“Without Tynan,” Ovren says, “not one of us would have dropped our ropes today, or had the courage to disobey our masters and expose the trickery.”
CHAPTER 69
Rosomon
Glorya, Queen of Catha, holds my hand as she leads me to a bedroom in her castle, which is a short distance away from the temple.
Glorya was forced to join the Wives of Othrix. She’s been serving the klericks in Khotor and was brought to Catha with Tynan’s father. Turns out, she was among the women in the den I was held in last night.
The moment we arrived to free them today, Glorya rushed to my side and introduced herself, as did several other former princesses and aristocratic ladies, a few of whom I recognized from their visits to Achotia.
Glorya told me that her father, the last King of Catha, was the first sovereign that King Lancet murdered. And she also told me that Tynan was very kind to her over the months he was recently in Khotor. It turns out, she was the concubine that visited his room most nights, and both swear that nothing ever happened between them. Glorya has no reason to lie about this.
There’s so much to right in this world, but now that the temple klericks, Vanora and King Lancet have been captured, all is calm for the moment. And we need sleep, so we’ll be equipped to tackle these problems tomorrow.
Surath and Xendus, the former in Dragon form, are going to watch over the temple tonight, ensuring that all the guards and workers remain inside, until we figure out which ones to trust.
Tomorrow, one or more of the dragons—we’ve yet to settle on who—will fly back to camp to tell the others what’s happened. There, they’ll gather a group of dragons and riders we trust, and those dragons and riders will spread the word through the seven kingdoms and help to keep order, until a new Council of Sovereigns can be formed.
I can’t wait to be reunited with my brothers and hope that Nurse kept them safe.
Zogar, Saxon and Tynan follow Glorya and me into the bed chamber.
Glorya smiles. “It’s been some time since I’ve been in my home.” She looks around. “But I’m happy to see that the servants have kept this room clean.”
“It’s beyond lovely.” I squeeze her hand. “Far more than I need.”
She smiles softly. “I’ll show the gentlemen to their rooms.”
“We’re not leaving her side,” Zogar says firmly.
“We’ll take turns standing guard,” Tynan adds, as if Glorya requires an explanation. “None of us require private chambers. Not tonight.”
Glorya’s cheeks redden. Embracing me, she whispers, “Do you consent to their continued presence in your chambers?”
Pulling back from her, I nod.
Glorya exits the room, and all three men quickly surround me in a circle of muscle and adoration. I don’t know when or if I’ve ever felt so special, so wanted.
Not far from us, a strong fire crackles, and a four-poster bed, covered in feather-filled quilts and furs, calls out to me. Beyond the fireplace, the room is lit by a few candles, and their light dances over the wood paneling and tapestries.
Cupping my cheek, Tynan draws my gaze toward him. “I’m so sorry about last night.”
“What did he do last night?” Zogar asks gruffly, as his hand slides possessively over my back.
“He saved me.” I smile softly at Tynan and then look toward Zogar. “Tynan protected me. That’s all you need to know.”
Zogar grunts. It’s going to be some time before Zogar trusts Tynan again, but I’m sure he’ll get there. Tynan’s willingness to admit his complicity in some of his father’s actions was brave and admirable, and Xendus’s assurances washed away the last of my doubts and fears. I don’t think Tynan can hide his true self from me, and I know he can’t hide his thoughts from Xendus.
Saxon lifts one of my hands to his lips. “Tell us what you want, ma chérie. Tell us what you need.”
All three of them caress me softly, respectfully, and I pull in a ragged breath. “I’m so overwhelmed. I don’t know what I want.”
“Would you like us to leave you alone for tonight?” Saxon asks. “So you can sleep.”
I vigorously shake my head. “No. Please. I want you to stay. All of you.” I glance between them as they continue to touch me softly. “I need to have you near me. And I need tofeelyour love—physically and deeply.” I suck in a sharp breath. My words sound so greedy, and we’ve got so much to discuss.
My biggest question is whether it’s truly possible for one woman to love three men so deeply—and whether those men can accept that she does. If I’m forced to choose, how will I go on without each one of them?
