Page 75 of Prize for the King
“You’re horny,laruna,” he says with a dark laugh. “Would you like me to make you come so you can sleep?”
I shake my head at once, eyes wide with shock. Arvi cocks an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I’ll only use my mouth, there will be nothing inside you, and you’ll be asleep as soon as I’m done.”
I throb at that, imagining what it must be like, his face right there, his mouth on me, and that piercing… But no. I’ve already gone into reckless,sluttyterritory tonight, and I don’t have any more courage left.
“Goodnight,” I mutter, covering myself with blankets.
Arvi huffs and lies down next to me. “Raduna has the first guard shift. Can I hug you?”
“Yes.”
He wraps his warm, naked arms around me, coaxing me to turn until I face him. He moves closer until my head is tucked under his chin, my face pressed to his chest, and he sighs deeply, tightening his arms around me.
“Now it’s a good night.”
*
I wake up in the morning, Khay’s smiling face right in front of me. I gasp, seeing him so close, and he laughs, touching his nose to mine for the briefest moment.
“I heard you had an adventurous night,” he says with a toothy grin. “I’m a little jealous, but then, I got to torture some spies and see a human prince piss himself, so I’ll count that as an excellent night, as well.”
“You found him? Is he dead?” I sit up, instantly awake and blinking in the golden sunlight falling in through the open window. Raduna sits on the foot of the bed, raising his hand in greeting.
Khay’s smile shrinks, eyes narrowing. “Don’t tell me you feel sorry for him. He’s a whiny weakling who was going to steal you from us.”
I rub my eyes, frustrated. “Not sorry. Just curious. If you hadn’t saved me, I would have been married to that prince by now. So, didyou find out anything?”
“Enough to know we shouldn’t celebrate the end of the war yet,” Khay says with a sigh. “Damn, I’m sorry for snapping at you, my lady. Guess I’m more than a little jealous, but it’s not your fault. Come on, let’s get dressed. Breakfast is being served in the town hall, and Magnar wants to ride as soon as we eat.”
Khay dresses me while Raduna watches calmly. I wear Arvi’s black underpants under my petticoats.
The town hall is filled to bursting with Agnidari soldiers who laugh and snicker when I enter with my knights. I blush instantly, thinking they must be making fun of me, and Raduna leans down to whisper in my ear.
“Behind you and to the left, my queen.”
I turn, my hand flying to my mouth in shock. There he is, the brown-haired prince who was supposed to marry me. He’s very much alive, his legs tied together, arms stretched high above his head and fastened to a pole sticking out of the wall. He’s naked and gagged, his eyes flashing with fear. I walk a step closer as if in a dream, squinting.
They are a muddy brown. Not green at all.
“He’s alive,” I whisper, eyes flicking down to an organ much smaller than Raduna’s. It’s like a big plum sitting on top of a perky testicle sack. I look away, gritting my teeth. It’s ridiculous how after a lifetime of knowing so little, I am now so acquainted with the intricacies of male anatomy, and not just of one sentient species.
“We feel he has omitted some crucial information,” Khay says cheerfully, swallowing a bite of an apple he snatched from the nearest table. “So we’re taking him to the capital. He’ll sing nice and long when we’re done with him.”
A heavy hand falls on my shoulder, and I turn, standing face to face with Magnar. His silver eyes are serious as they study my face.
“How are you this morning, dear?”
“Ready to leave this place.” I drop my voice low, looking around to check if no locals are nearby since I don’t want to offend them. “Did you sleep at all last night?”
Magnar’s face softens, and he smiles. “I’ll sleep when we get home. But darling, I thought you were going to protest our treatment of your neighbor. Don’t you think it’s barbaric?”
I frown and look over my shoulder. The prince’s eyes are on me, big with fear, glistening from tears. I hum in thought, turning to Magnar.
“What’s barbaric is trying to marry a woman who already has a husband,” I reply softly. “I’m sure whatever punishment you have in mind will be suitable for that offense.”
The Agnidari king stares at me, his silver eyes unreadable, until he shakes his head with a small huff.
“How are you so perfect, my queen?”
