“You three…how can all this be real…”
“Himika.” Seron’s forehead pressed against mine before his tongue slipped in my mouth. I sucked his tongue deeper into my mouth.
Oszin was growing more urgent, more hungry, my body stretching around him, getting used to the sensation. Soon I could tell that all he could think of was the feel of my body wrapped tight around his. I was used to aching for the wrong reasons. Gods, now I craved it. I wanted him to forget everything except the feel of us together.
“Mm…” I turned away from Seron, reached back and pulled Oszin’s mouth against mine for an awkward, neck twisting kiss.
“Himika…” So rarely did he actually speak my name. It made me shiver.
Soon we were both lost in the moment, one of his hands braced behind on me on the bed, moving in unison, breathing in unison. We were clumsy and messy, and I loved every moment of it. My skin was burning inside as he came inside me.
“Moth…you feel so good.” He put his arms around me. “I wish the moment would never end.”
“That’s why we’ll do it again.” I was breathing hard. “After all, I’m not used to this much exercise!”
He drew out of me slowly. Seron was still stroking me a little. “We didn’t satisfy you yet, did we,” he said.
“I mean…not unless you count the first two times…”
“Three is a good number,” Aurek said. “Catch your breath, my gem, before I have my way with you.”
I felt pretty worked over, considering I’d just been laying there mostly, but I guess I used a lot of small muscles. I wondered how Phoebe could possibly handle five men. Three seemed like my limit or maybe more than my limit. But then, there was something to be said for going over the limit…
Well, Aurek always said I could say no any time but I never actually wanted to say no. I was proud of having them all. I wanted to make them all happy. For all the things I’d missed as a girl, I wanted three men to call me their queen.
“Ahh…!” Aurek took what he wanted while I was laying there recovering, thrusting his thick, textured length into my sex.
He leaned over me, the muscles in his arms tensing below the delicious curve of his shoulders as he held his weight over my body. “Still wet with Seron,” he said. “I can taste it yet.” He licked my cheek. “And your sweet sweat.”
Aaand…over the limit I went.
Chapter Twelve
Seron
I woke up beside Himika. Naked, tangled in covers, bare feet poking out. I had never thought of anyone else’s bodies the way Aurekdel did, like a font of pleasure, but damned if he wasn’t corrupting me.
Or maybe it was just her.
Oszin’s hand was curled around Himika’s shoulder. One of her arms was sprawled ungracefully outward under her cheek, her mouth open. Oszin twitched a little like a sleeping cat.
Aurek, I realized, was next to me then. His fingers clutched the covers. Something troubled him in his dreams.
Can’t imagine what, I thought sarcastically.
I had never wanted to wake up a king. What was I supposed to do now? I’m not sure anyone knew. But we were going to have to pretend we did.
I walked into the altar chamber and looked at the incense the king lit in the morning, and the candle to signal that the king had awoken. They seemed like sacred objects I wasn’t supposed to touch.
Even my own hands were strange now. I was supposed to keep my scales on. I fumbled with the match. A thin line of smoke trailed up from the incense as I lit two sticks. One for our present. One for our past.
I murmured the words of the prayer as I knelt before them, and imagined the king who had done this before Aurek or I lived.
That man is my father.
He seemed impossibly distant. He died when we were babies. I had grown up with the whispers that my father was Morlis. A part of me still wondered if there was a mistake, and yet—too many things made sense now. My mind wandered back to my earliest days, flashes of memory of Tiriana holding Aurekdel while he was sick, singing to him.
All I remember of our sickness was the sickness itself. We were both feverish for a while. Then I recovered much faster and more thoroughly, but Tiriana had no time for me. She needed help saving him. I always associated the fever with intense distress, which I assumed was just from the sickness itself and watching Aurekdel’s sight slip away. Aurekdel, meanwhile, seemed as cheerful as ever once he got better.
Now I realized she must have changed our identities during the weeks of fever.
It was no wonder I felt some jealousy to him. She said she was my mother, but she was really his. She confused us, and I would never really know for sure if it was to protect me from the crown, or to protect him from being shunted aside, or just to give the rulership of the dragons over to the child who was more gregarious.
The more I thought about it, the more I felt betrayed.
Did I really not want the crown? Or did I just not think of it as mine?
I didn’t even have a chance…
Who were Tiriana and Morlis to decide the king of the dragons?
I still didn’t want it, of course. But…it was the principle of the thing, I guess. They made me the son of peasants, the servant of the king. They kept me from my own room of treasures. And if Aurekdel had not been willing to share me with Himika, we might never have known she was meant to be mine.
The prophecy was mine and Himika’s to fulfill. Peace. To dragons and humans.
I lit the candle for the king’s hours, turning away from the niche as the bells sounded.
Aurekdel and I would govern together, as we always had, but there must be one difference now. In most ways, he had the sunnier disposition, but his darker side had a thirst for revenge that would easily go beyond Dvaro and Izeria and their accomplices. I knew he wasn’t happy that I wanted Niko here, but I felt sure he would be crucial for negotiations. In these matters, I wouldn’t yield to him anymore.
Aurek was stirring from sleep now. “I heard the bells,” he said. “So, you did your kingly duty, eh? I must say, it’s nice not to have the court waiting on me. I bet they’ll prefer your regular schedule to mine.”
“That’s probably true.” I put on my old leathers and dashed the comb through my hair just enough to bring it back to tie up at the back of my neck.
“The first day in Irandal is usually pretty relaxed,” Aurek reminded me. “No meeting of the council today.”
Aurek must be pretty disheartened, to be betrayed by his own council. “I might take the queen on a boat ride, as promised.”
Aurek smiled. “Good idea.” He ran his fingers through her long hair. “She’s still out like a market fish.”
“Is it any surprise? Last night was a little much.”
“Her body is well again. I think she feels ready to conquer the world. But the three of us are easy enough in comparison. Nah, last night was no ordinary night and our girl loved every minute of it.”
“When she wakes up, tell her to meet me at the docks at the second hour. Oszin, too.” I paused. “I mean…did you want to come with us?”
“I’m going to sleep in,” Aurek said. “I haven’t rested in a very long time.”
I tried to have a quick meeting with Minister Avo and gather the generals, but he crossed his arms and said, “King Seron, I think before anything else, we’d better discuss your new role here. You are our commander and led us into battle, but now you need a champion.”
“A champion? Gods, no. None for me. I can champion myself.”
Avo chuckled. “I have no doubt, but—”
“Who would I make my champion? That must be a close relationship. I don’t have room for it.”
“But who will be tasked with protecting you in battle?”
“We’ve had many warrior kings,” I said. “It’s our tradition. Isn’t the entire army my champion?”
“You and Aurek have grown up on legends,” he said. “But we’ve never had to talk about the rules and form
alities of a warrior king. It is rare for the king to actually lead the troops into battle. We must try to keep you from dying, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I’ve always led the troops into battle and I haven’t died yet.”
“Well, you need heirs first.”
“I thought you would be pleased to have a warrior king. I thought that was part of the reason Viruta and Tanair did this.”
Avo looked frustrated with me. “Of course I’m pleased to have a strong king. I think we could use it. But I also need to protect you. There’s a line.”
“Hrrmm…” I growled the sound.
“The crown and the hands of the king do look well on you,” Avo said.
Flattery wouldn’t work on me. “I still want to hold a meeting. We need a detailed plan of action for dealing with the mist dragons and I need to know the scope of Ezeru’s powers. But I don’t feel I can trust Viruta as my minister,” I added. “What they did was uncalled for. Viruta should have spoken to us first.”
Avo didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Lord—King—Seron,” he stammered. “That sounds like a job for tomorrow. Let everyone get a good rest after that long voyage. You don’t have to work so hard all the time. And if you want to know more about Ezeru, you know what Aurek’d do? He’d just talk to him for a while.”
“So I guess every time I want something done, you’re going to tell me what Aurek would do? Summon Viruta now,” I told one of the attendants, and I waited, crossing my arms.
Viruta came in with quiet defiance. “Your Majesty,” she said.
“Don’t ‘Your Majesty’ me,” I said. “You betrayed Aurekdel. After working at his side for the past decade!”
“King Seron,” she said. “I’m sorry; it’s just that I’ve been suspicious ever since the queen was not healed. I had already been considering the circumstances of your return from exile. This was a confirmation of my worst fears. You should be more angry that Aurekdel stole—”
“Aurekdel stole nothing!” I shouted. “He had no idea.”
“But all he wants is war,” she said. “Endless war. Maybe he feels like he has something to prove, but it’s not good for the kingdom.”
“You have no right to make assumptions,” I said.
“You and Aurekdel don’t always agree.”
“That’s not the issue here. You stole from Aurek. That’s a crime even if he’s not the king. You didn’t speak to us first.”
“Because I knew you would try and cover this up! You’re too humble, Seron! This was stolen from you and you are entirely fit to be king! Take it,” she snapped. “Don’t you see that I want to serve you?”
Gods, she was pissing me off. All I could see was the sight of Aurek bowing in front of me, and knowing how much pain he must have been in to be stripped of everything he thought he’d earned.
“Aurek is my brother,” I said. “You have badly misjudged this situation. You’re off the council. I’m not going to force Aurek to be in the presence of someone who betrayed him. Moreover, I think you can stew in jail until we go back to Irandal.”
She took a deep breath. “You are loyal to your friend. I hope he truly treats you as you deserve and allows you to rule.”
“I hope you take the time to appreciate what he’s done for this kingdom,” I retorted.
I snuck into the kitchens and grabbed some paper bun for breakfast, named for the thin shell that wrapped around a filling, skipping the court meal entirely, and then spent some time figuring out where Ezeru had gone off to.
“We’re going boating, you and I,” I said, when I found him pacing in a small room provided for him. Kajira was sitting on the windowsill.
“I can’t get rid of her,” he said, by way of explanation. “Boating?”
“Yes. I want to see the scope of what you can actually do. So we’ll get out to the rocks. Meet me down at the docks by the second king’s hour.”
Ezeru looked reluctant, but I thought it was a good plan. Oszin seemed to be getting along well enough with Ezeru, so I’d take Himika and give Oszin a boat of his own, and we’d all go to the rocks, which also happened to be a good spot for fishing and swimming. Everyone ought to be happy with that. I’d get some time with Himika, and Oszin would have an important task.
Oszin charged down to the docks well before the time. “Seron…I heard you invited Ezeru to go boating with us. Does he know you also invited Himika?”
“I don’t see what that matters.”
“You didn’t notice how strange he’s been acting around her?”
“He’s a weird guy.”
“Yeah, that isn’t the half of it. He told me he’s in heat for her. So he doesn’t want to be around her at all, and I don’t think we should put them in close proximity.”
“Heat? Like—ah. Like a rock dragon, huh? Or a cat.” I chuckled. “Maybe Kajira likes him back.”
“It must be a pretty strong feeling,” Oszin said. “But clearly, not one he wants to have.”
“Hm. Is he enough of an animal to go into heat…?”
“He doesn’t seem like an animal at all. He seems very disturbed by the feeling. Maybe we should leave Himika here.”
I wanted to take Himika out on my boat. I wanted Ezeru and Oszin on a different boat.
“Did you tell Himika about this?” I asked.
“No. After all, he’s trying to hide it.”
“Ezeru isn’t going to be able to act on any animal urges if we’re around,” I said. “And if he can’t actually control himself in the presence of a woman, we ought to be aware. What if he goes into heat for a maid or someone else without a guard? We’ll proceed as planned and see what he’s all about.”
Chapter Thirteen
Himika
Seron was waiting for me down at the docks.
“Ooh, we get to ride on a boat! I’m so excited to be outside!”
Since Hemara rose out of a lake with the toxic mists on the surface of the water, it was somewhat of an event to go out on the lake waters and we had to wear masks. There were no places to walk or surrounding villages either. Although we had visitors; merchants and soldiers coming and going all the time, we rarely got to leave. Of course, I was somewhat used to this because the Gaermoni had been trapped behind walls for so long as well.
I could see the canals leading off into the distance, and walking pathways too, leading toward buildings surrounding the palace, which shone like a beacon behind me. I was wearing a new outfit—a knee length robe with trousers and boots, so I could move around. And I was having a hard time not jumping around like a child. I was constantly astounded by how energetic I felt now. I could move any way I wanted, and nothing hurt.
“Is that one yours, Oszin?” He was standing expectantly next to a golden dragon boat. They were small, but very ornate, with poposas hitched to the front to pull them along like a pair of horses.
“Yes,” Seron said. “That boat belonged to a young man who died in the battle for Capamere, actually. I think he’d be glad for a Gaermoni to have it.”
“You just made that a little bit sad,” I said.
“It’s a poignant boat,” Oszin said. “A poignant, but really gold boat.”
“You brought your sword, I see,” Seron said. “We won’t have need for that.”
“I wanted to have it,” I said, hoping the two of them weren’t about to gang up on me with overprotectiveness.
Then Ezeru came walking toward us. He saw me and stopped. Kajira saw him and started getting all excited, nuzzling my face and then letting out a little cry in his direction. “I would rather not do this,” he said.
“And why not?” Seron asked. “You will share a vessel with Guard Oszin and you and I will take the other, and we’ll sail to the lagoon. Do you think you can just hide in a room in our palace?”
Ezeru pointed his glower at Seron. “I’m not really sure why you’d want me to do much else.”
“That just isn’t how we do things,” Seron said. “We need to understand what yo
u can do, and perhaps even more importantly, what you believe in. What kind of man you are.”
“Ezeru, it’ll be very pleasant,” I said. “You don’t have to say much. You can just swim or fish or…relax. Is it that you’re worried about Peri?”
Kajira flew onto Ezeru’s shoulder and looked very proud of herself. He tried to shrug her off. “Your Majesty, I…I really don’t—”
“Tell me the truth,” Seron said.
“I told him,” Oszin suddenly said. “I tried to stop him from inviting you and the queen together.”
“What?” I looked at Oszin. “What is it?”
“It’s…ridiculous,” Ezeru said. “My body—wants to mate.”
“So you can’t be around women?”
“He wants you,” Seron said. “Of course he does. We all want you.”
I must have turned scarlet. “Oh! I mean—why?”
“You’re pretty cute,” Seron said.
“It has nothing to do with that,” Ezeru said. “For me. It’s probably a huge mistake. Obviously, rock dragons don’t normally mate with humans. The spells that created me have already messed me up in a few different ways, so this is probably a side effect. If I’d been left alone I’d just mate with my own kind and that would be that, but for whatever reason you have an effect on me.”
“I wonder if there is a reason,” I said.
“Himika,” Oszin said. “What are you suggesting?”
“Oh—I don’t mean—that is—I just wonder if you’re attracted to women in the castle and not other rock dragons because that’s part of how we’ll make peace,” I said.
“I’m not really attracted to ‘women’ in the castle,” Ezeru said. “It’s quite a torturous feeling and I can’t emphasize enough how much I’d rather it went away. I don’t think you’re cute. I don’t like queens. In fact, I hate everyone.”
I might have been offended if he didn’t seem so obvious, or if Kajira wasn’t trying desperately to nuzzle his shoulder the entire time.
I made a little sound with my tongue to get her attention and waved her back to me.
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