Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
It was trusting. Attentive. Businesslike.
And none of those were known traits of Serena of the Nadirii.
However, she had fought in the attack on the palace alongside the rest of them, so it could be she wished vengeance, and assisting in finding out who was behind that would take her closer to that aim. That said, she was allowing the Firenz to take the lead for it was their palace that was attacked.
Not to mention, there was an alliance between the Nadirii and Wodell, Wodell opening its mercantiles to the Nadirii to sell their wares (mostly woven baskets, other artisanal works, health tonics and liniments, and magical potions, brews and implements), which was important revenue for The Enchantments.
And although Wilmer was an unpredictable ruler who might, or might not, support the abolition of oppression in Airen, and sustain alliances depending on that decision, True was not so unpredictable.
Therefore, it could be she wished to be certain to keep that secure for her people.
However, the reason he was unnerved by her behavior was that it appeared she was simply what her manner suggested.
Trusting.
Attentive.
Businesslike.
She was a fierce warrior, and a very skilled one.
And Chu was not mistaken about her reputation. It was known widely she was so unpleasant and hostile as to be reviled by many, and it was feared Ophelia would leave the Nadirii to her rule, which many considered, with her disposition, would be catastrophic.
His king did not trust Serena with the information he’d trusted Chu to give to her.
He trusted Chu to have her in hand.
And Chu had her in hand, in play.
What Chu did not trust was that he had her in hand.
She detested her sister, did not hide it and took every opportunity to share this with her sibling.
And as far as she knew, they were riding to where her sister was, which was why Chu suspected Serena was behaving reasonably.
In order that the bully would be closer to her favorite prey.
But in the days that followed, as they rode, she was quiet and demonstrated (further, for he already knew this) that she was an immensely competent horsewoman, and openly enamored and caring of her steed. She did not complain that they rode under the hot sun. She did not protest that they bedded on blankets in the sand with no cover but the stars. She did not worry about insects and snakes attacking her in the night. She did not bemoan the chill that invaded the air when the sun left the sky. She did not take issue with infrequent meals, less frequent baths, and she wasted no time on her appearance.
They were on a mission and she, seemingly, was absorbed in getting on with it.
This was a problem for Chu.
For he admired all of this.
And, his mission, with Serena, was to make her slave to his cock, and onward from that, his command, and she might have been an inadequate lover in routine bedplay, but she was an exceptional submissive.
This, as well as being very easy to gaze upon. So much so, she needn’t take time on her appearance. This came naturally.
Now, he knew more of her, and like most men, Chu enjoyed sex in a variety of incarnations, particularly Master and slave, but he had always selected partners who were explicitly feminine and acquiescent in aspects of life, as well as play.
Serena was not that and he found the duality more intriguing than he should.
She rose from the water, wearing nothing, her lithe body slick and glistening in the moonlight.
She cast a glance his way as she did so, sharing she would be open to his command, something he had not given her since they embarked on their journey, except for him to share he did not wish for her to wear her bodystocking in sleep, just her tunic.
He knew, at first, she found this indication he would call upon her in the night, but as yet, he hadn’t.
To regain his equilibrium, he decided that night, he would.
He did not make note of that then.
He rose, disrobed, and moved to the water to bathe himself.
He knew she had her eyes on him as he did so, but he didn’t even glance her way.
He fully dressed again after.
Chu then went to his blanket which was spread three feet from hers, his saddle rug rolled up at the top to act as a pillow.
She was sitting on her blanket, knees up, arms loose around her calves, staring at the gentle flowing Tebes.
He sat, then fell to his side, head toward the river so he could see her face, torso up on a forearm. He stretched out his legs.
“Tell me about your sister,” he ordered.
“Elena is not my favorite subject,” she replied.
“This was not a request, my mouse,” he said softly.
She did not turn her head, but her eyes darted to him.