I didn’t understand what he meant for a long moment… then remembered my toxic lips, my ability to stun people. I laughed. “We’ll save that as a backup option.”
“And what do we do with the queen once we have her?” Midnight asked softly. “Do you truly expect her to spill all her secrets?”
“No, not really, but—”
“Then what’s the point of kidnapping her?” Trust Midnight to get right to the heart of things.
I thought for a moment before answering. “My hope is that once we start questioning her, it will become apparent whether she knows nothing of the events happening around her, or she does know and isn’t doing anything about them. I think those will be two very different responses, even if she isn’t all that talkative. That alone will tell us a lot. And if she does know something and is willing to talk, then… that’s even more.”
Midnight sighed. “That’s fair.” She shook her head slowly. “I don’t know why, but I suspect she’s not the one behind all of this. It’s just a hunch. I guess we’ll see.”
Time for specifics. “The mission team will be Alvere, myself, Fin, and the Fey, if they’re willing. If not, we’ll re-evaluate. The rest of you, make a room ready for the queen, we’re about to have guests.”
“Do we know if the queen has a spirit-gift?” Silence asked looking around.
A good question. I surely didn’t.
“The trouble with most spirit-gifts is that they are personal. Most people don’t share that they have them, except perhaps to those in their own House.” Crane’s tone was hard. “She may have one, but the public, even the other Noble Houses, haven’t been told of it. We have to plan for… anything.”
“Do that,” I said.
“I’d like to come along on the mission,” Midnight said. “I can stay behind, see what trouble we stir up, who reacts and how.”
“A good idea. You’re in.” I looked around. “Anything else?”
No one said anything.
I sought out Ant after the meeting as people went to prepare. He hadn’t said anything and had been avoiding eye contact. “How are you feeling?” I asked tentatively. The dark skin of his cheeks flushed as he looked at me, then quickly away. “I’m doing a lot better, thank you. I… just… You…” He cleared his throat. “Are you well? I was… rough.”
I didn’t laugh, even though I wanted to. I did flush a little myself as I smiled. “I’m tough, I can take a beating,” I said remembering all the moments of my time with him. “I’m a bit sore, but I’ll heal.” I put a hand on his massive shoulder. “And if you ever need me, I’m here for you.” I didn’t really know what I was saying. Did I want more rough, powerful sex with this amazing man?
I can answer that, Auwei said with a chuckle.Yes, yes you do. Just not often.
Ant looked at me then. “You want more?” And the interest, the desire that kindled in his eyes sent a thrill through me, sinking and pooling, making my legs weak and my sore parts tingle.
“Do you?” I asked, curious. No one else was around, so I was open with him. “I’m not a one-man woman, I think you know that. I seem to have a growing harem of those who I’m with. That’s just who I am, and I’m not going to change that. But if you’re well with that, then…” I lowered my voice to a sensuous, heavy whisper. “I could submit myself for a little punishment every now and then.”
He grinned, while still looking a bit concerned. “Is that what it felt like? Punishment?”
“The most pleasurable pain I’ve ever felt,” I breathed. I slipped my hand behind his neck and urged him down to me. He let me move him and leaned down for a quick nip of a kiss, his lips hard and hungry.
“I’d like to be with you again,” he whispered.
“And I you. It is set. I’ll let the others know there is a new member of the Loving Legs Club.” I just made that name up on the spot and frowned at how silly it sounded.
“I’m not sure I’m up for others being with us,” Ant said, honestly. “But… perhaps… I could try it. Once.”
“It’s good to be open to new experiences.” I pulled him down for another kiss.
We drew apart after that. The heat within me lasted as I went back to my room. Alvere, Silence, and Sparrow were waiting for me there.
“What’s this?” I asked, blinking in mock innocence.
“We just wanted to make sure you slept well,” Alvere said.
“So, you’re going to tire me out?” I shrugged. “Works for me.” I drew into their loving arms, adding, “Oh, and I had a chat with Ant. He wants to be with me too, occasionally. How does everyone feel about that?”
“You know we only want you to be happy,” Sparrow said, before her soft lips touched mine. There were murmurs of agreement by the two men as they all pressed close… and began to show me just how happy they wished me to be.
