Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Bout time you woke up,” she says. The air is redolent with her tantalizing, musky talliox scent.
“Did you sleep at all?” I must have been exhausted to have fallen asleep beside her and stayed there. Even after we rut, I’m careful to return to my own bed.
“I did. Eventually. After I spent a good while cursing you for passing out on me when you did. Talk about a cliffhanger!”
I blink, confused as I so often am when she speaks. “A what?”
“Khan,” she says, drawing out his name. A flash of irritation sparks through me at another’s name on her lips. Strange.
“You said you got a message from Khan requesting a meeting. Who is he?”
“The Wanderer King,” I say, yawning and pulling myself up to a semi-sitting position. “Word of your appearance here has reached other kingdoms. The Pyredii are slow to gossip, but they still do it. Khan and his queen asked to talk to me.”
“His… human queen?”
I can sense her excitement through the bond like a joyful melody, and it pleases me. “Yes, sweetheart, his Hoo-man Omega.”
“When are you having this meeting? I assume I’m invited too?”
For the briefest instant, I consider lying to her and calling everything off. Then she turns her head, revealing the mark that ties her to me to the exclusion of all others. The tightness in my chest eases. “Tonight, when the suns set. And yes, you will be there.”
Renee squeals and claps her hands. “Yay! Ohmigosh, this is just the best thing ever!” Then, seeing my face, “Well, not the best thing ever, obviously… it’s just an Earth saying, okay?” She gives me a hurried kiss then scrambles out of the bed. Her naked body tempts me to drag her back to me but she’s already tugging on her gown. “I need a shower. I need to decide what to wear. I have so many questions for the queen. What’s her name?”
“I will make you something to wear,” I tell her immediately. There’s no way I would allow Khan to see her in such a transparent gown. “And her name is…” I cast my mind back to that council meeting so many moons ago, “Emma, I believe.”
“Emma! Emma, Emma, Emma…” Renee is giddy. Warmth spreads through my chest, surprising me. I knew I would be able to sense the Omega’s emotions through the bond but never imagined it would feel quite so vivid.
“Do not forget who owns you, pet,” I remind her. “The meeting will only take place if you agree to do and wear what I say.”
Renee cocks her head, her hands sliding to her hips as they always do when she’s in a defiant mood. “How d’you mean? You gonna make me go naked?”
I bark out a laugh. “Of course not. The very idea is preposterous.”
“Well then. Shoot, I’d probably agree to wear a dang chicken costume if it means I get to hang out with someone in the same boat as me.”
“Chicken?”
“A kind of bird back home. Extremely popular food source.”
“Ah.”
“Do they have far to come?”
“To come?” It takes a moment for me to understand. “Oh, no, they’re not traveling here. We’re meeting via the orbs.”
Her shoulders sag. “Oh.” Then, as is typical for her, she brightens. “Never mind. At least I’ll get to talk to her. She will be able to hear me, right?”
“Of course.”
“And see me?”
“Yes.”
“Excellent! I need to get a shower.” She turns to leave and my gaze wanders—as it always does—to the plump curves of her ass. As if she can feel my eyes on her, she holds up a hand, still walking to the door. “Don’t even think about joining me. I haven’t forgotten last time. And I need to get clean, not filthier. You can either wait, or avail yourself of one of the other facilities.”
I grin at her sass but keep my voice stern. “Are you giving me orders, little Omega?”
“Just this once. Don’t worry, I’ll atone for it later.” With that, she vanishes from my sight.
I stretch my stiff muscles, clamber out of the bed and set off for my own bathroom, already picturing the dress I will make for her.
By the time she joins me in the great room, the garment is finished. “Here,” I say, handing it to her. “For this evening.”
“Thank you!” She holds it up, turning it this way and that. “Gorgeous fabric. It changes color with the light! Now it’s green… and now it looks blue!”
“Just like your eyes,” I tell her. “Want to try it on now? In case I need to make any adjustments.”
“You never need to make any adjustments but I’ll try it on anyhow.” Tugging off the dress she put on after her shower, she pulls the new gown over her head. “Ow. The bite mark is still sore.” But there’s a smug little hum in the bond. Part of her likes the pain.