I could give him that.
“You’re right, of course. We will hope it doesn’t happen again, but if it does, I’m certain she’ll listen to you.”
Ten
Flesser’s seed sprayed over his chest, his muffled groans loud in the too-quiet darkness.
Careful to keep the illusion of my appearance in place, I lowered myself onto him, my sex sliding free of him at the motion. Resting my head on his chest, I reached up and cupped my palm over his cheek. “Why did you return? Really?”
“I told you already, Quay.” He lifted his hand and stroked my back, careful to avoid my stripped wings. “I love you.”
When Flesser had entered my dwelling in the middle of the night, I’d expected him to kill me. I’d been so startled out of my sleep that I thought the fate of the deer and owl were upon me. But then it was him upon me, pausing only long enough for me to show what I should have become, kissing my lips, crawling naked onto me, asking forgiveness, saying he loved me.
Saying he loved me.
Flesser loved me.
The impossible words had been spoken.
Even as they left his lips, I knew them to be untrue.
Since my changing, only my brother had spoken those words to me, enough for me to recognize the ring of truth.
Flesser felt no love for me. Perhaps he thought he did. He was lonely, like me. Hurting, though not as much as me. Maybe I was the only one who had ever spoken words of love to him.
“Did you hear me, Quay?” He waited until I lifted my head from his chest and met his gaze. “I love you.”
Still hollow.
It didn’t matter. It was more than I’d hoped for.
“I love you too, Flesser.” I dipped my head and kissed him again before pulling back, then slid off him, repositioning myself beside him, our bodies curling into each other.
I felt myself drifting back to sleep as Flesser swirled the tip of his fingers over my skin. Him being beside me, claiming he loved me, returning once more. It made no sense. It was too good to be true. Such was not the fate for one like me. It was a perfect moment.
“Does Prince Xenith share your concerns?”
“Somewhat. Yes.” The meaning of Flesser’s soft, warm whisper cut through the hazy contentment of my mind, and I sat bolt upright, gaping at him. “What?”
His smile was soothing, reassuring. “I was in the forest earlier this evening. I happened to see you conversing with the prince.”
I opened my mouth to deny, then closed it again. What would be the point in that?
Flesser lifted up, supporting his weight on his left arm. With his other hand, he reached out, stroking my face. “Do not fear, my love. I will not report to the queen.”
I searched his eyes but could read nothing more than my own shadowy reflection. Despite his reassurance, desperation threatened to smother me. “Flesser, please don’t. He is my brother. I love him. He needs me.”
“I am aware that the queen would not feel the same about that statement. I will not run to her.” He sat up fully, putting us on equal level. “However, surely you know such a sacrilege is condemnable by death.”
It wasn’t a question, and I found no words to say.
“Quay, what if it had been someone else? Someone who needed favors from on high? Who would use your relationship with the prince to garner the queen’s trust?”
My mind raced, thoughts formed, swirling, then darted away too quickly for me to grasp. “Flesser, please…” My voice broke.
He leaned in, pressing his lips to mine.
I felt a tear slip down my cheek.
