“They weren't rough,” I said. “I'm fine.”
“Did they force you?” Drostan whispered.
“Only the one,” I said, “and it wasn't horrible.”
“I'm so sorry, Riley; that should never have happened.” Drostan's jaw clenched. “Let's get you back to the castle. We can dine in our chambers tonight, and tomorrow, you can have the entire day to recover.”
“Thank you,” I whispered and tried to act demure.
Hell; Andras had given me more than one present. It looked as if I had a short vacation from being Drostan's sex slave. After that wild afternoon, I could use it. Then there was all the new information he'd given me. I still wasn't sure how I was going to deal with the knowledge that Drostan had taken advantage of me. I felt helpless and frustrated.
“Did the Goblins say why they wanted to attack the Sylph Village?” I asked Drostan.
“The Sylphs attacked them first,” Drostan snarled. “If the Sylphs didn't have you, I would have led the attack myself. They could have destroyed a truce that has lasted centuries.”
“What?” I asked in shock. “Oh God, was that the skirmish you had to deal with?”
“The skirmish?” He lifted a brow.
“That day you came into the bedroom armored up and covered in blood,” I reminded him.
Drostan frowned; looking pensive for a moment before he answered, “Yes, that was the skirmish. The Sylphs flew off before they did much harm, and we were able to inflict a fair amount of damage ourselves, but the Goblins are furious and want their revenge. They're even more upset now that I've made them back down. I've had to promise to send them Redcap soldiers to help guard the border.”
“I'm sorry,” I said.
“This is not your fault, Riley.” Drostan squeezed my hand. “I don't blame you for it. There is a long-running feud between the Seelie and Unseelie. Even though our kingdoms are under a truce, battles between villages still occur.”
“That must be exhausting for you,” I noted. “Do you have to respond to every threat?”
“In one manner or another; yes,” he said. “A king must protect his kingdom. And you're right; it is exhausting. It's enough to make you wish you were someone else.” Drostan got a far-away look in his eyes for a moment.
“Drostan?”
“It will be all right, Aja,” he said. “Don't fret.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
But I did. I worried the whole way back to the castle... especially about what the word “Aja” meant.
Chapter Twelve
“So, I'm your concubine?” I asked Drostan as we walked to dinner the next night.
Drostan had been true to his word and had left me alone for the entire day. It had been blissful. I spent an hour in the bath, and then the rest of my time reading fairy books and drinking fairy wine.
“What?” He frowned in confusion.
“The Sylph told me that I'm your concubine, and that's not the first time I've heard it said. You said it to your guards once,” I reminded him. “So, is that what I am?”
“It sounds better than 'sex slave.'” Drostan shrugged. “Yes, Riley, that's the term for a woman in your position, and it's a respectable one.”
So, Andras had been telling me the truth; which lent credence to the rest of his words.
“My position or the term?” I teased Drostan back.
Drostan smiled, his eyes lightening with the camaraderie of the moment. “Both are respectable, though I'm looking forward to putting you in more scandalous positions later tonight.”
“Are all fairies perverts?” I asked conversationally.
