For the first time, the Breeder in his lap showed a hint of genuine interest. “And did it? Help her bond?”
“It’s hard to say, but she does tell me I look like my uncle did. Do you have siblings? My parents only had me, but my mother’s bond with her brother was something special.”
Kesh could sense the softening in Georgia’s posture against him and shot Ed a begrudgingly impressed look. There was a zero percent chance the casual question about her brother was a coincidence. Unlike the other suitors, Ed hadn’t been picked for his valor won on the battlefield. As the prince’s Master of Spies, his home was in the shadows, among secrets and whispers. No doubt he’d learned all there was to know about the Breeder before arriving to court her.
“I have a younger brother,” Georgia said quietly. “Larry.”
“You love him very much.” It wasn’t a question, confirming Kesh’s suspicions.
Georgia nodded. “He’s the most important person in the world to me. You said your mother’s bond with your uncle was very special. Did something happen to him?”
“Time, I’m afraid. She and my father mated in 1890. Her brother passed from old age in 1953.” Ed noticed her surprised expression as the math sank in and smiled wryly. “I take it no one’s explained that demons don’t age like humans do—and that this extends to our mates, once the bond is in place?”
“No. They haven’t.” Georgia shot Kesh a look over her shoulder before returning her focus to Ed. “So everyone I love will die, and I will remain behind?”
The slight tremor in her voice caused a pang of something unpleasantly close to guilt to tighten Kesh’s gut, but before he could think of a response that wouldn’t just further upset her, Ed stepped in.
“Not everyone, Georgia. You will have a mate and, fate willing, children. My mother mourned her human family’s passing, but the pain has dulled with time. She is content with my father’s love now—and mine, of course, when I visit.”
“Your father’s love? I was told demons don’t love. At least, not as humans do.” Another pointed glance over her shoulder.
Ed gave her a half-smile, his gaze darting to Kesh before returning to her. “Hmm. Perhaps not as easily as humans, no. But when we do, we love fiercely. His Majesty, King Kain, has certainly proven as much. As has my father. Pick your mate wisely, and you will know love unlike any you could have found among your own kind.”
He was playing her like a fiddle. Kesh’s begrudging respect for his Master of Spies turned acid with annoyance as he felt the change in Georgia—how she leaned forward a little, relaxed her posture… and fell right under the sly bastard’s spell. Was she really this dumb? This hungry for a fairytale romance? The little scaredy cat who’d cowered on the dais in front of him, entirely aware of how treacherous his kind was… A few pretty words and empty promises and she was ready to ride off into the sunset with another demon.
“You haven’t asked Ed for his preferences in whores,” Kesh said, barely managing to keep the irritation out of his voice.
“I find rape abhorrent. I don’t use women for pleasure,” Ed said softly, his eyes fixed on Georgia’s. “Nor for breeding. I’m looking for a life partner who will fill my heart the way my mother has fulfilled my father, not a pampered slave.”
“Excuse me!” Alliancef protested, the dismay on his features suggesting he was finally clocking on to the trap he and Brestafan’d wandered into. “No one is raping anyone. I treat my whores well?—”
“As do I!” Brestafan interrupted, glaring daggers at Ed. “Only a scoundrel would leave a woman unsatisfied, whether or not payment is involved.”
“Oh, and you think a woman would want to fuck you if she wasn’t chained down?” Mallorn jumped in, gleeful at the realization he’d answered correctly after all.
Kesh pinched the bridge of his nose as his throne room devolved into loud bickering among his five otherwise rational men. “For fuck’s sake! Will you be quiet? Georgia, have you made a decision of which of your suitors you would like to see at the next courting session?”
Silence spread like nuclear fallout, the five men turning back toward her as one. The hope in their eyes was frankly pitiful. Fucking Breeders, with their ability to turn powerful men into simpering idiots in the blink of an eye.
“I have,” Georgia said, straightening on his lap. “Mallorn. Sefron. And Ed. I would like the chance to get to know you better—if you’re interested.”
Another cacophony of noise broke out as the three chosen cheerfully assured her they were more than interested, while Brestafan and Alliencef protested loudly and begged her to reconsider.
“Enough.” Kesh silenced the lot of them with another glare. “The girl’s made her choice. Thank you for your time. Alliancef, Brestafan, I will consider you again the next time a Breeder arrives in my territory. For now, return to your duties. The rest of you, I will send word of the next time and date for you to court Georgia. Until then, we have a war that needs attention. You’re dismissed.”
Quiet muttering spread among them—even the chosen three, who clearly were hoping to spend more time with the Breeder—but they all bowed stiffly for him and finally left, shooting Georgia longing glances as they went.
When the double doors finally closed behind them, Kesh leaned back on his throne, eyes closing with annoyance at the whole fucking production. “Say what you will about our old customs, but the auctions were infinitely more dignified than this mess.”
“I’m sure you’d have just loved to sell me off like a sex toy and get on with your precious war,” Georgia bit, moving to scoot off his lap. The sharpness in her tone made it plenty clear she was still angry with him.
He curled his hand around her hip on instinct, keeping her seated on his thigh even as hot anger flamed through his irritation. She thought that little of him? That he’d enjoy seeing her terrified and subjugated underneath whichever brute had the finances and strength to win her? After what he’d told her about his mother? He could still feel the ghost of her embrace from when she’d held him while he cried, making slimy tendrils of betrayal crawl up his spine.
“Listen here, you little brat?—”
“Brat?!”
Georgia’s outraged hiss was cut off when the doors to the throne room banged open again. She tensed at the sight of the man who strode across the threshold and walked toward the dais without being invited, her body instinctively pressing back against Kesh for protection. As if she could sense the danger he represented even with her blinding mark in place.
