Page 74 of The Last Slayer
He didn’t even bother to look at me. Shrugging, he shoved more food down his throat while I struggled to maintain the pleasant smile on my face. What the hell was wrong with him? Never been fed before? He was eating so fast I thought he might choke. Actually, I kind of wished he would. I’d have so loved to pound on his back.
“Did you win?” Nahemah said.
“I’m sorry?”
“You mentioned that Nathanael caught you out. Surely he didn’t just say hello.” Nahemah popped a white grape into her mouth and frowned prettily. “I suppose he tried to kill you, and Leh was fetchingly distressed by the entire situation. A skirmish…perhaps a duel was fought. No?”
“Yes.” I shoved a forkful of octopus into mouth.
I would have been killed if it hadn’t been for Leh. Yet to reveal every detail of the fight would tell Nahemah how much influence Leh had over Nathanael. I had no problem with Nahemah using the information against Nathanael, but there was no guarantee she wouldn’t use it to hurt Leh.
Better safe than sorry.
Nahemah’s eyebrows were high on her forehead. “Remarkable. Not many face Nathanael and escape unscathed.” Her gaze flickered toward Ramiel for just an instant. “But perhaps you injured him and forced him to back off…or killed him.”
“It ended in a draw.”
Close enough to the truth. To be honest, even if I had the two remaining heartstones, I didn’t know if I could win against him. Not at my current skill level. He was obviously the leader of the Madainsair, and from all accounts a complete badass.
A lilith began kneading Ramiel’s shoulder muscles, and he sighed and leaned closer to her. It was just an innocent massage…except the lilith was whispering softly into his ear, and his lips curved into a dreamy smile.
“How did Leh react after you took her heartstone?”
I had some difficulty turning my attention back to my hostess. “She’s all right. Probably resting.”
Nahemah made a contemplative humming noise, keeping her eyes on me. “Did she give you anything else?”
“Just some answers about my life.” I wasn’t about to tell her I’d received the key to Nathanael’s Harmonia Chamber. I had a feeling Nahemah would want the vials for herself. And there had been no promise that she wouldn’t try to rob me blind.
A samael went around the seat to massage her shoulders. She arched her back as she leaned into his ministrations. “Well, I’m glad Leh’s fine after the extraction. It would have been unfortunate otherwise. Nathanael would have another reason to kill you.”
Like he needed more than one. He wanted me dead plenty enough already. Would have succeeded if it hadn’t been for Leh. Remembering the fight by her cottage made me tense, and on cue, the samael at my feet leaned over and started massaging my calves. He had just the right touch to ease the tightness in my legs. My lilith poured another glass of wine for me.
Another samael started rubbing my neck. Damn. Nahemah had a whole harem of exceptional masseurs.
“My pets are very eager to please our guests,” Nahemah said with a relaxed smile. “They strive to ensure you have a total sensual experience here at all times. I hope you appreciate their efforts.”
“Mmm,” I murmured. The samaels’ expert hands were turning my muscles into water. I could get used to this.
Ramiel also seemed to be enjoying the three liliths who were kneading him. The one at his feet grew bolder, her hand drifting toward his crotch. He didn’t make any move to stop it.
My eyes narrowed. We weren’t an official couple or anything, but could he at least have the decency to push her hand away? I mean, we’d shared Sex just an hour before.
There are times when I wonder why I haven’t turned lesbian.
The samael who was attending to my calves migrated upward to my thighs. They hurt from bumping into things when I was trying to avoid Nathanael’s blows, and I didn’t see why I should deny myself. In order to spare Ramiel’s sensibilities? Ha! He had none.
Ramiel’s eyes closed. Even through his clothes, I could see the outline of his arousal. It absolutely infuriated me. If I had been alone with him… But there was our hostess to think about. I’d promised her I’d dine with her, not provide the gossip item for the month.
Even as my brain fumed, my muscles grew languid, my limbs heavy. It was as if I were back in the Lunar Pool, minus the emotional catharsis. I sipped my wine again and felt its coolness travel to my stomach.
The hands on me grew hotter and more skilled, a nice lovely long stroke here, slow kneading there. Nahemah had been right. The Lunar Garden did indeed provide a total sensual experience.
Yet something was very wrong. My gut burned like it always did when one plus one didn’t add up to two. I focused on the scene before me. Nahemah had an amused expression on her face—as always—and Ramiel was enjoying the touch of the liliths. My samaels were doing their best to please me.
What was wrong? What was I not seeing?
One of the liliths lowered her face to Ramiel’s crotch and I watched him dig a hand roughly into her hair.
