19
Wellion returned from the baths a good twenty minutes after Calrain, Yarim, and Riann had left, clearly in a hurry to get back to their woman. He felt a twinge of jealousy, knowing damn well that at least one of them would have her again tonight, but overall, he was happy to have the bathing pool mostly tohimself.
They’d had to sneak down here in cloaks, since walking more than twenty yards away from Tariel immediately negated the spell, and Wellion wrapped the cloak around him now as he snuck back into the inn, heading directly up the stairs to his room. He was bone tired and planned on a nap before heading down to dinner with theothers.
But as he passed by Tariel’s room, he realized it might be some time before they were ready. Her breathy moans were audible even through the sturdy walls, and Wellion gritted his teeth against a flash ofheat.
Is she in there right now with all of them?he wondered as he let himself into his own room. Letting them take her every which way? His cock hardened as an unbidden image of Tariel kneeling on the floor between her men, naked and wet, while one of them pounded into her from behind, took over hismind.
Stop it,he told himself, flopping on the bed. But he couldn’t help the raw need coursing through him, nor the jealousy eating at his heart. There was no denying it—he wanted the dark-haired woman with her sinful smile and bewitching eyes. So much that he even entertained the idea of walking in and joining them, despite his earlier declaration that he didn’tshare.
“Ah, there you are,” a female voice said, and Wellion jerked upright as Zolotais shimmered into view at the foot of his bed. “I was wondering when you wouldreturn.”
“What do you want?” he demanded, hastily throwing a pillow over his lap to cover his erection. He had just been thinking about taking matters into his own hands, so to speak, and was glad he hadn’t unbuttoned his pants yet. “Haven’t you ever heard ofknocking?”
“I am non-corporeal,” Zolotais said dryly, passing her hand through the footboard of his bed. “I am afraid knocking would have noeffect.”
“It was a figure of speech,” Wellion said, rolling his eyes. But he sat up, propping his back against the pillows as he met the spirit’s eyes. “Did you come here to get away from all the moaning and groaning nextdoor?”
Zolotais smirked. “I can block out outside noises easily enough when I am in the abacus,” she said. “I came here because I wanted to talk to you about yourmagic.”
“My magic?” Wellion asked warily. Had she overheard his conversation withRiann?
“Yes. I can see it quite clearly in your aura, though it is but a sprinkling compared to a full-fledged mage,” Zolotais said. “Even so, I believe that if you made love to Tariel, and spoke the ritual words, you might strengthen the bit of magic that youhave.”
“The ritual?” Wellion thought back to what Riann had told him about it, suddenly intrigued. “But doesn’t that involve sleeping with multiplepartners?”
“It does for females,” Zolotais said, “but I have a suspicion that for you, it might not benecessary.”
Wellion scowled. “Are you saying this because you want to help me, or because you want me to join Tariel’sharem?”
“Can it not be both?” Zolotais countered. “Tariel might have misgivings about you, but I think you would be an excellent addition to the harem. Her men are loyal, and all bring value to the little group she has established, but Calrain and Riann are quite innocent, and Yarim is a nobleman who until recently has been sheltered all his life. Tariel could use a man like you, one who knows how to be ruthless when necessary, and who does not let his emotions cloud his judgment when forced to make toughdecisions.”
“You speak quite highly of me for someone who has only known me for a matter of hours,” Wellion pointed out. He was flattered despite himself, but did his best to remain nonchalant. “How do you know that I am not just a thug, like my father’s othermen?”
“Because you are here with Tariel, instead of them,” Zolotais said. “I pride myself on being an excellent judge of character. Despite your uncouth ways and lack of chivalry, I think you would make a good addition to thisgroup.”
Wellion scowled. “Be that as it may, I have no intention of joining anyone’s harem,” he said. “I did not escape the forced servitude of one megalomaniac only to find myself bound toanother.”
“You know it would not be that way,” Zolotais said. “Tariel is not a power-hungry individual. She merely wishes to find a place that she belongs…and so do you, Ithink.”
“Hmph.” But the truth in her words gave Wellion pause. “I will think on what you havesaid.”
“Good enough.” Zolotais smiled. “I do believe they are finished now. I will remind Tariel that you need to eat, and cannot go downstairs without her to maintain yourdisguise.”
Wellion opened his mouth, ready to protest that he did not need Tariel to hold his hand, but Zolotais had already disappeared. Sighing, he flopped back onto the mattress again, noting that the moans next door had stopped. He had completely forgotten about them during his short conversation with the desertspirit.
At least my erection is gone now,he thought ruefully, glancing down at his trousers again. He sat up at a knock at the door, and opened it to find Yarim standing there, disguised oncemore.
“Come, wife,” he said. “It’s time fordinner.”
“Yes, husband,” Wellion said sweetly in a high, girlish voice. He thought about looping his arm through Yarim’s and snuggling close for good measure, but decided he didn’t want a black eye just now. Besides, the Maroyan seemed in a good mood, his usual sneer conspicuouslyabsent.
“Behave,” Tariel said as Wellion stepped in the hall, but she sounded reluctantly amused. Wellion blinked at the sight of her—she was radiant, her skin glowing, her eyes bright with renewed vigor. He could practically feel the air sizzling around her with magic as she reached for him, and a shiver skipped across his skin as she used that magic to turn him back into awoman.
“If I didn’t already have a husband, I imagine I could use this disguise to get quite a few free drinks,” Wellion remarked, looking down at himself. Tariel had made him almost as curvy as she was, with an impressive set of breasts and a dress that showed off his new figure quite well. “You’ll have to pretend that you’re actually in love with me, or others will start to wonder if you prefermen.”
Yarim smirked. “Riann reserved a private dining room for us so that we could talk without being overheard,” he said. “We only need to keep up this charade until we getthere.”
