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"If she's sweet, reward her," Asterion said, voice low and dark. "But if she's tormenting me,punishher."
I gasped and Asterion smirked at Conall, who laughed and crawled behind me, stroking his hands down my back and lifting my hips.
"Your choice,théa," Asterion said, giving wicked meaning to the words. His smile stretched broadly over his face, such a rare sight it stole my breath.
"I'll be good," I murmured, lapping him clean, stroking my hands up and down, Asterion's tension unwinding and hips flexing to butt his tip against my cheek. Behind me, Conall kissed down my spine, fingers trailing down to dip between my legs and swirl my own slick interest over my sex.
I nipped the side of Asterion's length and he shouted, jolting in my grip. "For now," I added with a grin.
* * *
I stiffenedat the first rattle of wheels on gravel, churning closer from deep in the woods. On either side of me, Hywel and Asterion claimed one of my fidgeting hands, offering me a grounding grip to occupy my nerves.
"I promise you,théa, you'll enjoy their company," Asterion said, twisting to kiss the top of my head.
"And if you don't, I'll eat them," Hywell offered lightly.
Asterion snorted, but Hywel's promise drew a smile out of me, so he said nothing.
"Are Marius and Lillian coming?" I asked. Asterion had been especially tight-lipped about the visitors, and even Conall swore he didn't know, though I suspected he had guesses.
"Marius is keeping an eye on London," Asterion said. And Lillian would remain with her basilisk. "But we can arrange another visit with them, when we're able."
I nodded. I missed the quiet woman, missed riding with her and drinking chocolate. It'd been a long time since I had a friend, and while I certainly didn't lack companionship lately, it wasn't the same. I wanted to spend time with Lillian now that I felt…alive again, wanted to be as kind to her as she was to me.
A bright giggle rang in the woods as two carriages turned around a bend, clearing a line of trees and appearing on the horizon. Well, I certainly wouldn't lack company now. The second of the two carriages was driverless and loaded with luggage, following along after the first, which shook slightly on its wheels. Another cry,lesslike laughter, sounded from the occupied carriage, and I glanced up at Asterion with arched eyebrows.
He winked at me. "That will be Miss Reed and her gentlemen."
The carriage rolled closer, carrying a soft cloud ofnéktarwith it and murmurs of affectionate laughter. I rolled back my shoulders and took a deep breath, letting the power of sensual pleasure chase away some of my stress.
Conall stepped up to my back from behind Asterion, whispering in my ear. "I met them briefly. Flirtatious little human and a pack of monsters that dote madly on her. She stabbed Birsha once."
My eyes widened as the carriage halted, and before I could ask more aboutthat, the flirtatious little human in question threw open the door and jumped down, darting out of reach of a warm brown hand that tried to catch her.
"Asterion!" the woman cried. She was pretty, with rich brown waves of hair that looked tangled from lovers hands. The collar of her dress was unbuttoned and open, and her skirt was wrinkled, but she didn't seem the least bit self-conscious, gaze glittering with mischief as she scanned over us.
Asterion squeezed my hand, releasing to step forward and take hers, bowing over her knuckles. "Miss Reed."
"Oh, Esther, please!" she said, patting over his head and beaming up at him. "We are old friends now, surely. It's good to see you again."
From either side of the carriage, more men poured out. Either the carriage had a charm to increase the size inside, or the group had beenverycozy on the ride. Possibly both.
Hurrying to join Esther Reed was a tall, handsome man with bronze skin, feline features, and a pair of large wings in shades of black and brown and bronze.
"Amon," Asterion greeted, shaking this man's hand and bowing to him too.
With a glance I could tell that whoever this monster was, he wassignificant. His gaze took in the castle, Asterion, and the men who surrounded me with a cool, studying quality, but those warm cat-like eyes paused on Hywel and Laszlo.
"Dragon," he blurted out, eyes widening.
"Sphinx," Hywel answered, smirking slightly and nodding his head.
If I'd been asked if I knew whether a dragon outranked a sphinx, I would've answered I neither knew nor particularly cared. But apparently, in this case, Hywel did rank higher. And Amon, whose wings rustled and who bowed stiffly from the waist, did seem to care. Behind him, the rest of his party eyed one another, exchanging surprised glances.
"I thought you invited us to one of your own homes," Amon said to Asterion.
"Ah, did I give that impression?" Asterion asked in a too-innocent tone that led me to believe he'd known exactly what impression he was giving. "Amon, allow me to introduce Hywel, the Welsh Dragon, King of Dreams, and his mate, Laszlo Bladewing, King of the Western Clouds."
