Staring at Dorian, Belshazzar huffed. “You’re a liar, Dorian.” But that was all he said before he turned and started to walk away.
“He’s an asshole too!” I called. “Don’t forget that!”
Chapter Fourteen
Kimber
Walking as softly and quietlyas I could through the creaking boat, I approached Aiko’s room.
I needed blood. I could feel the craving coming on me, and I didn’t want to be out of control or powerless if the magic decided to toss another storm at us.
Tapping lightly, I waited for him. The door pulled open in seconds, and I had the feeling he was waiting for me.
“M’lady,” he said, moving back and pulling the door wide. “Please…”
I slipped in, and Aiko pushed the door closed.
Rilen slipped through before Aiko had it all the way closed and shut the door behind himself.
“Not without me,” he said.
Aiko went bright red. He clearly remembered the kiss and the satisfaction that Rilen had given him.
“Master Rilen…”
“I am here for both of you,” he whispered.
“Rilen,” I said, “you don’t have to be here.”
“There is nothing obligatory about this,” he said, never taking his eyes off Aiko. “Nothing. But I am here for both of you.” His hand snaked out and pulled Aiko in close. “Have you ever been with a male before?”
Aiko was speechless and barely managed to shake his head.
“If it is not your preference, I will step back. I will still be here for Kimber, but I won’t touch—”
“I don’t know,” Aiko said, slicing into his words. “We didn’t have a lot of time or space to ourselves under Savion. But since honesty seems to be coveted, and what a relief that is, I don’t know.” His hand went to his lips. “I didn’t dislike your kiss.”
“This doesn’t have to be anything, Aiko,” Rilen said. “I’m here. I’m offering myself because you two can’t rely only on each other for blood.”
“I know.” He turned, held out a hand to me and beckoned me closer. I took it, and he pulled me in, against him and against Rilen. “I don’t know what I want I want or what I feel. I’ve lived my life under a repressive regime of tyranny—love if that’s what this is, was a luxury I could ill afford. But I find myself utterly smitten by you, princess. I know we’ve been engaged in sharing all this time, but it feels… different.”
“It does.” I nodded.
“What about… Dorian?” Aiko asked.
“I’ll deal with him,” Rilen said.
“How?” I asked.
“He cannot continue to be unreasonable,” Rilen said. “Roran and I have been with him for nearly fifteen hundred years. We know him. If I tell Roran to stop sharing his bed, he will.”
A pit opened in my stomach. “Has he been?”
He glanced down. “We both have.” He must have seen the disappointment on my face. “I couldn’t think of another way to keep our powers if you needed them—if we needed to protect you.”
“You slept with him to protect me?” I lifted an eyebrow. “That’s… lame, Rilen.”
“I know…” He let out a deep sigh. “I’ll stay away until you can find it—”
