“I don’t understand.”
Me neither, though I didn’t dare voice my ignorance to the far more experienced knight.
“Some people find delight in being controlled. Bound, seemingly helpless, they manage to surrender to a place that most of us can only dream of achieving. Tlacel finds strength in surrender. Sekh does not.”
I couldn’t imagine the stone sphinx ever being controlled or helpless. He certainly wouldn’t enjoy such feelings.
Me either. I’d spent too much of my life fighting to survive. I’d go down swinging and biting and clawing before I’d ever surrender.
Guillaume inclined his head to Leonie and then went down the hallway to his room. Most of us didn’t bother with claiminga bedroom as our own. What was the point? We didn’t sleep unless we were injured or weakened. Maybe it was an older Aima thing, because Mehen claimed a room for himself too. Though knowing the dragon, he kept his most precious books hidden in case Carys decided to reorganize the library again.
After a few more minutes, I felt the twins and general approaching the door, so I gave them the same warning.
When they finally exited, I was even more confused. Itztli came out first in nothing but jeans. His bare chest still bled from what looked like claw marks, as if he’d tangled with Sekh’s sphinx.
Leonie inhaled sharply but didn’t say anything. Itztli loved pain. For all I knew, he’d given himself all those marks with his own obsidian blade.
Tlacel and Sekh walked out together, sharing a blanket, one corner wrapped around each male’s hips. With the general’s arm slung around the other Blood’s shoulders, they headed downstairs. Nothing but easy camaraderie glowed in the formidable general’s eyes. Maybe even, dare I say, affection? Even though he’d supposedly lost.
Grudgingly, I had to admit I’d always considered Tlacel a weak Blood. I assumed Shara had taken him as Blood simply because the twins were a package deal.
Evidently, I couldn’t be more wrong. I almost wished she’d called me into the room earlier, simply so I could’ve seen the challenge play out, even though I didn’t relish watching her fuck her males.
Daire was the other weak Blood in my mind. I couldn’t imagine Sekh walking down the stairs with his arm so casually draped around Daire’s shoulders. Sekh made his disdain more than clear for the other Blood.
“Damn,” Leonie whispered. “Do you understand what happened?”
“Not a clue,” I admitted.
“Why are you warning everyone that I’m here? Did I break a rule?”
“We don’t have any rules. I mean, outside of normal court rules. Blood to queen rules. Obey the alpha or suffer the consequences. But our queen doesn’t like her Blood to be naked around other queens.”
“Oh.” Leonie’s eyes narrowed with consideration. “She did say her alpha wouldn’t touch me.”
“Rik’s alright as far as male alphas go. He’s always been respectful of my personal boundaries.”
“Which are?” When I hesitated, she bit her lip. “Sorry, I know that’s a personal question. But I assumed… I mean you’re female, and she seemed to imply… I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m not offended, and you’re right. I don’t touch her males, and they don’t touch me. The only time I’m intimate with other people in my queen’s presence is with other females. Rik’s always there, of course, but he doesn’t mind vacating the bed.”
She nodded, weighing my words. Looking up at me through her lashes and then looking away. “Then I offer an additional apology for intruding on your private time with her.”
Relaxing enough to grin, I flipped my braids back over my shoulders. “As far as I’m concerned, I owe you my thanks. Having another queen interested in sharing her bed means more opportunities for me to assist in any way she desires.”
She smiled back, her eyes softening. “You’re welcome.”
24
SHARA
Ialready pulled in all the blood and cum in the bedroom into my energy, but it still felt disrespectful to bring another woman into my bed with used linens. Though I supposed Vivian had often joined me in the bed during or after the men. I made a mental note to ask if that bothered her.
Naturally Rik wouldn’t let me help him and Lew with something as mundane as changing the sheets. I’d pulled on a robe and corralled my hair back into the heavy bun at the base of my skull. Though tendrils kept slipping free. I thought about taking a quick shower too, but with all this hair, there’d be nothing quick about washing it. I didn’t physically need soap and water to cleanse myself. Even my hair after absorbing both blood and cum. I just worried…
Sigh. Full stop.
My nerves were getting the best of me. I hadn’t welcomed a woman to my bed for the first time in a while. Even Mayte had beenherbed—at least her guest room—and then outside at the grotto. She’d never stepped into my personal bedroom, let alone after I’d worked my way through thirteen men. Some multiple times.
