He moves faster than lightning.
“My dearest,” Kitajo purrs into my ear. His fingers trace the line of my neck, pausing to toy with the black diamond choker he gifted me. “You have no idea how my soldiers and my whole damn government would feel if they knew just how eager I am to please you. If they knew how strong my desire to give you the world and what’s beyond it is.”
My chest floods with warmth. I may be a professional, but even I am not immune to Kitajo, and the words he showers me with.
“I’m pretty sure it’s no secret by now that we share a bed,General.”
He pulls me on top of him with ease. Only silk sheets are separating our naked bodies. When his fingers find the naked skin on the small of my back and run up my spine, a pleasant tingle spreads all over me.
It’s not the type of tingle you get in anticipation of sexual pleasure. No—it’s so much more. It’s the warm, tingly feelingthat fills you up when a lover looks deep in your eyes and whispers those three magical words into your ear.
It’s the feeling of the whole universe melting away, time slipping through your fingers like fine sand. The feeling of completely losing your grip on reality, on whether there is someone else in the room apart from you and the one you desire more than anything else in the world.
I know very well the difference between the sensual touch of a lover, and the tingly touch of the one my soul craves.
It’s a dangerous line Kitajo and I are walking.
His luscious eyelashes cast a shadow on his beige cheekbones. I could look at him for days on end and always find him irresistible.
“Next week, I’m calling the official meeting with every member of House Dzuni. This one is going to be only for the eyes. I’ve already spoken with every member personally and have gotten the new bill written out and ready to pass as soon as the official meeting is conducted,” Kitajo says.
It takes my brain a minute to process what he says. When it finally hits me, I squeal from happiness. Kitajo laughs.
“You’re the smartest fae to walk the earth,” I say, cupping his face in my palms.
“The jury is still out on whether I’m the smartest ordumbestfae alive. But I’m glad you think that of me.”
I kiss him, hardly able to contain my excitement and gratitude.
“You know that you’re going to change lives with this. You’llsavelives,” I say once I pull away from the kiss. Kitajo’s eyes are searching my face. “It’s not an insignificant law. You’re going to put an end to illegal human trafficking, to young girls and boys being sold into slavery, losing control over their bodies and souls. This is something not many people are brave enough to do. But you are,General.”
Finally, it’s happening.
All this time, hard work, networking, and trying to make my way into the right circles with influence to make this law a reality will pay off. All the sleepless nights, lying awake and strategizing my moves, learning the ways of Dzuni and Ezkai, won’t go to waste.
Sagara might not get to see the plan she worked hard on, and passed on to me, come to life. But all of our work will pave the way for those that come after us.I hope you’re watching from beyond. I hope you’re proud.
Kitajo clicks his tongue. “So, you think I’m smart and that I’m brave, huh? I’m fairly certain you’ve never complimented me before. I would remember if you had—the feeling of being adored is just too mesmerizing to forget.”
I slap his muscular chest and it makes a loud sound. “This is exactly why I don’t compliment you, ever. You’re too full of yourself as it is.”
Kitajo winks at me.
I slide off him and roll over to the corner of the bed. Once I’m far away from the heat of his body, I realize the air in the bedroom is chilly. A light breeze comes in through the open windows.
I grab my silk robe from the foot of the bed, wrap it tightly around myself, and walk to the window.
The full moon hangs heavily in the dark sky, lighting up the Castle grounds with all the intricate pathways between the buildings and beautiful gardens. The snowy mountains loom in the distance, always watching over our city.
“So, is that it, then?” Kitajo’s voice is smooth. “You got what you wanted and now you don’t need your handsome and strong Ezkai General anymore?”
“Pretty much,” I say, voice light. “This is what us Caetras do, isn’t it? We come in, entertain you gentlefolk. We paint yourworld in colors you’ve never seen before. And once we’re done and have what we need from you, we leave and move on to the next one in line.” I glance at him over my shoulder. “And believe me,General. The line is long.”
“I have no doubt the line is long. I must admit that my fragile heart is hurt by your words, Vera. I really thought thatIwas special.”
I turn back to the window. “Don’t exaggerate, Kitajo. It’s not your fragile heart that’s hurt. It’s your fragile ego.”
He barks a laugh. The one that’s untamed and raw. He only laughs like this with me.
