“Yes, it has,” I slid into his hug. “I need to talk to you,” I said to his massive chest.
“Alright,” he angled his face down to mine. “The library or the bedroom?”
“Bedroom,” I decided. I didn't want anyone to overhear this conversation. I turned to my Guard, “You're off duty for awhile. I need some privacy.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Conri huffed. “You don't have to throw it in our faces. Go have some fun with your boyfriend.”
“Don't knock a girl for wanting to be open about her relationship,” I gave Conri a knowing look and he blanched.
I hadn't told him or Gradh that I knew about their little romance. It wasn't my secret to spill, so I wouldn't tell the rest of the Guard. But it was fun to see Conri flounder and let him think that I might.
“Come on,” Gradh slapped Conri's arm. “Stop harassing the Princess. Let's find some food.”
“I'm with Gradh,” Ainsley declared and followed her towards the kitchen.
“No, you're not,” I muttered, then pushed Cat in their direction. “Go on, Cat. Go get something to eat with everyone else.”
Cat didn't need to be told twice. She hurried away at Conri's side. I took Raza's hand, and let him lead me upstairs. I slid my hand up the golden railing as we went, and considered the grandeur of Craos-Teine. The last Unseelie Castle (as in the royal dwelling) had been dark and pretty gloomy. This one was bright, filled with jewel-toned fabrics, gleaming metals, and luxurious furnishings. I loved it, almost as much as I loved Twilight Castle. But I loved Unseelie's King the most.
My hands were starting to shake. I really didn't want to tell him. We'd been so happy lately, everything was perfect between us. I felt like I finally knew the real Raza, and I was letting him see the true me. We were connecting profoundly, reaching deeper levels of understanding, and sharing things with each other that were more intimate than sex. Which leads me to another point, the sex was phenomenal. Was I about to ruin all of that?
“Seren?” Raza scowled as he closed the bedroom door. “What is it? You're obviously upset.”
“I cheated on you!” I blurted out, then clapped a hand to my mouth in shock.
“You what?!” Raza shouted.
“I mean...” I held out a hand. “No... I said that wrong. I was talking to Tiernan-”
“Tiernan? You cheated on me with Tiernan?!”
“No, hold on a second,” I huffed.
“Hold on? You want me to wait for you to come up with some way to justify it?” Raza's golden eyes were going molten.
“Raza,” I moaned, and covered my face with my hands. “I'm sorry.”
“Damn you, Seren,” Raza whispered brokenly.
Then he roared. A full out dragon roar which echoed through the castle. Everything went silent in the aftermath of that fearsome sound. The walls seemed to vibrate. Raza's entire body was shaking, his fingers curved into talons, and his jaw clenched. His wings lifted behind him like he was about to launch himself out the window.
“Hekissedme,” I offered lamely.
“And then you thought 'What the hell? I might as well fuck him'?” Raza snarled.
“What? No!” I cried out. “I didn't fuck him.”
“You just said you cheated on me,” Raza frowned. “Was it just oral? If you don't consider taking him into your mouth to be fucking, I beg to differ.”
“Gods no!” I huffed. “Jesus, Raza. It was just a kiss. I was talking to Tiernan, and he apologized for being such an ass. Then he started going on about being my consort, and I told him you didn't want that anymore, and then he grabbed me and kissed me. Okay? No sex.”
“No sex?” Raza's shoulders dropped. His wings snapped shut. “Why didn't you just say that, Seren? Why did you have to say you cheated on me?”
“Because I did,” I whispered. “Because in my opinion, that was a betrayal.”
“You sayhekissedyou?” Raza asked.
“I could have stopped him.”
