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Two nights.
Maybe three.
With the difference that I’d kicked Lady whatever-her-name-was out of my chamber shortly after I’d satisfied my needs—and hers, because I wasn’t a selfish ass—like all the other women I bedded. Raven or human, they didn’t get to sleep beside me. Didn’t get to wedge their frigid toes under my calf. And they certainly didn’t get to drool down my armpit.
I stared at the string of saliva clinging to the corner of Galantia’s mouth, not sure what to make of this… languor in my muscles and bones. The storm had calmed hours ago, and I’d developed the need to take a piss around the same time. Why the fuck was she still here?
Because she feltgood.
So soft and small.
Undeniably female.
I ran my marred, numb finger over the small of her back beneath the furs, feeling close to nothing and somehow too much at the same time. Goddess help me, she was so fucking beautiful in my eyes, drool and all.
Maybe it was a good thing I hadn’t kicked her out yet. Obviously, Malyr had gone to her chamber this morning.
How did I know?
Because he was right beside us.
I turned my head in the direction of his thudding pulse, to where he sat in the chair beneath the window. “How long have you been sitting there?”
“Considering that sneaking up on a pathfinder is supposed to be impossible?” His fingers mindlessly pushed at the silver sigil embroidered onto the chest of his black tunic, his features blank, unreadable. “Long enough to wonder if you were passed-out drunk again with how deeply you slept when I came in.”
My molars ground together at a remark that might as well have come from Asker. As if how I spent my personal time was any of their concern, considering that I always showed up for whatever task they had for me…
“It’s been days since I last stepped into a tavern.” Taking Galantia to the library, gathering books for her, making sure she didn’t get herself into trouble at the market… it all carved time from my days. “This one kept me preoccupied.”
Malyr’s gaze drifted to Galantia for the fraction of a second before it found mine again, his jaws shifting. “Yes, I took note.”
When Galantia’s breathing altered ever so slightly at the sound of his voice, I reached into the leather pouch tied to my headboard. I retrieved a white salt crystal, squeezed it in my palm until it shattered, hovered it over Galantia’s head, and let the escaping shadows do their thing. They created a near invisible weave around her face, muffling our voices, if only some.
“I came here, fearing that my plaything had gone amiss,” Malyr said sharply. “Finding a woman in your bed at this hour was strange enough, so imagine my surprise when I realized it washer.”
There was something odd in his tone, strangely close to… jealousy? No, that couldn’t be it. It didn’t run in our blood, least not over a human. We were monogamous beings, sure, possessive and deeply loyal, but only with our bonded mate. So what, then?
Annoyance? Disbelief?
A fart sitting wrong?
I couldn’t quite pin it down, but chanced a smirk. “Surprise? She might loatheyou, but she slipped undermyfurs with little fuss.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, we both know I cannot compete with your well-known… charm.”
“Even someone with the charm of syphilis sores would look like the better option standing beside you, Malyr,” I pointed out. “You’re plain awful to her every chance you get, hurting and humiliating her. It’s driving her straight into my arms… and my bed.”
His jaws hardened, but only until a smug, lopsided grin replaced it. “In your opinion, which one of the two has her moaning and dripping slick down her thighs before she flees into said arms? Cutting her? Degrading her? Politics have kept me busy these days, so I haven’t managed to come to a conclusion yet.”
“Does it matter? In the end, you’re chasing her my way, all wet and confused. She’s so starved for attention that even the tiniest shreds of kindness get you a long way with her.” Why, I wasn’t sure, but I was starting to think she hadn’t received much of either at home. “But like you said before, she doesn’t deserve pleasure from you.” I sharpened my smirk. “Which is fine. I’m better at giving it, anyway. She can drip down the length of my cock and moan my name when she comes apart against it anytime she needs.”
Blowing out a long exhale, Malyr sank deeper into the chair. “Please tell me you didn’t compromise her.”
“No, not even when her tight little cunt begged for it.” And shehadbegged, lifting her hips whenever my cock had nudged at her hole, so fucking ready to be made a woman at last. “Maybe I’ll make her beg some more before I send her on her way.”
“By all means, slake your lust for revenge on Domren’s betrothed while you still can. Brisden reacted faster than I had anticipated.” He stretched out his legs, folding one boot over the other. “Several days ago, two carriages left Tidestone, escorted by a full complement of soldiers. They’re heading southwest along the river. Asker expects them to reach Deepmarsh in a few days’ time, assuming the rapids don’t take down the bridge after this damn storm.”
“So the highborn beauty is going home.” What a fucking shame. I wouldn’t have minded keeping her a while longer. Matter of fact, I quite enjoyed being around her when she was all sweet, flustered, and scared. Fuck, she’d been so scared last night. “Brisden is on his way here?”
