Ex-slaves murmured and nodded.
Jucai bent his head. When he looked up, his eyes were wet with tears. “We do not deserve your kindness. Thank you for giving us another chance.”
The freed slaves bowed to him, and as they did, Jucai looked over at me. I smiled and nodded. He beamed back, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. Even after I had told him how his slaves felt, Jucai hadn't truly understood how bad it was. Not until now.
The rest of his dread descended the steps and went out among the people, most going to their bed slaves to speak with them. And then I noticed a large group of bed slaves making their way to the King. I recognized a few from Jucai's harems.
“That son of a bitch,” I hissed. “He said he would dismiss them!”
As if he could hear me, Jucai's gaze shot to me and then to his bed slaves. He spoke with them, but he kept glancing at me. I folded my arms and glared at him. Grimacing, Jucai gave up on me and focused on them. He stroked their hair and kissed their cheeks as he spoke with them, stoking the fires of my fury. At last, they bowed to him and left. Only then did Jucai head my way.
I turned around and left the throne room through his private door.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Nadar!” Jucai grabbed my arm to stop me.
“Well done.” I jerked my arm out of his grasp. “I'm happy for you and your dread.”
Jucai grimaced. “I was going to dismiss my bed slaves, but I've been busy, mostly with you.”
I crossed my arms and cocked my head. “So, it's my fault that you didn't keep your promise?”
“No, of course not. Gods damn it, Nadar! I haven't been with any of them since you came to court.”
Bantar had said the same thing. Besides, when would he have had time to bed a slave? We had spent little time apart in Kansu.
I uncrossed my arms. “Then why didn't you dismiss your bed slaves as you said you would?”
“Honestly, I didn't want to hurt their feelings.” He rolled his eyes. “Little did I know that they would have been happy to be released.”
“Is that what they said?”
“Not in those words, but they didn't seem upset about becoming members of the household staff.”
“Probably because they know you'll have to seduce them if you want to be with them again.”
“Yes, that must be it.” Jucai held his arrogant expression for a few seconds before he burst out laughing. “What have you done to me? I don't even care that they don't want me.”
“But a mere Land Dragon diplomat couldn't have done anything to the great King of Ilshi,” I teased. “It must be magic.”
Expression going tender, Jucai pulled me into an embrace. “It is most definitely magic, and we need to settle it. Now.”
We had come back from the caves, bathed, and fallen asleep in each other’s arms, too exhausted for more. Just being close had been enough for us. When I woke, I expected to have wild sex that would trigger our mating magic. But Jucai was already gone, off seeing to the storage of the magic disruptors and the gathering of all the slaves in the palace.
In short, we hadn't made love since before my capture.
“Yes, I think it's time.” I took Jucai's hand, and we hurried to the royal apartments, breaking into a run halfway there.
The guards gaped at us as we ran past, but we only laughed. By the time we made it up the stairs to his bedroom, we were both winded and fell onto the mattress, gasping and giggling. At last, our amusement faded, and we caught our breath.
I turned onto my side. Fake sunlight streamed past the columns to bathe Jucai. His green eyes glittered, his hair glowed, and his skin shone. There had never been a more beautiful man. I pushed back his hair, threading my fingers through the silken strands, and removed his crown. After setting it atop the headboard-table, I leaned over to kiss him.
Full lips pillowed mine, and a teasing tongue flicked out to draw me in. Salt and cinnamon rose around us, and I breathed him in. Just kissing Jucai sent a thrill down my belly. My cock came to attention, ready to serve the King. The thought had me pulling back.
Jucai blinked up at me and then frowned. “Nadar?”
I knew in my bones that if we went any further, we would mate. This was my last moment of freedom. I'd be enslaved to Jucai more thoroughly than any of his bed slaves had been. There would be no chains, but I'd be tied to him nonetheless. Forever. My heart started to race. Did I really want to live under the sea? Give up my life and career for him?
