Page 19 of The Forgotten Throne

I frowned at her as I looked at the other men around the fire, stopping on Ballard last. “They haven’t told you anything?” I asked Helena even though I was looking at her husband.

“Oh, it’s nothing to fret over, dear. I’m used to finding out with everyone else what’s going on around us,” she shared, patting my hand, trying to ease my distress.

“Nothing that I or Zan have shared about Sheca was meant to be kept hidden from everyone.” I shifted my gaze to Acton. “You weren’t asking on behalf of your people you so claim to protect?”

“Your Highness—” Acton started to speak but I held up a hand to stop him.

“No, I don’t want to hear excuses from you or anyone else. You call me your queen, but I don’t actually think you believe it or respect the title when it comes to me. I was just informed that Paxton was taken in and interrogated by you, but not once have you mentioned it to me. Now why would that be? Did you not question him in an effort to protect our people or was it for some other reason that you felt the need to drill him for information? A trusting person might see these small missteps as nothing to worry about, but I am not that trusting or that stupid, which you would know if you paid attention to things other than your own status.” I rose to my feet and looked all the Clan Leaders in the eye for a moment. “Consider this your final warning. The title of Clan Leader is no longer needed. Once we get to Sheca, things will change. You can change with them, or you can be left behind outside the circle of protection I offer. That is up to you. Goodnight,” I retorted.

I went to walk away then paused as Helena reached out to me. “Might I have some of your time tomorrow?”

“I would enjoy that,” I answered with a smile. “‘Til tomorrow, rest well and stay warm.”

Deciding that I was done interacting with people, I headed to the fire that was located near where my tent was set up surrounded by my guardians. I plopped down on a blanket that was folded up and waiting for me, dropping my head into my hands and letting out an irritated grunt. Becka and May settled in beside me, lending their silent support while the rest of my guardians appeared out of the night to join us too. After some time, I was tapped on the shoulder and handed a cup full of hot sweet-smelling liquid. I took a sip, and it burned the tip of my tongue. I had to blow on it a bit, but the warmth was welcome. It was thick and rich, made with chocolate and something else that added a bit of a kick to it that warmed my tummy when it hit.

“Make sure to drink that slowly so you don’t get a hangover tomorrow,” Dayson advised. “It’s something we Bronze Reapers drink on those cold winter nights up in the mountains when we’re snowed in for the day. Drink too much of it though, and you’ll be tossing off clothes faster than you realize, standing in the middle of a snowbank buck-ass naked.”

May snorted. “I think you’re the only one dumb enough to do that.”

“Ha, I recall a time not so long ago I caught you behind the woodshed with your tongue down someone’s throat while his manhood was seeking shelter in a different hole,” Dayson shot back.

“You’re forgetting that we ended up back at his home where his wife joined in on the fun,” May said with a grin. “Ah, the things chatla will open your mind to once it breaks down your inhibitions.”

Intrigued, I leaned in and whispered, “You take both male and female partners to bed?” I’d heard of people doing this, not caring if they are the same sex or not, but it was never spoken about in the environment I grew up in.

“It’s simple, Cassarah. I like who I like and love who I want to love. If they are willing, then so am I. The world puts too many rules in place. I feel like it’s my duty to show others there is another way to live. It’s not for everyone, but sometimes all a person needs is to know other like-minded people are out there,” May explained. “Like you, not all women can take more than one love and have things work out. But you, you have such a large heart, you can’t help but share it. The world will tell you it’s odd or different, but I say follow your heart because your head isn’t always right.”

I sat there stunned at what she’d just said and how it seemed to hit home on one of the things I’d been worried about. I knew it was more accepted for me to take more than one lover but that didn’t mean that everyone would agree. It had been centuries since Miranda and her men lived, and from what I’ve seen, most people only kept one partner. Yet here was May, unattached as far as I knew, taking life by the reins and doing what made her happy.

“Woman, I think that is the most I have ever heard you say at one time,” Becka joked. “How much chatla have you had?” May just gave her a look that sent Becka into a fit of laughter as she brushed off the visual threat. “Down, girl, down. I’m just impressed is all.”

May’s response was to grunt and take a sip of her drink, ignoring my best friend completely. The interaction brought a smile to my face as I too enjoyed the warm drink... carefully.

Chapter Twelve

Men and Mornings

That night I spent it alone in my tent and discovered how much of a difference not having two other warm bodies in the space made. I swore I shivered throughout the whole night until I finally gave up and headed out of my tent to make some hot water in hopes that would help. The sun was far from rising and warming up the freezing air but moving around had to be better than being a shivering ball on the ground. The fire was a glowing bed of coals as someone packed it in, preserving it to use in the morning which I was thankful for. I found a pot to heat the water in and trudged over to the river, slamming the pot on the ice to break it.

“You’re awake early,” Izel said, his calming voice fitting for the early quietness.

Dipping the pot, I filled it fairly full, unsure if anyone else would want something warm to drink. “I was so cold I couldn’t sleep.”

“One of us should have been with you. I knew the temperature was going to drop, I could feel it in my bones,” he muttered to himself.

“Too late now. I’m already up and moving around seems to be helping.”

Izel took the pot from my hand and tucked me into his side so he could wrap part of his cloak around me as we walked back. “What were you planning to make with the water?”

“Nothing really. I just hoped it would warm my hands along with my insides.” I chuckled. “Not the best plan but it was all I could think of to get warm fast.”

He started to build up the fire and then set the pot right in the center of the hot coals to heat. Without saying a word, he left and entered his tent. He returned with one of his packs and a blanket. Before I could object, he sat down, crossed his legs, and pulled me onto his lap where he settled his cloak around my shoulders and added the blanket over my lap. Cocooned in warmth, Izel took one hand and started to rub the warmth back into it and then moved to the next. “Better?” he asked, his lips brushing my ear.

Licking my lips which had suddenly gone dry, I managed a breathy, “Yes.”

Once both hands were back to their normal temperature, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me tight against his chest, dropping his chin over my shoulder in a tight hug. The silence between us was comfortable and even though sitting in his lap wasn’t what I would normally have allowed, it was the warmest I’d been all night since I went to bed. Izel was a man of honor, but I could tell from where I sat that he was pleased with me being this close. I might not have ever experienced a man before, but I did study anatomy and had lessons on how children were made. I wasn’t completely ignorant. As if he sensed where my mind had wandered, he shifted his head, so his nose ran up along my neck until it reached behind my ear where he placed a soft kiss.

I let out a sigh as my body relaxed into his, giving him the encouragement he needed to place another kiss a little further down, taking his time and allowing me the chance to object as he kissed along my neck then back up to trail down my jaw line. Turning to face him, he caught my lips with his, allowing me to set the pace, never once pushing me for more, just enjoying the sensation between us. His hands released their hold and slipped under my shirt until they rested on the bare skin of my ribs. I tensed and he paused, holding perfectly still, waiting for me to decide whether we continued or not. I pulled back and looked into his stunning dark eyes that held such tender emotions as they looked back at me.