I shook my head. “They don’t have our instincts. You should show her why you are worthy by doingsomeof the things we do for our females. Pay attention to what she likes and tend to her. But our natural aggressiveness will frighten most human females. And don’t hunt her without explaining what happens during the event.” I paused. “That’s actually the most important thing… talk to her about what it means to be courted by adaemon male. She can’t consent to a mating or reject you if she doesn’t understand what’s happening.”
“What about…” the king paused, a wince forming on his face. “What about bedding human females? I don’t want to harm her.”
“If you bring her pleasure two or three times before the act and go slowly, she will be fine. As far as I can tell, her body has adjusted to me.” I hesitated to say anything, but I didn’t want him to say something he might regret. “Human females aren’t quite like daemon females. They have hair on their mounds, legs, and beneath their arms. And their bodies are soft rather than thick with muscle. From things that Leda has said to me, commenting on their bodies makes most human females uncomfortable and can drive them away.”
“I see,” Fane said. “Thank you for your advice.”
“I am here if you ever want to discuss courting human females again. Perhaps I will be more help in the future once I understand them better.”
The king laughed. “Perhaps I will be able to help you in the future as well.”
“Actually, that is something I wanted to discuss with you… the status of humans in Penumbra as property unless they are mated to a daemon.”
“I am already in the process of changing that. Unfortunately, it will take time because the High Council will have to approve the status change, and a few of them are proving… resistant.”
“Perhaps I can be of service to you on that matter as well,” I offered.
He immediately understood and nodded. “I will keep that in mind.”
“Leda’s safety is imperative to me, so please don’t hesitate.”
Fane nodded, his expression growing somber. “I won’t.”
We sat in silence before he spoke again.
“I do have one more question,” the king said.
“Of course.”
“I noticed the mating mark in the center of your mate’s palm, but you do not have one. Is the bond incomplete?”
I hesitated. “Yes, it is incomplete.”
The king appeared concerned. “I have heard incomplete bonds are difficult for daemons. How are you doing?”
“You saw how I behaved when she tried to shake your hand,” I pointed out.
He winced. “I see. Do you think you will ever be able to complete the bond?”
I shrugged. “It matters not. I would not change what happened.” When the king merely raised his brows at me, I sighed. “I hope someday it will be so. While she is not a witch, she is absorbing the magic of our realm at an accelerated pace. It is possible she will possess enough power at some point to brand me in return.”
“You realize you are not the only daemon to bond with a human female, correct? Why not ask one of the others?”
I chuckled. “You have seen how possessive I am of my mate. How do you think other daemon males would react?”
With a nod, the king answered, “I see your point.”
No, I would have to wait and see how Leda’s magic developed. And hope that someday she would be able to brand me in return.
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
Leda
After Bokkan and the king left, I turned to Cora.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
