Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“I suppose.” The dragon squints with great interest. “I’ve never seen a human this close before. Well, unless I was eating them. But to be truthful, I haven’t bothered to take stock of their anatomy, as they’re usually cooked by then.”
“You’re scaring her,” Arcus scolds the beast, though nothing in my manner suggests fear. In truth, I feel much safer with the man-eating dragon than the sadistic king behind me. He arranges some cushions to lounge upon and pats the spot beside him. “Come. Sit with me.”
I fix my most pleasing smile upon my face and go to him, sinking down on the cushions. He pulls me to his side and sighs with contentment. He calls out, “We’re ready.”
The whole of the basket lurches with the movement of the dragon as it stretches its back and, with a mighty, deafening woosh of its wings, takes to the sky. The wind passes over our heads, broken by the shelter of the tightly woven walls around us. I consider my reaction and decide to throw myself fearfully across Arcus’s chest, clinging to him and trembling.
He chuckles at my feigned fright. “Cenere, my sweet. I would never allow harm to come to you.” He pauses. “At least, nothing I couldn’t undo.”
“Your Majesty is so thoughtful.” I sit up as if suddenly realizing my behavior and begin to apologize profusely. “Oh, Your Majesty! I am so sorry. I should never have put my hands—”
He takes one of the named parts and guides it to his cock. “You may touch me however you like, Cenere.”
I blush and dip my head. “I’ve never spent so much time in the company of royalty.”
“I have never spent so much time in the company of a contradiction. One moment, you’re shy and respectful. The next, seductive, and hungry to be used.” His voice is full of wonder. “You are a delightful puzzle to me.”
He leans forward and finds a crystal bowl of succulent red syrup berries, selects one, and says, “Open your mouth.”
I obey, and he squeezes the berry. Its skin splits and the center, like liquid ruby, falls onto my tongue.
He groans. “I would fill your mouth in other ways, Cenere.”
I swallow and whimper, “Oh, yes, please.”
“When we’ve reached our destination,” he says, and pops the berry into my mouth. It’s delicious, and tastes of violet petals. “Right now, I’d like to talk.”
Between bites of fruit and cheese that he feeds me, he questions me. Where am I from? How did I meet Luthian? What about the Court of Pleasure and Torment draws me, and how do I enjoy it so fully, when humans are known to be reserved and proper?
The first two, I answer exactly as I practiced with Luthian. The third, however, is not one I’ve thought of, and it takes me longer to answer.
“I suppose,” I begin hesitantly, “my interest was simply due to my husband’s desire to return. In truth, I dreaded it, a bit. He took time to teach me what to expect, though, and his talent as a lover and a guide drew out something in me that I didn’t know was there.”
My answer, it seems, is not the correct one. Arcus’s expression goes dark. He looks away from me and responds petulantly, “Oh, yes. I have heard rumors of Luthian’s prowess.”
“All exaggerated,” I quickly assure him. “Once I arrived here at court and sampled the delights to be had with you, Your Majesty, I gained more...perspective.”
There is a strange, mean thrill that comes with denying Luthian’s talents. It’s all a lie, but one that I hope would hurt him if he overheard, the way he has hurt me with his callous behavior and betrayal.
But was it truly a betrayal? I ask myself. Luthian never promised to fall in love with me. Never promised to not fall in love with someone else. And I don’t know if he loves Firo.
But Luthian left me, when I begged him to stay, and spent the night with Firo, instead.
My stomach pitches as the dragon suddenly dives. This time, when I cling to Arcus, my fear is genuine.
He seems to love it. “We’ve arrived, my treasure.”
Treasure. A thing to be owned and prized. Another clue he’s given away that will help me further manipulate him, for treasure is sought out and won. He won’t be satisfied if I merely give myself to him. He wants to pursue me, but he needs to be assured that he will win me in the end.
I can use that.
The dragon lands in a forest clearing. When Arcus takes us to the ground, I say, “Your Majesty, I hope this does not end with me in another labyrinth, waiting for you to hunt me down.”
“I did not mean to disappoint you,” he says. “Consider this an apology for the pleasure you missed.”