eat more?”

He grinned. “Now I really want you in my arms for traditional seating.”

“Oh, the lap thing? Ra does that to Harwin all the time. It’s really off-putting when she’s breastfeeding.”

He smiled. “I have heard that my eldest brother has a consort.”

“Ah, he has made her Queen of Aten and turned her gold with her name carved all over Aten.”

“So do you crave a title?”

“Nope. I am the oracle. That’s enough. If I am remembered, I want it to be for that.”

Vress smiled. “I think that you will be remembered. I might need therapy, but you will be remembered.”

She snorted, laughed, and ended up coughing on a mouthful. “Thank you, I needed that laugh.”

“I am serious.”

“I know. That’s what’s so funny. I am an oracle. Barring me being crushed by my own temple, you would be stuck with me in perpetuity.”

He blinked. “Really?”

“Really. I am one sturdy bitch.” Aubrey kept eating. “But the incidental funds I asked for are going to go toward snacks.”

He laughed. “A woman of excellent appetites is another addition to your attractions.”

“Great. So the contract is good?”

“Yes. I need only to settle on your bond.”

“Oh. I didn’t think I needed that. Ra has paid my station bond.”

“I still want to make an offering to indicate what I believe your worth is.”

She smiled hopefully. “A cupcake?”

He shook his head and wrote on the tablet. He signed and marked the tablet. “When you finish your frenzy, I will hand this over to you for your signature.”

She laughed and said, “I hope you can wait.”

He snorted. His wing moved to block her from the table. “Now, Aubrey.”

She looked at him. “Fine. Hand it over, Lord Vress.”

He inclined his head and handed the tablet over, moving his wing back.

She took the tablet, read over it, blinked at the bond, and shrugged. “Right. That will take me a while to work off.”

Fifty million standard credits was quite a lot.

She signed, did an ocular scan, and pricked her finger to the side of the tablet. The tablet flared, and the contract locked. She handed the tablet back, and he gave it to one of his guards, who left immediately.

Vress said, “Finally.”

He reached out, grabbed her, and settled her on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck, inhaling deeply. She paused. “What are you doing?”