Page 28

Then I remember.

I crack one eye open. Gentle morning light streams through tall windows, illuminating the evidence of debauchery. In the center of the grand hall, the breeding benches and prepping tables stand abandoned, haphazardly covered with towels and Elle's bra. Jars of lube divorced from their matching lids lie in disarray on the long tables. Empty water glasses and food bowls roll across the floor.

Scattered around the room are snoring bundles wrapped in blankets. One of Thea's cloven hooves emerges from a tight pile of indistinguishable bodies. Anna is sandwiched between two pintos, her careful eyeliner smeared into raccoon eyes. I note that Magnus's arms are wrapped around Vincent's torso, his face tucked against the other stallion's neck, yet the bearded centaur's loud snores don't appear to disturb his sleeping companion.

The deepest sound in the room comes from Jethro, of course. Ashton is draped over his round stomach, rising and falling dramatically with each of the giant centaur's rumbling breaths. At Jethro's side, Fallon comically stretches his arms and all four legs into the air at the same time with a loud yawn before coiling up again.

It's a lazy, peaceful morning…and it means the party is over.

The heaviness in my limbs is no longer satisfying. I don't want to get up. I don't want to sit in an uncomfortable carriage for hours. I don't want to leave.

Alaric yawns and squeezes me. "Morning."

"Apparently." My voice is a weak rasp. That's what sucking a dozen centaur cocks will do to you.

Alaric chuckles. His hand rests on the blanket, over my stomach, which remains partially distended despite leaking cum all night. He slowly drags his fingers up my chest…

"Ow!" I hiss. "Ow, fuck!"

His head pops up behind me. "Shit, what?!"

"Oooo, my nipple ring is caught on the blanket — ow ow ow — "

"Hang on! I got it!"

I grimace. Alaric snakes his hand under the blanket, finds the problem, and carefully teases the loose thread from the metal. As he resettles behind me, he protectively covers my nipple with his hand. "You're saved."

"My hero," I croak dryly.

Alaric laughs. He kisses the back of my neck…then trails slow kisses along my shoulder. Am I imagining how lingering his lips are? Is he normally this affectionate with a mare? Damnit, I should know better than to read too much into it.

Alaric's mouth moves against my skin as he murmurs. "I truly hope you realize…how amazing you are."

Fuck. My chest squeezes. Heat blooms across my cheeks. Thank the gods I'm facing away from him. "Oh, I know," I reply primly.

He laughs. Is the soft sound tinged with regret? Is he reluctant for me to leave, too?

Fucking stop it, Caden! I scold myself. This is my job. I was hired to play a sassy brat, and Alaric likes to tease, so he enjoyed it. That's all.

…So why does it feel like there was a point in the night when I abandoned the performance? When I became genuinely myself, and that's when I delighted him? Alaric made me laugh so many times, yet his fondness feels like he's not joking at all.

When an attendant strides by, Alaric flags them down and has them bring me a glass of fruit juice. The cool, sweet drink soothes my painful throat. As soon as I empty the glass, Alaric sets it aside and draws me back into his strong arms.

"Ugh, I could sleep for a week," I mumble. "I think I fucking will, actually."

"You have time to recover before your next job, right? You don't have to work while you're sore?"

"Oh, yeah. My boss already told me I have a week off after this." I chuckle hoarsely. "Can't believe I complained about it. Told him I wouldn't need more than a couple of days."

"What did he say to that?"

"Rolled his eyes and threatened to make me take two weeks off if I kept bitching." I yawn, shift one leg the tiniest bit, and wince. "Fuck, I see his point. Damn."

"He's a good boss, then? Looks after you?"

I blink. Alaric sounds so…serious.

I shift in his arms so I can eye him over my shoulder. "…Yeah? 'Course. Did you think your king hired one of those shady agencies run by assholes?"