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Though the wrath that appeared to consume her was clear on her features, I found myself captivated by it almost as much as her beauty. I wondered if she felt any other emotion besides rage and contempt for us all—did compassion or kindness ever flicker in those emerald depths? Did she ever feel something towards us beyond loathing? Did I want her to?
I’d only healed her clitoral piercing without setting any arousal intention, not desiring a mewling sex kitten like Rhazien, his harem trailing him like a pack in heat. If I ever fucked her, it would be because she wanted me to. My cock pulsed at the thought and the concubine’s eyes widened as I stepped into the bath, the water rising around my legs.
The heat of her gaze trailed all over my skin, her eyes following every plane of my body and locking on my cock, causing it to harden further.
“What are you looking at?” I asked, a smirk playing across my lips.
“Nothing,” she spat, anger coating her features once more.
I let out a soft chuckle, motioning for her to approach the bath. “Come here,Sia,“ I said, my voice low and husky.
She hesitated for a moment before stalking closer. “That’s not my name.”
I shrugged and sank into the hot water, groaning as my muscles relaxed. “Neither is ‘Lily.’” She glared at me, her full lips pursing. Something was refreshing about her open hatred. So different from the false faces in court. “Aren’t you going to ask me what it means?” I prodded.
“No.” She crossed her arms, pushing her ample breasts together and looking down in surprise before adjusting her stance. Carita must have made significant enhancements.
“It’s our word for the desert blossom, Areca.” It was a highly sought-after plant, though harvesting it had perils. A sharp-toothed little creature mimicked the flower with its tail and you could never be sure if you were about to lose your fingers or pick a bloom.
“The drug?” She wrinkled her nose, and I leaned back in the water, spreading my arms over the rim of the tub.
“Indeed.” Fitting, as I already seemed addicted to her reactions. I wanted to goad her, just to see what she’d do next. “The soap is here.”
She narrowed her eyes at me, her voice smoky and dark as her stare. “I thought you don’t touch unwilling women?”
“I don’t. You’ll be touching me.” I said, relishing the look of loathing she shot my way as her hand drifted to the collar I’d put around her throat, claiming her as mine. “And yes, that will prevent you from drowning me.”
“How thoughtful.” She growled, picking up the cloth, and roughly running it over my skin.
“Slower,” I commanded, relaxing further into the bath.
“Asshole,” she muttered under her breath, her ministrations slowing even though they remained just as violent. I grinned, enjoying the way she yanked my hair and how resistant she was to me. She was a challenge, and I was determined to win.
The door to my chamber burst open and Raenisa strode in, her features twisted into a mask of worry.
“Stop playing grab ass with your concubine,” she said in Elvish, handing me a robe that matched my House’s colors. “Your mother is looking for you.”
I groaned, pushing myself out of the bath and grabbing a towel for my hair. Raenisa didn’t react to my nudity, though her attention lingered on Lily’s breasts, fully visible through the white fabric. Possessiveness filled me and I stepped in front of her, blocking Raenisa’s view of her body.
“Did she say why?”
She rolled her eyes and flopped onto the couch, kicking her boots onto the table. “Why do you think, idiot? What the hell were you thinking beating Rhazien?”
I only thought I had to win the woman behind me, and not about the political ramifications at all. “Fuck.”
“Yep.” She popped her lips before grabbing one of the desert peaches from the bowl and taking a bite. She chewed thoughtfully, her eyes studying me. “You can’t keep throwing your weight around like that and expect it to end well.”
Raenisa was not a warrior born and bred, but out of necessity. Out of the high houses, only two eligible females weren’t related by blood to my brother and I. Raenisa and the She-snake, Tannethe, the Empress’s niece and sister to Theodas. When Rhazien had tried courting her, Raenisa had come to me with a proposition. She would join my army under the guise that we were getting closer and avoiding the marriage market together. Since she had zero interest in anyone with a cock and I’d planned on never returning to court, it’d seemed perfect. That we’d become close friends had been an accident, though one I was thankful for. Unfortunately, now the court has been brought to us.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, pulling on some clothes.
With her black hair streaked with blood-red and copper eyes, she cut an intimidating figure. Her curves were deceptively lethal as hidden beneath them were muscles carved from hard-won battles and training. She wore a gold-colored jacket with scarlet enameled fire ants along the shoulders in honor of her House’s crest.
“You know I’m right. This is our chance to get out of this Atar-forsaken desert. Don’t fuck it up.”
I sighed. “I hear you, Rae, I wasn’t thinking.”
“We both know it was your cock leading the way.” She leaned around me to look at my concubine. “She is a pretty thing. What kind of Remnant is she?”
