Page 76 of Jeweler to the Blessed
“Easier said than done. The Cursed King may have nightmare magic, but King Rodric can wipe away the memory of it,” I said.
Hart’s jaw clenched. Then, the alcove curtain parted. A man and woman stumbled in. The man’s hand caressed the woman’s neck, moving south, and the adamas gem on his finger flashed orange.
“This one is occupied,” Hart grumbled.
“Doesn’t look like it.” The man’s gaze lingered on the space between Hart and me—the space that proved he wasn’t currently taking.
I hoped never to be on the receiving end of the glare Hart gave in return.
“I don’t expect everyone to understand that there is a finesse to the process,” he said pointedly. “Rushing only disappoints your partner.”
He glanced at the woman, whose eyes widened as his words registered. She turned and stormed out of the alcove, the man chasing after her.
“Is that true?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.
Hart rounded on me, and a smile curled his lip. “I’d be happy to help you find out.”
He leaned forward, and my heart was in my throat. I hoped he couldn’t hear the erratic beats it made as the distance closed between us.
“Blessed take emotion. When collecting lust, to continue to make it…enjoyable for one’s partner, you have to stoke more lust than you take.” He glanced over his shoulder at the retreating Blessed. “His focus should be entirely on his partner’s satisfaction.”
My throat was dry at his words.
His focus returned to me, his body caged mine on the seat now, and he whispered in my ear, “I do need to be a bit closer now. He’ll complain to Ava. We need to make this more convincing.”
I tried to swallow and ended up clearing my throat instead.
He lifted his hand, reaching for a strand of my hair that had fallen into my face. “You alright with that? I won’t touch your skin.”
Disappointment curled in my stomach. “Alright.”
He studied the hair as he wrapped it around his fingers. “What’s your next question?”
Forming a complete sentence was a challenge. He knew the Feared and didn’t make it sound like the Cursed King was a real threat to me. I wasn’t sure I believed it, but maybe Mother’s line was really fromChampions of Kavios. I could check in the morning.
For now, I needed more truths from Hart. “You saw the king’s magic at the Cornucopia.”
He tucked the hair behind my ear, careful not to touch me. “That’s not a question, Chaos.”
“What was he doing?” I breathed.
Hart’s hand moved to my hip. His other hand was hidden beneath me, so those around us could not tell where it lingered. “You know what he was doing.”
Even with the layer of clothing between us, his touch was like a brand, burning through to the skin beneath. The stories of siren songs luring unsuspecting sailors to their doom flashed through my thoughts. I grasped for a composure that was steadily slipping through my fingers.
I pushed Hart’s shoulder back, and he rolled with my guidance. He ended up seated in the chair, and I crawled onto hislap, hovering just above him. The flex and grip of his fingers at my waist said he wasn’t as unaffected as he appeared.
He reached again for a blond strand that had freed itself with my movement. “Careful, Chaos. We don’t need to make thisthatgood of a show.” He closed his eyes momentarily as if reminding himself of the question. “The king used his magic to calm the populace, to lull them into a sense of safety.”
His thumb stroked my hip. I tentatively placed my hands on his chest, bracing against the strength of him.
This was a terrible idea. “It’s not the only time he’s done such a thing.” That was another statement. Quickly, I added, “Is it?”
Hart’s chuckle was low and dark as his thumb slid across my hip again. “It’s not.”
I leaned forward, my mouth hovering just above his ear. My knees spread wider of their own accord, sinking me lower over his lap. His length was hard beneath me. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment for the seconds I had before I unleashed my treasonous suspicion. “He uses it on the populace regularly. He makes them complacent in Kavios, so they won’t want to leave.”
Hart’s piercing gaze held mine as I pulled away. He didn’t correct me this time, even though there was no question in my words. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, and then he nodded.
