“You said you can only offer me a temporary relationship.”
“Yes, a temporary relationship that satisfies us both. We are from two different worlds, and I must return to mine eventually. But that doesn't mean you get to use me until I leave. That would be a service, not a relationship, and I am a diplomat, not an offering or a tribute.”
“The thought of belonging to me, even temporarily, insults you?”
“You're not talking about the romantic type of belonging in which two people belong to each other. You want to own me like a possession. Of course, it's insulting!”
“You are baffling! First, you say I want too much sex. Then I explain, and you say you understand. But when I ask you to submit to me, you say I'm using you. I tell you I want you to be mine, and you say I insult you. You are insulting me! I am the King of Ilshi. Belonging to me is an honor.”
“Like one of your slaves?”
“They don't belong to me!”
I blinked. “Now I'm confused.”
“They serve me for five years. It's an obligation. That does not make them mine—not my lovers or even my companions. They are slaves. I accept what they offer. There is only that between us. That is not what I want from you.”
“It isn't? But you said submit. That word implies dominance on your part.”
“I'm the King!” He opened his arms. “I am dominant. That is part of ruling.”
I held up a hand. “We are using words that confuse each other. Let us speak plainly. I will tell you what I want, and you will tell me what you want. Then we can decide what we can accept from each other.”
Jucai frowned, but then nodded. “What do you want, Nadar?”
“I want to get to know you as well as bed you. I want to be a loveranda companion to you. It will not be forever,but nothing short of mating is. I think we can have a good time together while I'm here, but I do not want to feel like a possession. I want you to show me respect. Now, what do you want?”
“I want to fuck you.”
I burst out laughing.
He smirked. “And I'd like to know you as well. I want to hear about your kingdom and yourself. When I say submit, I mean to my urges. My dread and I are fresh from hibernation and have needs. My court may seem hedonistic to you because of this, but this is not our usual behavior. We are trying to satisfy urges that have built up over centuries. My needs are important. If I don't satisfy them, I cannot rule properly. I want you to satisfy those needs because you excite me and rouse my passions like no other. But if you refuse to help me with those needs, I will be forced to go to my bed slaves.
“You need a lot of sex to rule?” I teased. When he scowled, I went on, “I'm sorry. I was trying to make light of it. I meant it when I said I understood. What I didn't understand was just how demanding your urges were.”
“Then what say you?” Jucai's expression tightened, prepared for the worst.
“I don't like the word submit, but I will receive you when you need me.”
Jucai grinned.
I held up a hand. “You, of course, may take whomever you wish to your bed. But if that person is not me, I reserve the right to do the same.”
His grin vanished. “We already discussed this. You agreed not to allow anyone to penetrate you.”
Here we go. Time for the big play. I needed Jucai to focus on me if I wanted to influence him. So, I had to keep him away from his bed slaves. That meant amending our previous agreement. To get him to agree to that, I had to act infatuated. How does one act when they're infatuated?
“I wasn't being honest about what I wanted when I made that agreement with you. I barely had time to think it over. Now, I know I would prefer a more monogamous relationship or one with no commitment at all. I know it's only been a day, but—.”
“Nearly two.”
“It is just over a day, and that's barely any time at all. I know I'm asking a lot, but if we're going to be faithful, I want complete fidelity. No touching anyone but each other. I’m sure you’ll be tempted to summon a slave or two when I’m not there.
“Usually I summon ten.”
I gaped at him. “Ten?!” Then I cleared my throat. “If you bed even one of them, or receive sexual pleasure from them, I will see that as your decision to keep our relationship open. In which case—”
“Open?” he interrupted.
