I looked over at the Kaikeyo man, who was coming out of his shock. He noticed me watching him and nodded. There was something in the way he moved that made him seem likeanother man. Maybe it was his new position in court that gave him confidence. I was glad he'd accepted the King's gift. It was the least he deserved.
Thinking back, I remembered more of the attack. As I'd been losing consciousness, I had seen Bantar defend me. There was something odd about the attacker. What was it? There was something hanging from a chain around his neck—some kind of boxy amulet. But it was more than that. I couldn't picture anything more. Just that red fish. Shaking my head, I let it go. Things come easier when you don't dwell on them.
Returning my attention to the sea court, I waited for an outburst. Some kind of protest. None came. To my surprise, they warmly accepted the freed Kaikeyos. A Sea Dragon sitting next to Bantar leaned over to shake Bantar's hand. Bantar took it all with an expression so shocked it almost looked horrified.
As Jucai returned to his seat, a wave of pleasure washed through me. Not because of him, although I was delighted to have him beside me. No, it was his people. The undersea dread had fascinated and then appalled me. Now, my fascination had abated, and I no longer judged them so harshly. These were good people. They were just really fucking horny.
I chuckled softly as I came to that conclusion.
“What are you laughing at?” Jucai leaned in, as if he wanted to share my amusement.
“Myself.” I kissed his cheek. “All my years of training failed me when I was confronted with you and your court. I assumed things I shouldn't have, judged you unfairly, and saw all of you as strange, civilized savages. All I wanted to do was enjoy you for a while and leave.”
Jucai's expression fell into sober lines. “And now?”
“And now I see that you're a warm, welcoming, and caring group of people who look after the other inhabitants of your kingdom with admirable ferocity. Your kingdom can be brutal, but you've carved a haven of beauty and safety amidst it all.”
Jucai's expression transformed again, this time into something so tender that were he someone I'd known for years, I'd think he was in love with me. With mated Dragons, if they weren't in love before the mating, they fell quickly afterwards. Jucai gazed upon me as a mated Dragon would.
Maybe it was magical residue, but I hoped it wasn't. I hoped Jucai was falling in love with me without the aid of magic. Not that love born of mating magic wasn't real. It came not because of the magic but because of what the magic enabled—a look into each other's souls. Jucai and I had only glimpsed each other. Was that glimpse enough to draw us into love? If we were already halfway there, perhaps it was. The big question was—did I love him?
“Nadar?” Jucai squeezed my hand.
I blinked. “Yes?”
“You still haven't explained why you laughed.”
“Because a thought came to me that you weren't the wicked slave owners I believed you to be, just really fucking horny.”
Jucai burst out laughing. “Indeed, we are. I'm sorry it bothers you.”
“I'll get used to it.”
The Sea King lost his cheerful expression. “I want you to be comfortable here, Nadar. This will be your home.”
“I will be comfortable. It will just take some—”
A cry of delight interrupted me, and I looked down to see that a Sea Dragon man had pulled a Leeya woman onto his lap and had his hand up her skirt. As soon as he had her underwear removed, he moved her so that she straddled his lap. I winced as she rode him. Would I ever be comfortable with this? It was fun for a few nights, but to live like this?
Then I saw Bantar. He was watching the couple with a wincing expression. Once again, I wondered if it was all a lie the Sea Dragons told themselves. Did these people truly volunteer for this with eagerness to serve? Or did they volunteer to save their friends and family from this fate?
Bantar caught me watching him and immediately changed his expression to one of amusement. He grinned and inclined his head. I returned the greeting. But I also promised myself that I would speak to Bantar later, away from Sea Dragons.
The image of him fighting off my attacker came to me again. Something was off. I still couldn't figure it out. What was it about my attacker that made me uneasy?
“Nadar?”
I focused on Jucai. “Yes?”
“We can dine in the royal apartments if this makes you uncomfortable.”
It was a considerate offer. So, why did it make my stomach turn? What did I expect? That our almost-matingwould change Jucai so much that he'd turn his court upside down for me?
“No, I'm fine,” I said.
Jucai stood up and held a hand out to me.
“I'm really fine, Jucai.”
