Page 55 of What Fury Brings
“A bit lower, Athon. I’m not so tall.”
Athon awkwardly lowered himself further, and then Glen sat, using his back as a bench.
Andrastus’s breathing picked up, and Olerra weighed her options.She could leave, allowing Glen more time alone with the two women who now held the most sway over their futures.
Or she could remain to try to garner more favor, yet risk Andrastus saying something stupid. Thankfully, no one was speaking to him directly, and Olerra was sure he wouldn’t just voice—
“Something to say?” Glenaerys asked of the prince.
Olerra held in a groan.
Sanoshatedthis woman, perhaps even more than he hated Olerra.
He took longer to answer than was probably acceptable, but the time was necessary to think of an adequate response. He remembered that he and Olerra were supposed to act like they were fucking, and he knew that anything to do with Olerra angered Glenaerys.
He said, “I was just thinking that when I’m underneath Olerra, she ensures the experience is pleasurable for the two of us. I’m lucky to have been chosen by her and not you.”
It appeared to be exactly the thing to say.
Cyssia laughed and clapped. “He has a wicked tongue.”
Olerra picked up her goblet. “In more ways than one.”
Usstra, however, remained unreadable. She eyed Sanos. “You dislike Glenaerys’s firm hand?”
“I dislike bullies.”
Usstra nodded. “Me too.”
Sanos couldn’t help but smile as he turned back to Glen. She had her arms crossed, her mind working. Sanos instead turned to Olerra, who looked so proud she might be ready to kiss him. He really hoped she wouldn’t. He wanted to hurt her cousin. Never mind that it helped Olerra simultaneously.
“Bully?” Glen questioned. “Athon was a nobody before I graced him with my favor. Are you displeased with my attentions, Athon?”
Then, remembering the harness, Glenaerys undid the straps at the back of his head. A glob of saliva slid from his mouth as the contraption was removed.
He swallowed and breathed deeply before answering. “No, mistress.”
“Do you miss your soldier life?”
“No, mistress.”
“Are you happier now?”
“Yes, mistress.”
“A man who cannot answer truthfully without fear of reprisal is going to say what you wish to hear,” Sanos said.
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
Olerra looked worried. She put her hand on Sanos’s hip, but he ignored it. “You can beat him all day long without fear of consequence. If he makes you bleed, his life is forfeit.”
Glen snorted. “I heard in your country that women who are unfaithful to their husbands are executed. Even a rumor of infidelity will ruin their entire lives. But there is no such punishment for men who fuck women who aren’t their wives. Is this true?”
Sanos was so sick of women turning Brutish ways against him. “It is.”
“This is why I would never stoop so low as to wed a Brute,” Glen said emphatically. “Their habits are foul. Olerra dishonors herself by bedding one.”
Cyssia looked at Sanos with a considering gaze.
