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Theron’s hand fell away from his sword and he stepped up beside me, slinging an arm around my waist. “Kael is right,” he said, his voice low and steady. “We can’t afford to be divided.”
Xadrian’s gaze flicked between us. For a moment, I wondered if he would continue his provocations, but he only nodded, his expression unreadable. “Very well.”
Theron eyed him. “What about your sister, Caelia? Are congratulations in order? I assume by now she is either wed or amassed an army.”
Raenisa, who had been standing beside me, shifted, her attention sharpening on Xadrian. She had a crush on Caelia, something that was well-known amongst the Harvestmen, but Caelia had trodden on her feelings, prioritizing politics. I’d hoped that Raenisa had moved on to someone who would put her first, but judging by her expression, she still cared for her deeply.
“My sister’s business is her own,” Xadrian said flatly, avoiding my gaze.
“We don’t have the luxury of letting potential enemies amass armies,” I shot back, feeling a pang of annoyance. “We need to know if she’s a threat.”
Xadrian looked at me, his eyes hard. “I’ve been committed to helping the rebellion for years,” he said, pointedly glancing at Theron, who stood beside me, a tight frown on his face. “Neither of my sisters share my sentiments, but they hate the empress just as much as you do.”
A flash of anger filled me, but I tamped it down. This wasn’t the time for arguing. “We need allies,” I pressed. “We don’t have a large enough force to fight on two fronts. Can you see if Caelia will join us?”
“I’ll ask, but don’t get your hopes up,” he warned, his tone still guarded. “My sister has always been stubborn, and she does things on her terms.”
I tried to hide my disappointment, but it was difficult. “Fine. Just let her know that we’re not the enemy.”
Xadrian nodded, his face inscrutable. He turned and strode off, and I watched him go, a mixture of hope and frustration filling me.
Raenisa pulled me out of my thoughts. “Do you think Caelia will help us?” She asked, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes.
I placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll see,” I whispered. “But I hope so. We need every advantage we can get.”
“It’s all right, Rae,” Theron said, his voice steady. “We’ll figure this out. We always do.”
“Theron?” I asked. He hummed in response, his thumb tracing trails on my stomach. “Why does Xadrian think some sort of change is affecting my decisions?”
He choked as Raenisa cackled. “Go on, tell her.”
Theron rubbed the back of his neck, an embarrassed frown pulling at the corners of his mouth. “When Xadrian says transformation, he means your Ascension—the change from mortal to immortal.”
“I figured that out.” I rolled my eyes. “Why would that affect my judgment?”
“Well, the transition makes you crave stimulation--”
Raenisa interrupted. “What he’s trying to say is that you’re going through magical puberty and will want to fuck like crazy. Possibly for days straight.”
My eyes flew open. “WHAT?”
She laughed, the sound seeming to reverberate in the heat that filled the courtyard.
“It’s true,” Theron admitted, his voice strained. “Some people get a little... wild during their Ascension. Xadrian insinuated that’s why you are with me.”
Raenisa shrugged. “I mean, it’s not unheard of. I went through my transition at the family estate. Everyone else left except some of the staff who were willing to help me through it.” She sighed. “So many cocks and not one cunny in sight. You wouldn’t believe the places I got carpet burn. My knees, my cheeks—both sets. And I don’t even like cock all that much.” I laughed as she continued. “And then there was Theron who fucked his way through half the lower court—“
I growled, my hand spasming on my sword. “Excuse me?”
“It’s not like that,Sihaya. I was... overcome.“ His eyes were filled with warmth as he looked at me, apparently enjoying my jealousy. “I wasn’t interested in any of them—I only want you.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine. When he pulled away, the corner of his mouth quirked up into a mischievous grin as he said softly, “You’re the only woman for me.”
My heart stuttered and then raced as I settled into the comfort of Theron’s embrace.
“Good,” I murmured against his chest, breathing in the soothing scent of his skin. “Because you’re mine. I’ll kill anyone who touches you.”
“So fierce,” he breathed, nipping my lower lip. I moaned, leaning into him.
Raenisa cleared her throat, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Excuse me, but some of us are trying to prepare for war.”
