Gambria arches an eyebrow. “Youare going to kill the god king?”
There’s something about her that reminds me of Mikail. Perhaps they’ve simply known each other a long time.
“Our plan is to kill him with the help of Quilimar,” Mikail says.
The wives exchange glances in an unspoken language—their connection is deeper than words. Suddenly, I’m reminded of Hana—my first love. We used to be able to speak through a look in school. I turn away, feeling so homesick I could cry. But I’m longing for a home that I lost two years ago. It’s just another thing that’s gone. Another soul.
I shake off the disappointment and heartbreak. At some point, I know it’ll all be too heavy to ignore, but I’ll make Seok pay first.
Mikail walks over to Gambria, and they speak in hushed tones.
I’m left standing in awkward silence with a woman I can’t communicate with and a man I am unsure about.
Eventually, Mikail and Gambria come back.
“We are going to bathe and change, and then Gambria is going to come with us to Quu,” Mikail announces.
Euyn’s eyebrows nearly hit his hairline. “And why is that?”
“Because Gambria has…history with Quilimar,” Mikail says. “It could prove useful if Royo and Aeri were unsuccessful.”
Lyria’s eyes volley as she tries to absorb what Mikail is saying in Yusanian. Gambria says something to Lyria in Marnan, and her wife’s face gets stormy. Then she stomps off in the other direction.
Gambria’s face falls, but she takes a breath and then gestures over her shoulder. “Come with me.”
We follow, but my shoulders sag. Apparently, we’re going to ruin everything and every relationship around us.
But sometimes, losing everything is the only way to get what you want.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Aeri
The Northern Pass, Khitan
I’m lying on a soft fur as snow falls gently all around us. I stare up at the billion stars and the waving haze of the Night Rays of the Sun King.
And, best of all, Royo is on top of me.
He kisses me, savoring my mouth while he cradles my neck in his hand. He’s taking his time, whereas I’ve been on a mission to get his clothes off. My legs are wrapped around him, but we’re both sadly still fully clothed.
I sigh.
Finally, he gives in. A little. He slides off his jacket and then a vest that contains a shocking number of knives.
For the first time since I can remember, I don’t think about stealing a weapon. I don’t think about anything other than him.
Royo takes his shirt off, and I do as well. But I leave on my camisole, so I don’t scandalize him just yet.
He stares down at me. “Ten Hells, you’re beautiful.”
His compliment flushes through me, and then his weight is on me again. I run my hands over the broadness of his back and shoulders. His skin is scarred but so much softer than I expected. I’m savoring every place I get to touch, every bit of him that he’s allowed to be exposed. And yes, fine, I’m also trying to push his pants down. In fairness to me, though, I’ve thought about thisa lot.
But I get distracted by his touch. His rough hands roam over me—my arms, my breasts, and my waist. He’s trying to be gentle, but his touch claims every inch of me. I make sure not to flinch or recoil, and he doesn’t graze my amulet again. I really don’t care about time right now, though. All I want is more of this.
All I want is more of him. Yet even though his desire presses into me, he doesn’t try to undress me.
I take it back—he’s killing me. I’m aching for him. The throbbing between my legs is intolerable.
