Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“The generals…” One touch of him and I did not feel at all like myself. He was the catalyst that would bring me to my knees, a necessary balm to a gnawing need growing deep in my belly. “They must give me their word.”
Groaning in such a way it seemed Cyderial suffered even more than I, my mate worked to restrain his own growing need, murmuring as his lips brushed my temple, “Demand your price, then you are mine.”
With the light growing too bright to tolerate, I faced the trio standing still in the chaos of partnering couples and overturned tables, far too close for my comfort.
Fair, stoic General Boreal and deviously smirking General Murdoch hovered near wherever I went, watching me with their unblinking stares.
General Aegir, silver hair gleaming, blinding, dared smile. Yet there was no joy on General Boreal’s countenance, and even foxlike Murdoch possessed no happiness in that smirk.
In a breathy voice heavily laced with song, I said, “As you know, Maeve has agreed to submit to General Thayer. She does this in full knowledge of what he expects and how it will alter her future.” Leaning into Cyderial, I melted, shut my eyes to the burning light, and knew a gnawing agitation to still be out in the open. “I will grow pregnant, and you three will keep your word to me. You will also keep your distance. You may not interfere with her rearing. I do not care how loudly her song may call to you; you cannot have her until she is fully grown.”
Trembling, I added, “When she is twenty-two, as I am now, she will choose which of the three of you pleases her most—assuming you hear her song. That male will have to earn her affection, as Cyderial earns mine. There will be no infighting or foolishness. Try to take her, and I will make you suffer.”
Looming terrible at my back, gravel in his voice, Cyderial threatened their very lives, “Give Lorieyn your word now, and be done with it—you will support her in gaining sexual education for our females, and you will back away.”
Far too intrigued with my scent to argue the finer points, daring to sup air, General Murdoch was the first to agree. “You have my support. But I will hold the baby after her birth, and updates on her progress will be given. If you wish me to court her, then her personality cannot remain a mystery. Do this, and I will not resort to other means to know my future mate.”
“Fine,” Cyderial agreed.
Fine? No. I did not and would not agree. No one but me would touch my child. Yet before I might hiss my strong disagreement, Cyderial’s palm slid over my throat.
Not in threat.
This grip was something very different.
Something led my eyes to flutter closed, urged me to tip back my head and forget arguing finer details with lesser men.
To trust him to handle everything. A reminder he would take charge now.
I had other work to do.
Important work.
Fiery work deep, deep in my core.
My mate snarled, “Aegir, Boreal, give her your word, or you will never know our child.”
“Of course she has my support!” Aegir sneered, cutting enough that I parted my lashes to find him showing teeth.
Yet, it was Boreal, voice rich with dissatisfaction, who dissented. “I hate you as much as I envy you in this moment, Cyderial. You have my support, but in flaunting this before me, you have lost my friendship.”
“I do not need your friendship. I need to remind you of your place.” Unfriendly, unkind, and aggressive, the male at my back bristled. “You may hear her song in this moment, but this one is mine. Lorieyn was always mine. She was mine all the years of her life. Mine when I lied to you about abandoning my search for a mate. Mine when I heard your sorrows and pretended they were my own.” The sharper edges of Cyderial’s voice softened. “Keep your friendship. I betrayed your trust. But you would have done the same were the roles reversed. Just as you would do anything for the daughter I will help her nestle in her womb.”
“Anything,” General Boreal agreed, but he stared with as much unhappiness as any male might now.
Parting my eyes to look upon the men was like trying to stare into the sun, but I needed reassurance. “Promise me next that each of you will keep her safe.”
Because that terrible fear could not be quashed, even by my growing fever.
All three vehemently gave their word with such authority, supremacy, and command that my lingering fear drifted away.
Daring a step nearer, practically buzzing, Murdoch thought to reach out and touch the swell of my belly.
It was Aegir who threw him back, grabbing the sinewy, dangerous man by the stuff of his coat and chucking him into the empty tables.