I raise my chin. “Just because Tynan’s been dipping his rod, doesn’t make him atraitor.”
Surath’s eyes narrow. “If Xendus’s cock dared venture close to another woman, I’d slice it off.”
I shake my head, and the fire in Surath’s eyes softens.
Her declaration stirs up all my conflicting feelings about love and fidelity. I bend up one leg and put my head in my hands. “I’m so confused.”
“About Tynan’s betrayal?” she asks.
“Yes, but about other, more emotional things.”
“What things?” she asks softly, and I’m grateful to have another woman to talk to about this.
“I’m confused about love, about my feelings, about everything.”
“Talk to me.” She squeezes my hand. “I won’t betray your confidence. Not even to my king.”
I smile softly as I look into her turquoise eyes. She might be manipulating me, but my gut says I can trust her.
“I love Zogar.” I gasp. I’ve told her something I’ve not yet told him, although he probably knows. I’m sure I had thoughts of love, while bonded to him on his back.
“During our time together in the Darkness, our relationship deepened. But—” My voice breaks. I need Surath to understand my dilemma. “I love Zogar. Deeply. But I also love Saxon andTynan. I love allthreeof them.” I’m ashamed to admit this, and afraid it might drive Surath to break my confidence.
“Even if you love more than one man.” Surath nods. “How does that excuse what Tynan has done? Are you saying you’d share your cunt with any random man offering his cock?”
“No.” I shake my head quickly. “Of course not.”
“Would you lie with a man who’senslaved, who’s fucking you to avoid punishment, or to stay alive?”
Disgusted, I shake my head, but I still refuse to believe that’s what Tynan is doing. I don’t understand why he’s remained in Khotor for so long, but I refuse to believe that it’s because he’s turned against us, turned against me.
“Zogar and Saxon both love you deeply,” Surath says softly.
My eyes widen. “How do you know that?”
“My brother told me how he feels, and while it’s been many moon cycles since Saxon’s ridden my knot, I know he fell in love with you—fast and hard—a very long time ago.”
I drag in a shuddering warm breath, and a soft smile teases my lips. It’s possible that Surath knew about Saxon’s feelings for me, even before I did. “I do know that Saxon loves me. And I love him. Deeply. But…”
“But what?”
“Zogar and I—” I kick a pebble into the stream “—we’remarried. And now thathe’sdeclared his love, I’m afraid he won’t allow me to continue my other relationships.”
Surath frowns. “Why would you need your husband’s permission?”
A chuckle bursts out of my chest. “Have youmetmy husband?”
She smiles. “Zogar can be overbearing. That is true. But while I can’t speak for him, I do know that, more than anything, he wants you to be happy.”
I draw my knees into my chest. “I want him to be happy too. I guess that’s what I’m afraid of. I’m afraid that Zogar won’t be happy, unless I give up Saxon and Tynan.” He still hasn’t fully explained how our vows changed, and refused to discuss our future, when I tried to bring it up.
Staring into the stream, Surath draws a long breath, and my discomfort grows with every moment she doesn’t reply.
She throws a rock into the water. “I understand your fear. Zogar is a proud man. He’s always been. And he can be ruthless.” She turns toward me. “But Rosomon.” She touches my hand. “In my entire life, I’ve never seen Zogar set someone else’s happiness above his own, like he has yours.”
“But he took care of you when you were a baby. And he’s determined to save his people, and to save everyone in the Light.” Most in the Darkness too.
“That’s different.” She flips her wrist. “It’s true that my brother is burdened with an extreme sense of duty, but that’s not what I meant.”
