Popping open the envelope, she pulls out a single card, gold and red decorating the paper. The Emperor’s stationary. Word has spread a lot faster than I had hoped.
“You are requested to attend the Offices of Militia. That’s it, that’s all it says?” Rosie flips the card over, looking for any more information on what it could mean. I try to smile at her, this is good news after all. Another clue, another step in the right direction. I just need to ignore the feeling that this news is anything but good.
Chapter 11
Rosalind
Icollect one of the wrapped bundles from the floor, opening it to find the most beautiful, deep maroon, coloured dress. It's silken, with gold clasps at the shoulders. Fitted but with a seductive slit up one of the legs. It's something I would have wanted to wear to a charity gala back on earth, but my father would never have allowed it. I flit past Steve, who's sitting on the bed, examining the card in his large hands.
There is a small privacy screen in the room, behind it is what you would expect in a standard bathroom. Everything but a bath or shower. Instead, there is a large tub, similar to a wine barrel that's been cut in half. I quickly fill it with hot, steamy water, bathing myself as best I can with the soaps and cloths provided. Taming my hair in the small mirror, I finallyallow myself to slip into the dress of my dreams, the fabric sliding effortlessly over my skin. My hands skim my stomach, flattening imaginary wrinkles as it drapes effortlessly over my soft curves.
Stepping out into the room, I sashay across the floor, completely transfixed on how the fabric moves when I walk straight into a wall of muscle.
“Careful, princess,” he purrs, his eyes raking over my body. I can feel myself preening under his gaze. Each time these new emotions flood over me, I’m reminded that I've never felt them before, but also, is this what I've been missing my whole life? Is this what people who fall in lovefor realhave each and every day they are with their soulmate?
My hand reaches out, stroking his abs, my cheeks heating from the intimacy of it. “I’ve finished in the bathroom. It’s all yours if you need it.”
“I will be fast,” he smiles, lifting my chin as he looks down on me with an affectionate gaze. “We might be able to see Bellator, and I don’t want to waste any time.”
Stepping beyond the partition, his shoulders and head stick out the top, but he focuses on his task. I pick up a few scattered things around the room, moving the remaining bundles from the floor, laying out the clothes from inside.
“Rosie, can you pass me a pair of pants?” He asks from behind me.
I expected him to still be behind the partition, to be cleaning himself with as much privacy as this room allows. Instead, I am confronted with a sight so unexpected, I’m rendered speechless. Steve stands a few metres away from me. Water rolling down his pecs and abs until it drips off the end of his heavy cock. I had seen it before.
Briefly.
Very briefly.
But, not like this.
Not with such… clarity.
It hangs heavy against his thigh. A glistening stud shining at its tip.
“You're pierced.” I gasp. Unable to take my eyes away from it, this abrupt turn of events. I find myself rubbing my thighs together, seeking any sort of relief from the throbbing building between my legs.
“I have nopierced. Do you mean my bond marks?” He tilts his head in confusion, staring down at me as I fight not to drool.
“It's so big, I knew it was big, butit's so big,” I mumble, unable to keep my thoughts inside my head. If you were to look upthird armin the Urban Dictionary, it would show you a picture of Steve's penis. Actually, no, he was right. This is not a penis. This is a cock. There's no other word to describe it.
“Rosie, I do not understand?” He comes to stand next to me, his cock bouncing with every step he takes,before rifling through the clothes on the bed, selecting some dark pants and a white shirt. Turning, he walks back to the bathroom, leaving me with the most glorious sight of his firm, round ass. At this point, I’m not sure if I prefer him coming or going. It wasn’t that I didn't find him attractive until now. I just never thought past this perplexing need to be near him. Seeing him like this, going through the motions of getting ready for his day. It brings a whole new realisation to how much I yearn for him. “Rosie? Are you poorly?” he says, lifting my chin to look at him. “I will carry you if you do not feel well, but I can not leave you here alone. If anything were to happen… it is not an option.”
“I’m… I’m okay.” I can feel my eyes blinking rapidly several times as my logical mind snaps back into place. I think I just got dickmatized, and I'm not sure if I need to hydrate or take a nap as a result. “I can walk. Sorry, just went into my own world for a second.”
The military office is cramped. It's as though they have constructed it for only imps and not for all the different kinds of species that fight in the army. I've only seen imps and orcs at this stage, but I'm not naive enough to think they are all that live in Hell. If orcs exist, then every supernatural creature that's talkedabout on earth can too. This is something I need to remember to talk with Steve about. How many Realms are there? If there are Hell churches, then do you all worship the Devil? How many species exist? Why are there not more humans?
A squeal escapes me as I'm swooped up and held in Steve's arms. We've been waiting in line for at least ten minutes, and more than one soldier has looked in my direction. I'm sure it’s coming from a place of curiosity and not of harm. No one could be stupid enough to try touch me while I'm with Steve, especially as most of Imperia know we’re here,andwho his brother is. Finally making it to the front of the line, Steve passes over the card.
“You have information on my brother,” he grunts.
“Does it say that?” the imp snaps back. This is a customer service nightmare. The poor lady seems frazzled from the amount of activity bustling around her, and Steve's not exactly helping with his lack of manners.
“Steve, my beloved. Put me down,” I ask dramatically, getting the attention of the receptionist. “Can you fetch me some water, please? It's dreadfully hot in here.” Fanning myself, Steve appears torn in his need to be near me, but also to fulfil my wants. If I'm honest, I feel a little bad manipulating him like this, but if it gets us what we need, then it's for the greater good. His jaw clenching as he steps away tofind me some water. “Apologies for my bonded, he's been upset since we heard about his brother.” Leaning on the counter, I continue to fan myself, looking over the crowd of impish forming. “You must be tired of having to deal with all of this,” I say, waving my hand out to the chaos around us.
“Finally, someone who gets it. These games will be the death of me, I tell you. It’s harder than getting a bunch of snakes out of a hole.”
I pretend to know what she’s talking about while also hoping I never come across said snake hole. “We were sent this card this morning, and I know you’re busy with the games, no doubt overworked and underpaid too. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Help calm this one down at least.” I jerk my thumb at Steve who’s making his way through the impish, a water vessel of some sort in his hand.
