More flapping of wings.
“Word shall be spread,” a warrior said through a growly rumble.He was that monster of a gargoyle who was too big for his chair.“The warriors’ vote will be known by sunrise.”
Voting?Volunteering?Wasn’t this an absolute monarchy?
“Good, Ris.We shall examine a map of Europe now.”
With that said, Xaniban looked back at me, gaze lingering.
I gave him an innocent smile.“Don’t mind me, I’m just sitting here and keeping my mouth shut.”I needed to learn more about the agenda of the different species from the second apocalypse.Why had these creatures revealed themselves to humans now, and not centuries ago?Why all at the same time, and with murderous intent?
My smile was wasted.“It is time for you to retire to my chambers,” I was kindly informed.“Samuin will escort you and give you whatever you need to prepare.I shall join you soon.”
“But–”
He got us on our feet and flapped his wings in a way that produced a loud whoosh.
“Xaniban, I–”Dammit.Samuin was already flying in through the upper door.
“Yes, my liege?”he asked while in the air.
“Please take care of my little blessing,” Xaniban said with an affectionate smile directed at me.
Now it was him who was wasting smiles.Cute nicknames as well.“I will not be so easily dismissed.I want answers, as we agreed,” I reminded him.“If you won’t give them to me, have me taken to my community.Unlike you, they need me.”
Xaniban shook his head, still smiling.“Your desire for knowledge is admirable.Whatever questions you still have shall be answered.Whatever needs your community has will be discussed.Later.”
“But–”
He held up a clawed finger.“We’ve lost enough time on ourfirst night together.You shall go with Samuin now and leave us to discuss battle strategies.”
“Why can’t I participate?”I insisted, grasping for anything that could postpone the inevitable.“Let me see where those coordinates are.I might know the place better than you–”
He exhaled loudly through his nostrils, and I tensed up.Would I be thrown over Samuin’s shoulder again?
Xaniban caressed my arm with his tail’s tip.“I wish you not to be bored of war planning,” he rumbled softly, “but clean and dripping wet for me while waiting in my bed.”
I bristled.“Wish whatever, you jerk.”I drew back from his tail’s touch.“The only wet thing waiting for you in the bed will be a wet dream.Because in reality, you’re going to get one fat nothing from me.”
“A challenge?”He sounded intrigued, and the warriors flapped their wings in excitement.“I love challenges.Here is my promise to you, playful little human.”He tipped my chin up with a cocky smile.“The one to have wet dreams is you.Because once I have claimed you, you will be too exhausted to resist sleep.At the same time, you will miss my touch so much that you will be dreaming of me.”
I raised an eyebrow at his arrogance, which came so naturally to him that it sounded more like a mere statement of fact.Then I gave him a withering look, but its effect was ruined as I was flown out of the war room, sack-of-grain style again.
– 11 –
Chamberlain
“This is ridiculous.I can walk.”
Samuin kept flying, like a good little servant.With my emotions conflicting and my thoughts shifting between what I’d learned and what was to come, I barely paid attention to the rooms we passed through.
When I was finally placed back on my feet, my scattered thoughts suddenly coalesced into a single one:that bed is massive.
Looming in front of me was a four-poster masterpiece of richly carved wood, exquisite blue curtains, and a coverlet of dark-green velvet begging to be touched.Louis XIV of France could have slept in this bed and felt like home.
No wonder Xaniban called his bedroom abedchamber.It was too vast and lavishly furnished to be called anything else.
“This way, my lady.”
