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"The king. Do you see him?"

I search for the regal dapple gray centaur, King Tall-Dark-and-Handsome. "No?"

Alaric smiles. "Hmm. The king doesn't usually leave his own party. Interesting. Verrrrry interesting."

"Where do you think he went?"

"Good question, Kitten. Maybe a shy little virgin peeped on the orgy when he wasn't supposed to, and King Idris had to chase after him to assure him we weren't killing you."

"…Do you even believe half the shit you make up?"

Alaric's crack of laughter bounces off the walls. "I'll have you know, my powers of prediction are unparalleled."

"Uh-huh."

He nudges me and nods across the room. "Look."

I follow where he's indicating. Magnus is on the ground, legs folded beneath him — and Vincent has him pinned. Vincent's forelegs anchor around Magnus's middle as he drives into the other stallion with fierce, forceful strokes. Both of their expressions are wrecked.

Alaric winks smugly. "Told you so."

"They're cute together."

"They're idiots."

"Yeah." I shrug. "Still cute."

Alaric laughs. The bright sound warms my chest fondly. I look away, popping a grape into my mouth. "How long will the party last?"

"Oh, all night. Even when the mares are fully bred, some people fuck until the sun rises."

Speaking of which…I eye Alaric. He came only once. That can't possibly satisfy a randy, red-blooded centaur stallion. He doesn't look impatient, but he would probably appreciate the chance to put another load in a mare's warm hole before my colleagues are too sore.

"You can go back to the orgy, you know. If you want."

I don't like how the words taste. I say them anyway. I appreciate Alaric holding me through my overwhelm, but it would be selfish to insist he stay with me all night.

Alaric's bronze earrings glint in the candlelight as he tilts his head. He smiles. "You trying to get rid of me, kitty-cat? Not a fan of post-gangbang pillow talk?"

"No, it's just that I'll fall asleep any second, to be honest. And I assume you want to breed the other mares."

Alaric chuckles breezily. "Nah. I'm your Stud, remember? I'm right where I want to be." He hugs me tight, resting his chin on my head.

"Oh," I whisper dumbly. "Okay."

Moments ago, it was the sensation of melting chocolate. Now the feeling in my chest is the bright pop and fizz of champagne. It's happiness tinged with warm hopefulness, and I know I should squash the impulse before it becomes a doomed crush…but I don't. I cuddle tighter against Alaric's chest instead.

The lust in the room feels familiar and safe. I taste cum and equine sweat in the hot, thick air. Carnal sounds wash over me as my eyes slowly close: deep grunts, throaty moans, creaking furniture, wet squelches, flesh slapping. It all blends into peaceful white noise.

I let Alaric's steady breathing under my cheek and the waves of pleasure rolling through the room lull me into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Chapter Twelve

Ireally don't want to move.

I'm coiled in a comfortable blanket, cradled by plush pillows. All my limbs feel heavy in a satisfying post-workout way. Sure, my throat burns like I ate broken glass, and my ass and hips ache…but if I never move again, I'll be fine. Right? Right.

A heavy arm is slung over my waist. The warm torso against my back breathes slowly and steadily, and two soft yet strangely shaped legs press against the back of my thighs. My cuddly companion twitches and pulls me tighter. Mmmm, I think. This is nice.