My hands gripped the seat of the rowboat. Aurekdel…Himika…the thing is done…
She wasn’t even healed.
I needed to go to her. She would be in pain and despair. Had he hurt her? He sounded so cavalier. He was toying with me. I wanted to strangle him.
I was in such a rage I was speechless for several long moments. At first, Seron tried to change the subject, and when I didn’t take the bait, he was soon giving me a stern look instead.
“Oszin, if I were you, I wouldn’t ignore a question from Lord Seron,” King Aurekdel said.
“I do fish,” I growled. “Sometimes it was the only food we had.” I realized that Aurek was getting right at my weakness. Kamiri weren’t supposed to have a temper. I was supposed to be grateful for every opportunity I’d been given, because they could all be taken away.
But I did have a temper. And the longer I tried to tamp it down, the worse it seemed to get.
“Is this how you talk to her?” I said, in a low voice.
“How do you think this conversation is going so far?” Aurek asked.
“Just tell me if you hurt Moth or not!” I shouted, and then hung my head. He was going to make sure I never saw her again. “I’m sorry. I—fuck. Please let me say goodbye to her. That’s all I ask of you now.”
“Oh—are you leaving?”
“You’re going to exile me, obviously! Gods. I don’t know what this is about. Maybe you’re going to kill me. But Himika’s brother would ask what happened to me so if you want good relations there, well I’m better off working for him at this point. I can’t control myself. I admit that. She doesn’t want this marriage and as her protector and confidante for these past years, it is very hard for me to accept.”
“You love her,” Aurek said. “You have been the one man who is at her side all the time, her protector and confidante, like a husband would be.”
“I could never be her husband. I realize that all princesses marry.” Although I always thought she would never be able to. My heart was pounding. I couldn’t read Aurekdel at all.
“This is a test,” Aurek said. “And you’re failing. But still, devotion is a very good quality in a guard. I need you to realize that my kingdom is dealing with a civil war. On a personal level I really don’t like rules, but I’ve also learned that some manner of hierarchy has to be maintained. Himika is my wife now, and so she will always be. You don’t understand the responsibility of being a king. I can’t have you going into a rage over the idea of me having her. I will treat her well. It doesn’t sound like any better fate would await her if I hadn’t entered the picture.”
“No.”
“I’m not sending you away,” Aurek said. “I want to invite you to join us tonight.”
That was the very last thing I expected him to say. My entire body revolted. “I could never.”
“Oh really? I have already asked her to share with Seron.”
“Seron?”
Seron waved his hands like he didn’t want to take responsibility.
“That’s our custom,” Aurek said. “I don’t see why the queen can’t also have a champion. The only condition is that you take no other lover but her.”
“That is not how we do things. The priestess might have to take four lovers, but otherwise it’s—it’s just unthinkable. Sharing her with another man? No.”
“You would rather have none of her than some of her?”
“I just can’t—do that.” Such an intimate act was only for one man and one woman.
“Well, one cannot say I didn’t try,” Aurek said.
What would Moth say? She has to be with this man she doesn’t love, one way or another. If I was there, I could protect her. But…
“Don’t mention this to her,” I said stiffly. “She’ll—ask for me.”
The shock of this offer was still passing through me when Seron suddenly stopped rowing. “What is that sound?” Aurek said.
From the shadowy sides of the cave, a rock dragon suddenly leapt down, aiming for the boat. It missed, splashing into the water a distance away. I suddenly realized that dozens of them were perched on the rocky walls. It was like stepping into a dark room and seeing cockroaches as your eyes adjust.
“They’re swarmed around Morlis’ cave!” Seron drew his sword. I drew mine as well, but now the rock dragons were all plunging toward the water, swimming toward our boat. They looked almost silly dog paddling with their dark heads poking out of the water. But it was no joke when the first couple reached the boat and clawed their way onto it.
“I’m transforming,” Seron said. He handed his sword to Aurek and then looked at me. “Protect him.”
Seron dove into the water, turning into a dragon as he hit the water, his scales shining like glass. He had wings folded against his back.
Aurekdel struck out with the sword; although blind he seemed to hear the rock dragons enough to deal some blows and his form was excellent. The sword flashed with light that seemed to partially stun the rock dragons as it made contact.
“Feel free to jump in any time,” he said to me.
“I—“ Damnit, Aurek’s most potent weapon seemed to be making me feel stupid. I had a feeling he was good at that all around.
I couldn’t let him keep throwing me off balance like that. “I just didn’t want to get in your way,” I said. “They haven’t reached my end of the boat yet.”
“That’s—probably—wise—“ He struck the head off a rock dragon that had jumped onto the edge of the boat. “All right. That’s enough luck for me to expend in one day. I’ll charge Seron’s sword with more crystal magic if you can keep them at bay.”
He lowered his sword and let me take over. I saw the rock dragon’s head floating away, blood staining the water. In the shadows everything seemed more dark than red.
Yeah, Aurekdel really wasn’t a man to trifle with.
Meanwhile, Seron swept out of the water into flight and planted himself on the wall, digging into rock ledges with his claws, driving the rock dragons off the wall and into the water. How could I ever compete with these dragons? But they still did resort to fighting like humans a lot of the time. Lots of close quarters in this place. Aurek dipped one hand in the water while he ran his fingers along the sword. I kept the small dragons off him. I hoped he could tell how good I was. I’d really made a mess of things as far as Himika went, but maybe he’d still keep me on for my fighting ability.
Such an idiot, Oszin.
The rock dragons kept coming, and they weren’t all easy to kill. Some had tougher hides and I wondered if we’d see the one who could shape rock again.
Aurek offered me Seron’s sword. “Here. Take this one. I’ve got it charged back up again.”
The sword was a fine piece of work, the blade glowing. The rock dragon closest to me shied back and squinted just at the sight of it. If I wasn’t mistaken this was one of the most sacred swords of the dragons and he handed it to me like I was worthy of it. Is he trying to win me over? If he actually wants me in the bedroom with him, that’s even worse.
“It’s not my fighting style. I prefer a single edged blade,” Aurek said lightly.
Aurek started rowing the boat toward the wall as the numbers of rock dragons started decreasing. After Seron and I took out a few more, they started retreating, scattering away from the boat and scrambling up the walls.
“Morlis!” Seron shouted, dropping down to the mouth of a cave. “Where are you?” He looked back at the boat. “Looks like there’s been a struggle here.”
“Is he there?”
“No…” Seron swatted something with his dragon foot. “Old man?”
The boat bumped into a rock, and Aurek scrambled out, groping his way along the jagged rocks, leaving me to tie the thing up. “Morlis?” he screamed.
Seron looked pale as he retrieved his robe and slipped back into human form. “I think he’s been captured. It’s a mess. The cook pot’s turned over—his treasures on the floor. It must have happened before
we got here.”
“I have been outwitted by that bastard—again? Morlis is our best crystal shaper, and—more.”
“Maybe more, but he should have said so…” Seron put his hand against the wall and slumped. “Fuck.”
“Not to ask a stupid question, but if he was so important, why didn’t he live in the fortress?”
“He refused,” Seron said. “He always refused. He’s always been strange, as long as we can remember. It’s also rumored that he might be my father. That’s why it’s—well, I’m not gonna get hung up on that. He damn sure never acted like a father.”
“What’s this?” Aurek had been pacing carefully, stopping to rummage in the debris on the floor. Now he was holding a tablet made of crystal and tracing letters stamped into it. “It says, ‘I’m sorry. I never told you’…that’s it. Maybe cut off.”
“He never told us anything,” Seron said. “So I’m not surprised.”
Seron held out a hand to me. I handed the sword back to him.
“I was actually just going to thank you,” he said. “You fought well. I think you might fight a little better when your eyes aren’t distracted by the princess.”
“She has never suffered any injury when I was present,” I said.
“Fair enough.” Seron shrugged and took the sword.
“This is truly unfortunate,” Aurek said. “The people are already shaken over the other recent attacks and now, it’s Morlis’ own fault for insisting he was safe out here. But still. I’m tempted to withhold the truth to the people about what happened, but we have a witness I don’t know very well.” He walked up to me.
“I might not be entirely comfortable with the situation, but I am aware of my place in the world,” I said. “I wouldn’t betray your trust. My only concern is Himika. You will tell her, won’t you?”
“Yes, I will tell her. I want her to know I’m trying to find a solution.”
“When it comes to rock dragons and mist dragons, it’s not my business.”
“Oszin, you don’t know what it’s like to be a king.” Aurek clapped a hand on my shoulder. “But nor do I understand what it’s like to be one step above a slave. It’s not your way to share, but she loves you. You would make her happy. The invitation remains open, for the time when you’re ready.”
Damned if a part of me was starting to like the guy, but fighting alongside a man had a way of doing that.
Not enough to see him make love to my beloved girl.
I could tolerate it from a distance, only because there was nothing I could do to stop it. I was still reeling from the shock at how casual Aurekdel was at the idea of Himika being shared between him, me and Seron. Did that mean Seron had also claimed her last night?
Gods, no. It’s already happened. I wasn’t able to save you. And if you aren’t healed…
My poor Moth.
Chapter Twenty
Himika
My mood wavered between acceptance and despair. Hara and Raia brought my trunks into the bedroom. They took out all the clothes and admired them.
“How did things go last night?” Raia asked, as she lifted out the garments, hanging up the gowns. “These are stunning too. A dragon could never wear them, though. You couldn’t shape shift in a hurry, that’s for sure.”
“I’m very sorry,” Hara said. “I heard the curse wasn’t broken. Do you feel all right?”
I shrugged. “It’s all right. You don’t have to ask me about it.”
“Will the king send you back home?”
“Hara!” Raia smacked the other girl’s arm. “Of course not! …right?”
“No, he doesn’t seem interested in that,” I said.
“I’m not trying to be rude,” Hara said. “But Aurek and Seron…that’s a lot for a healthy woman to handle.”
My cheeks turned hot and I sprang to my feet. “Excuse me.” I took the dress from Hara’s hand. “I do believe I can handle this myself.”
She got the message, prostrating herself on the ground. “I’m sorry, my lady. I insulted you. That was wrong.”
“I do expect a certain level of respect if you’re going to tend to me so personally,” I said. “Maybe that isn’t how you do things here, but the king wants me to stay. He knows my limits.”
“I think it’d be pretty exciting to have Aurekdel and Seron at the same time.” She whistled. “You can’t usually get men to agree to that.”
“We had sex in the baths,” I said. “It felt pretty safe…their weight wasn’t on me. Aurek says he’ll take precautions so I won’t get pregnant…but…I still think maybe he should just have a different lover.” I said it automatically, but as soon as I did I wished I hadn’t. I had a vision of Seron and Aurekdel in the baths with experienced dragon women, having a grand old time. “Then again, I am the queen. He might as well send me home if he thinks about that.”
“Exactly,” Hara said.
“Well, there are things she can do in bed that ought to be safe,” Raia said.
“Like what?” I asked tentatively. I knew so little about these matters.
Hara looked at my face and giggled sweetly. “Look at her, Raia, I’m not sure she’s ready for that much information.”
“I can handle it.”
Hara paused. “Is it true what they say about Aurek’s cock?”
I turned very hot again. “Maybe.”
“Well, it might be too much to take that in your ass, then. That’s my opinion.”
“You’re not really into ass stuff in general, are you?” Raia said.
“Only in dragon form. I like a lot more that way.”
“The back way is the only way I’d do it when I was in the army. I don’t like worrying over my cycles. Of course, now it doesn’t sound as bad to settle down. I might not mind a baby now.”
“That last battle really did you in, huh?” Hara squeezed her hand. “Well, I’m a delicate flower. I don’t like fighting and in human form I like it when he does all the work and treats me gently.” She looked at me and laughed louder. “We’d better stop. We’re going to give the queen a heart attack.”
“Stop saying that! I’m trying to learn! Humans just don’t— But it’s not like I’m a prude.”
“Has he tasted you there?” Hara asked, pointing down.
“Um…no…” Only Oszin had done that. And it certainly had been good. In some ways, better than sex itself. But was it good etiquette to save that for Oszin? I still wanted him, but I thought I wouldn’t want Aurek at all. Now it felt more like betraying a vow than I expected to feel. The whole thing was getting unbearably confusing.
“Well, you should tell him to get to work!” Hara said. “So much for his reputation for pleasing! You can do the same to him, but let him lead the way. You’re the guest.”
“What do you mean? I should lick him there too? He’d like that?”
Raia laughed. “I’m sure he would.”
“But if it’s too much work just let him fuck your mouth, and keep your lips and tongue wrapped around him nice and tight,” Hara said. “It’s hard to take him very deep at first, so be sure to tell him if he’s making you gag. You might not want to swallow his seed either, but you should. Crystal dragon seed will make you live longer!”
“So they tell us,” Raia said dryly.
I made a face. It seemed more like something Rin would do. “That doesn’t sound very nice at all. Is that something all men like?”
“I’ve never met one to refuse.” Hara looked amused with me. “It’s not as bad as it sounds, especially if one of them’s licking you at the same time.”
“Poor little princess,” Raia said. “You’re just young, that’s all. We all start out that way.”
Someone rapped on the door, which was really a sliding partition, thin enough that you could see the silhouette of the person behind it if the hall lanterns were burning.
I knew that silhouette.
I was very relieved to see Oszin, and as soon as I opened the door I grabbed his hands and sq
ueezed them. I was trying very hard not to completely fling myself into his arms in front of Raia and Hara.
“Am I interrupting something?” he asked. “You’re blushing as red as I’ve ever seen you.”
“No! Not at all!”
“I’m back at my post,” he said. “The king says I can guard you. I’ve learned the language, even if I’m having trouble with that weird growling ‘r’.”
“Me too!” We were talking in Gaermoni and it felt so good to be back to my own language.
“Do you have a minute?”
“Yes. They’re just hanging up my wardrobe. I’m not needed.”
I stepped into the hallway with him, and he reached for my hand. I tried to draw back. “What if someone sees us?”
“But there’s no one here.”
I stopped and looked up into his eyes. So bright and quick, those eyes. But he looked concerned. He put his hands on the wall, above me on both sides. I knew he was probably wondering how things went and I didn’t know what to say.
“So…” He kept eye contact until I squirmed away.
“I was treated well,” I said. “But I’m sure you heard that the curse didn’t break.”
“Yes. I heard you were with Lord Seron, too.”
“I guess it’s the custom.”
“Does your brother know that?”
“Well, even if he did, what would he say? He has two lovers and shares Phoebe with four other men!” I crossed my arms. “I really don’t want us to talk about this. It’s my duty and they won’t hurt me. Let’s leave it there.”
“Are you sure? You don’t look happy, Moth.”
“Because I wanted to fight!” My drapy princes sleeves flopped with emphasis. “I wanted you to teach me to use a sword and a bow and arrow so that no emperor can just swoop in and drag me from my home ever again! Because it’s not like that danger has passed, has it? This kingdom is under threat, just like Gaermon.” I drew my ceremonial knife. “I’ve already heard some bad rumors about the Traitor King.”
“There is another path to power,” he pointed out.
“Magic?”
“I told you, you’re good at it.”
“I’m good at healing…” Magic wasn’t really what I wanted, especially when I had no natural affinity for attack magic. I knew it was very hard to learn magic you had no affinity for. Healing just seemed like something a crippled princess would be expected to do.
The Kingdoms of Sky and Shadow Box Set: A Fantasy Romance Page 14