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Joya waved her hand toward the minotaurs who were now directly in front of Levet, leaping high in the air and performing spectacular flips.
“These are our finest dancers,” Joya murmured.
“They aretrèscolorful.” Levet’s eyes widened as he realized their horns were glittering in the torchlight. He thought at first they were painted, but as they came closer he could see the unmistakable flash of priceless emeralds and rubies. “Perhaps I should have my horns encrusted with gems.”
“The process begins when they are still calves,” Joya explained. “I am told it’s quite painful, but the results are spectacular.”
“Painful, eh?” Levet lifted his hand to touch one stunted horn. He was not a fan of pain. Especially when he was the one in pain. “Maybe the natural approach to beauty is best.”
“Indeed,” Joya quickly agreed. “You are flawless.”
“Right?” Levet heaved a sigh. How many times had he attempted to convince others of his sheer perfection? It seemed absurd that he was the only one who recognized his excellence. “I wish you could convince Inga of that.”
Joya tilted her head to the side, a strange expression on her face. “Is this Inga your mate?”
Levet’s wings fluttered, a lump forming in his throat. That felt like a dangerous question.
“She is…” He shifted uncomfortably on his throne, a large amethyst poking into his unmentionables. It was difficult to define his relationship with Inga. Not until he had an opportunity to discover why she would no longer answer his calls. “A friend,” he finally conceded.
“There are many females here who would be willing to be your friend. They are prepared to worship you in whatever way you desire.”
Levet considered her soft promise, temptation whispering through the back of his mind.
“I have never been worshipped before.”
Joya stroked a hand over his wing. “It is your destiny.”
Levet shivered in ecstasy. There was nothing better than having his wing stroked. Well, obviously it would be better if Inga was doing the stroking, but still…
“Worshipping does seem appropriate considering I am a hero,” Levet agreed.
“As you wish.”
Levet wasn’t sure what he expected. Perhaps a few minotaurs kneeling at his feet, or a song in honor of all his great deeds. He’d once tried to hire a minstrel to wander around the world and spread the word, but the stupid fairy had taken his money and disappeared. There was a teeny-tiny chance that the creature had been eaten by a dragon, but that didn’t excuse his lack of success.
Instead, Joya gave another clap of her hands and a dozen female minotaurs appeared from an entrance across the arena. They were wearing long robes that sparkled in the torchlight. Levet watched in fascination as they started to dance, grabbing their robes and tearing off pieces of cloth. No, wait. He frowned. They weren’t wearing robes, they were covered in flimsy scarfs. And each time they passed in front of him they were pulling one off and tossing it toward the throne.
“Wait.” The fuzzy pleasure that lingered from the potent ale was abruptly shattered as Levet held up his hands, waving at them in a stop-it-now gesture. “What is happening?”
“These females are here to please you.”
“Why are they taking off their clothing?”
Joya looked confused. “You prefer males? That can be arranged.”
“I prefer everyone to leave their clothing on.” Levet grimaced. There had been a time when he would have fully enjoyed the show. The minotaurs were lovely creatures, even if they had kidnapped him. But he wasn’t interested in other females. Not now. “If Inga were here, she would bash me with her very large fork.”
“Fork?”
“Her Tryshu,” he explained, referring to the fabled trident that only the true leader of the merfolk could touch.
Joya’s jaw clenched, as if she was becoming aggravated with Levet’s refusal to enjoy the dancers.
“If you will tell me what sort of entertainment you desire, I can arrange for it.”
Levet hopped off the throne. The feast had been fun and he wished he had the recipe to make a few barrels of that ale. It was worth its weight in gold. But now he was done. He wanted to take a little nap, then travel to the merfolk castle to see Inga.
“I believe I should return to my rooms.”
