“River, do you need any assistance selecting your trousers?” sheasked.
Ah, a pageanthelper.
“No, thank you,” Ireplied.
“Alright, well, it is best you change and get ready. You gentlemen need to be up on the platform very soon,” shesaid.
“Yes, ma’am. I amready.”
She gave me a look that told me I had not put in any effort. I was confident. Octavia was going to pick me. These younger men were not in my way, and they stood no chance. I glanced at Klyn as he stood near the steps to theplatform.
“Alright, gentlemen, listen up,” Klyn called out to us. “In a few moments, you will climb these stairs and take up a post on the platform. You each have a number and will stand in front of the post with your number on it. Be polite, be respectful, be a gentleman,” Klynsaid.
We lined up in alphanumeric order; I was last as number ten. As the men climbed the stairs, Klyn shook each of their hands and wished them luck. I did not needluck.
I stood in front of Klyn and mirrored his smile. He shook my hand firmly but held onto it a littlelonger.
“Best of luck to you, River,” hesaid.
“Thank you, Klyn. I do not need luck. I have something better,” Ireplied.
Klyn tiled his head to the side and considered me. I gave his arm a pat and flashed a widesmile.
“Confidence,” I said.And aprophecy.
I let go of his hand and climbed the steps. I strode to the post that was marked number ten and waited. The scene was rather dramatic; the platform was donned with tall flickering lanterns, and a combination of leaves and flowers lined the platform betweenthem.
There she was, the sexy woman who escaped my reach centuries ago. Octavia Darick. The stories I had heard this week from several people at the pub and apothecary made me hard at night as I lay in bed thinking of her. Were all of the stories of her desire to break young men in a wild, taboo way all true? I hoped to the Gods that they weretrue.
I hoped she was ready for a challenge because she would not break me. Instead, I would give her something she wants. Something these young men have not figured out yet. When she selects me tonight, really, she will be handing herself over to me. Only, she does not know ityet.
Damn, she looked incredible. I loved the strong, independent type that had their world together. After all, she was the Queen of Drishane, so I bet everything was in toporder.
She moved from candidate to candidate, leading each of their little hearts on. I waited patiently for her game to be over so I could stand beside her perfectly tonedbody.
As she spoke quietly to each of this year’s candidates, I imagined her mouth wrapped around me. Those pouty lips begged to be taken. Lip color that was put in place only for me to smudge. Hair, as dark as the night sky had been brushed only for me to make a mess of it. Curvaceous hips that were meant for me to grab, and a voice that would soon moan myname.
All of it waited forme.
Let’s go Queen...end thegame.
The Queen’s eyes locked onto mine, and a smile spread across her face as she walked toward me.That’s right, keepwalking.
“Well, River, are you ready?” sheasked.
“Yes, ma’am. Are you?” Iasked.
She raised her eyebrow and cocked her head to the side slightly. It only made her look sexier as her tongue darted out and hung in the corner of her mouth. A taunting smile spread across her face as she stared into myeyes.
“What will I do with you, River?” shemurmured.
“Whatever you would like. But I promise, you will not regret selecting me,” I confidently said in the samevolume.
“Follow me, River,” she instructed and sauntered towards the steps to theplatform.
“Gladly, my Queen,” Ireplied.
Everyone was still and quiet as she announced that I was her newgentleman.
