“Why here?”
She tilts her head to one side, frowning as though she does not understand the question. “What?”
“Why would you want to be here? You just said humans are beneath you.”
“Which makes them easy to rule.” Eirian stretches her arms over the back of the sofa and eyes Rachel for a moment. “Makes for cute pets, too. It has been a long time since two queens ruled. I think we need a change.”
“I am not going to turn her.”
“Oh, you will,” Eirian says. “OrIwill kill her and I will toss you into the sun.”
viii
The lights are off when I open the front door to our flat, and I’m careful to be quiet when I step inside and kick off my shoes. Ben is probably in bed already, though he might not be asleep. I didn’t want to risk waking him, though, which is why I didn’t text him on the way home.
I lock the door just as quietly and go into the kitchen to grab some water. I was supposed to be out all night, hanging at my friend Jordan’s place to celebrate his new job, but Jordan drank too much too fast and his boyfriend had to put him to bed. Seemed easier to drive home now since I didn’t have a drink at all. I’m sure he’s not going to enjoy his hangover in the morning.
I snicker and take another drink. We might be young, but he’s going to be fucked come tomorrow. He’s got a good job, though. I think he’ll be out of here in a couple of years.
I set the glass in the sink and toss my wallet and keys on the side before I head to the bedroom. I’ll see if Ben’s awake beforeI decide whether or not I’ll shower tonight—it’s Saturday, so no work in the morning, so I can have a slow day.
Our flat isn’t big, but still, I don’t hear the sounds until I’m standing just outside the bedroom door. It’s open a crack, soft light spilling out from the lamp next to the bed.
At first, I figure he’s watching porn. Why not, right? He figures I’m not going to be back until the morning, and I won’t begrudge him a little personal time while I’m gone. A dirty smile crosses my face because why not see if I can help him indulge in a fun fantasy?
Except then I hear it.Him.
“F-fuck, Ben, right there, Jesus—”
That’snot porn.
That’s a guy from Ben’s work, some guy whose name I don’t remember but who I met three weeks ago when we all went out for drinks and thought, oh, he’s actually friendly because he asked me more than one question before drifting off to hang out with the people he knew.
I don’t think before I reach out. I slam the door open and catch them right in the middle of it, whatever-his-name-is on Ben’s lap, straddling his hips, Ben’s cock up—
“Fuck!” Ben shouts, eyes on me. The other guy twists, and I’m gratified that he pales when he sees me, that Ben tips him off and shoves him aside, but it’s not enough. How could it be enough?
“Baby, you—I didn’t think you’d be back tonight.”
I scoff. He’s reaching around for his boxers, clothes strewn all over the room, and I’m furious at the sting in my eyes, at the way my heart is breaking. Was he going to let this fucking guy stay all night? Sleep inourbed, and then hustle him out in the morning before I got home?
Fuck. He was, wasn’t he? He thought he’d get away with it because he probably has a hundred times and I’ve never suspected anything at all.
“Are you fucking kidding?” My voice comes out even. Angry. Ben pauses in the movement of dragging his boxers on, then tugs them over his hips.
“Grant, come on…”
“Come on, what?” I fix the stranger with a glare when he looks like he might want to leave the room. Fuck him. He can stay right where he is. “You’re not even going to apologise, are you?”
How were those not the first words out of his mouth? Fuck, he doesn’t even look remorseful. Embarrassed, maybe. Irritated.
“Oh, fuck off,” he says finally and tugs his T-shirt over his head. “Like you didn’t know something was going on.”
“I didn’t.”
“Like there’s nothing going on with you and Jordan.”
“There’s no—Paul was with us! All night!”
