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I gave her a brittle smile. “A question I’ve asked myself as well.”
And I had. Mates bonded for life. Eyes only for each other. I couldn’t be seen with another woman leaving my bed chambers, nor could I be caught leaving anyone else’s. I’d considered the possibility of glamour to seek out that level of intimacy, but the deceit it entailed wasn’t a solution.
No, the obvious one was right in front of us, and I was neither blind nor fool enough to ignore it. The attraction was there. For sex, that was all that was needed. If she wanted children, we could have them. I had little to no doubt that I could make her body sing for me. But Dannika was unpredictable, while still being level-headed. I didn’t know what she wanted for the future, or what she’d envisioned before this life I’d trapped us both in.
I should ask her.
“You haven’t answered it then, I gather?” Ysa continued, and when I didn’t respond, she hummed. “I figured as much.”
“I had no idea you cared about my sex life,” I countered, curious as to where this particular line of questioning was coming from.
Her expression hardened. “I don’t care about yours, Elias. Fuck or don’t. You make your own choices in this. I only wonder if you’ve considered hers,” she said, her tone flat.
“I haven’t,” I admitted. At least not beyond what it might look like with me. If she didn’t want to extend the nature of our agreement, though . . . I sat back, releasing a sigh. The silence stretched between us. “She did agree to this arrangement.”
Ysa gave me a deadpan glare. “Death or pretend mate?” She barked a laugh. “Yes, I’m sure she had time to consider the future of her life as queen and how any of her physical needs would be met. Don’t be an asshole. You’re better than that.”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was rare that Ysa was this straightforward with me. “I didn’t expect you to be concerned about Dannika’s well-being. Color me shocked.”
Tipping her head to the side, she made no move to react with emotion. “She is to be my queen, whether the truth of your bond is real or not. It’s my job to be concerned for her, in all ways.” She sniffed, twisting her nose a little as she did. We both knew I couldn’t argue her point. “Besides,” she said, shrugging a single shoulder, “depriving someone of sex for a lifetime is just cruel, which you certainly can be, but not to those you care about.”
“Noted,” I said. “I’ll take your council under advisement and . . . come up with something.”
She couldn’t—wouldn’t be with another man or woman, physically or otherwise. If she were truly opposed to the only real viable solution, things would get complicated. Messy. Bitter. That was the very situation I was trying to avoid.
But like I’d told Ysabeau, we had time. She may not have been open to it yet, but months or years from now? Something told me I’d have her beneath me eventually. If the lust riding me wasn’t enough, celibacy would do us both in.
Ysabeau nodded once, pushing the sunglasses she wore up her nose after they’d slid down a fraction. She’d made her point and was satisfied she’d put me in my place. I could see that she’d enjoyed that.
“Anything else you’d like to scold me about before we handle the main agenda of the day?” I asked, starting to twirl my pen through my fingers.
She smiled broadly, her fangs on full display. “I think that’s enough for now.”
“Good. Call Mathis. I’ve been looking forward to this moment.”
Ysa reached into her pocket, pulling out a silver remote and pressing buttons. I crossed my arms behind my neck, cradling my head as I looked at the mounted screen on the wall. Magic buzzed around it, pulling the spell forward that allowed us to make video calls in this dystopian post-human-led world.
Some considered it the downside of magic being revealed to the mundane over time. Their work and technology had slowly disappeared, forcing that machinery to be swapped out with magically imbued replacements. Once the last portal had opened in Portland, the entire world had then known of supernatural existence, and chaos had ensued. The Great Sacrifice treaty had stopped the wars, but what humans were left were truly expendable. What could they offer the Houses? Not many viewed their skills as valuable. Their work and jobs had become worthless. We made up for most of it with magic. I could deal with the changes. I just wished the entertainment industry had continued. So many cliffhangers, and we’d never know the ending. It was a travesty.
Ysa cleared her throat, then tilted her head toward the screen.
Static crackled, and Mathis slowly filtered into view.
His smug face took up most of the screen.
“What do you want, Elias?” he said, annoyance filling his tone.
“It is a pleasant day, isn’t it?” I asked, ignoring his question.
His expression remained flat, but his irritation was clear. “Has my son killed that bitch and her dog yet?”
“No, I’m afraid not,” I said, shaking my head. “But that is the reason I wanted to call you.”
“I know what you did after the commemoration. Andreas passed on your message.”
“What a good boy he is,” I mocked. “I hope you gave him a treat.”
He narrowed his eyes, and his brow twitched. “I know what you’re doing, Elias. It won’t work.”
