“What’s wrong with her? Is she safe?” Marreth asked, pulling my face enough to point my gaze to him.
“Yeah...she’s safe,” I grunted. “In Rhylan’s fucking arms.” My entire body shook, my face, my tendons, and everything that held me together at the thought and I wanted to be sick again, but there was nothing left for my stomach to release.
My new friend frowned in confusion, waiting for me to explain. “I saw her leaving your general’s room,” I panted.
“And?” he pushed.
“And she looked happy,” I struggled to breathe as I said it but with all my pain, all my concern and ache, Marreth started grinning at me like I was the last idiot in the world.
“Is that it?” he chuckled, relaxing enough to take a seat on the floor next to me.
“Do I need more?” I snapped at him, my eyes wide with the nerve he had to mock my feelings.
“I swear, newly mated couples are the worst. It’s like your brain stops working for some reason,” he waved his head in disapproval.
I frowned and wanted to protest, to explain to him what I felt but Marreth raised a hand to silence me.
“So you are telling me that you are this upset because Rhylan is keeping your woman happy before setting her free? And keeping her away from the royals too, it seems?” His eyes scanned mine in disbelief.
“They were together; they were—” I stopped, unable to say the words, unable to think then, and praying to all the goddesses to be wrong.
“Oh,” Marreth stopped, understanding where my thoughts lead. “You think that a human who came to their version of hell for you, and defied everyone in sight to release you from chains will have a change of heart in a week and seek comfort with the person who did all of this to you?”
I didn’t respond, I couldn’t find the words. Did I really think Anwen would discard me so easily? Had I really let my jealousy overcome my mind in such a way that I started thinking the worst?
“I can assure you that Rhylan hasn’t had sex in at least two days. He may be the strongest of us but even he suffers the effects of the queen’s hunger. And he is scheduled for tonight, so I guarantee he won’t be wasting power with your woman. When my turn comes, I don’t touch anyone for a week and spend my time eating as much as I can and doing minimum effort,” he confessed, a shiver shattering his entire body at the thought.
“Does Rhylan have to partake in it as well?” I asked, surprised. I had heard about it from the soldiers during training. It was an ancient tradition, one that sirens still practiced from time to time during important rituals, but apparently, it was a regular occurrence in the Fire Kingdom. The Queen invited the mightiest warriors to her bed and fed off their energy during the joining, which is why sometimes she looked younger and brighter.
“Oh yes,” the commander responded quickly, “he most of all since he is the strongest being this end of the kingdom. The other two commanders as well, though she never cared much for Crypto. You might have been invited too, had it not been for your outburst during dinner that time.”
I didn’t know which option was worse, becoming a sex slave to a female I did not want to join with or being poked with needles and turned into someone who could kill without hesitation.
“Regardless,” Marreth continued, “Your woman is safe from Rhylan’s advancements, which is the important message here. So let’s get you cleaned and back to her, the poor girl must be going crazy with worry.”
He urged me to stand and led me through different corridors until we arrived inside what I supposed was his room. Lots of weapons decorated the walls, reminding me, yet again, of Vikram. He had a small room, a double bed, a desk, a table, two chairs, and a fireplace, all crammed in one room and a single door which I guessed led to the bathing chamber.
Luckily, he also had a shower so I shoved myself inside of the small doors and turned the tap, allowing cold water to wash away my thoughts and the remainder of my stomach spillage, cleansing my body and mind.
I must have stayed there for a while because Marreth waited long enough until he decided to come in and bring me a pair of pants and a shirt, making a joke about how he wants it cladded in mating smells when I returned it to him.
I smiled and thanked the male for what seemed like the millionth time, then headed back to the corridors, in a desperate attempt to find my room and get back to Anwen, decided to fall to my knees in front of her and apologise a thousand times if I had to.
Unfortunately, the direction my feet led me towards didn’t turn out to be the one I originally planned because a wrong turn brought me face to face with none other than the Queen. She was wearing a black silk cloak and the way her form-fitted the garment made me realise it was the only thing she wore. Marreth hadn't lied then.
I wanted to withdraw immediately, but she spotted me and stopped me with a greeting, which I had no choice but to return.
“Good evening, prince. What brings you here so late?” her voice sounded playful, her tone relaxed for once.
“On my way to bed, Your Majesty,” I responded with a deep bow, hating myself for the reverence she did not dignify.
As soon as I said it, I realised my poor choice of words, because her eyes sparkled, most certainly considering it an invitation.
“Is that so?” the Queen snickered, signalling her guards to part so that she could step closer to me. I tensed when her finger touched my clavicle and started moving downwards, to my chest.
“You look like you could enjoy some company,” she purred deeply, like a female in the heat of the act. This time her full hand replaced the original finger that traced my torso, setting her attention to my abdomen. “It’s been a while since I tasted prince,” the female whispered. “I can guarantee you will have fun.”
Her lips travelled to my neck and, oh my goddess, she sank her teeth in, right below my earlobe. I felt her pinch hard, while the hand that caressed my abdomen progressed to in between my legs, squeezing me in her palm. She stopped biting abruptly and shifted her gaze to find my eyes, wide with surprise and panic.
