“You're making me very nervous, Andras,” I growled at him.
“No one will touch you without your permission, Riley,” Andras said. “I swear it to you.”
“But our prowess as lovers is renowned,” one of the other men said. “You wouldn't be disappointed.”
“Don't you want to be with someone willingly?” One of the guards asked.
“Iamwith Drostan willingly,” I snapped.
“Are you?” Andras asked in surprise. “But you're human, and I was told that you're his concubine.”
“I have an Understanding with King Drostan,” I corrected him. “He saved my sister in exchange for my servitude.”
“Ah; then you aren't entirely willing,” Andras concluded. “I can give you equality; in addition to other pleasures. But for now, let me show you around Morning Mist. We can talk about more pleasant pursuits later.”
“We'll keep an eye out for the King's flare,” one of the guards said. “And we'll send for you when we see it.”
Andras nodded absently as he led me down the gray, pebbled path. He pointed out statues, gardens, and the homes of prominent sylphs as he led me through the village. More sylphs approached us and spoke briefly with Andras before passing by. No one treated me with disrespect or even as a slave; it was refreshing. As much as Drostan made me feel adored, his court treated me like his treasured possession; a thing to be admired from afar. They rarely spoke to me, and when they did, they did so in a patronizing way.
“The Unseelie King has magnificent taste in women,” Andras noted as he handed me a pastry he'd purchased from a baker in their central marketplace. “You say that you bartered yourself for your sister?”
“She was dying,” I said absently before I took an experimental bite.
It was wonderful; crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, with pieces of luscious fruit swirled in.
“Honorable and beautiful,” Andras said softly as he watched me lick the cream from my fingers. “It's rare to find such qualities in one woman.”
“Is this part of your seduction?” I asked wryly.
“Perhaps.” He shrugged. “But honestly, Riley; why would you be loyal to a man who has enslaved you?”
That made me pause. For the life of me, I couldn't come up with an answer.
“I don't feel loyal to Drostan,” I finally said. “I just don't want to sleep you.”
“Don't you?” He lifted a brow in challenge.
“I don't know you well enough.”
“How well did you know King Drostan before you slept with him?” He shot back.
“As I said; we have an Understanding,” I said sternly. “I don't usually have sex with men whom I've just met.”
“Not even for revenge? Or perhaps a little rebellion?” He asked with a wicked smile. “I could pleasure you all day—in any way you wish—and King Drostan couldn't hold you responsible. You wouldn't be jeopardizing your Understanding or his affection for you.”
“That's a good point,” I agreed. “But again; I don't know you.”
“Here we are.” Andras waved to a tower-like, white building. “This is my home. We can wait for King Drostan's response inside.”
Andras led me into his spacious stone home; it had a minimalist design with unusual accents. Pale curtains undulated in the mountain breeze that flowed in through the tall windows. The scent of wildflowers and pine came in with the crisp air. Bright white and fluffy furniture was enlivened by vivid accents in jewel tones. Andras took me up a winding staircase to a circular bedroom that had an arching window to showcase the magnificent view. He let go of my hand, and I wandered over to admire it. The windowpanes were swung open, and I leaned over the ledge to see straight down the mountainside, through the wispy clouds, to a valley spotted with trees and bisected by a winding river.
“It's beautiful,” I whispered.
“Thank you; I love it here.” Andras came up alongside me. He looked sideways at me and asked, “How long have you enslaved yourself to King Drostan?”
I glanced over and saw that Andras was bare-chested; somewhere along the way to the window, he had cast off his shirt. That was rather presumptuous of him. I couldn't help admiring his body anyway. For such a nebulous man, he was quite striking. His chest was narrower than Drostan's, but still nicely muscled, and his biceps bulged without looking as if he worked for it. His face was handsome... and smiling indulgently at me when I finally looked up.
“Forever,” I whispered.
