“Mm, that’s lovely, Thalia. So you’re all slippery and wet and naked. Where did your hands feel best?”
“I know this is strange, but…my lower belly. And my thighs.”
“Everyone has different sweet spots. See, this is helping already, I’ll know where to start when the time comes.”
“You—you’re going to touch me there?” She seemed startled for some reason.
“Eventually. Probably not tonight. I’m a patient man. Continue your story?”
“Oh. Well. As I started…doing more, someone from the staff came in. I could hear them moving in the other room, and the bathroom door was ajar.”
“Did you stop?” he whispered, already knowing the answer.
Making her say it was half the fun.
“No. I was scared of getting caught, but…that only made it better. I had to bite down on my hand and be quiet.”
“This story has taught me a lot about you. I’ll keep it in mind for next time.”
“Are we really…not going to?”
“Not tonight.”
She huffed out an angry breath. “I only struggled through that humiliation because I thought it might offer sufficient enticement.”
“Don’t consider it a humiliation. It was only a confidence, one that I will cherish. My wife’s preferences are nobody’s business but mine.”
“You say that with such conviction. If I’m not careful, I’ll start believing in you.”
“Lots of people do, I haven’t been able to work out why yet.”
“It’s because you’re careful with their hearts,” Thalia said. “You’re a fraud, aren’t you? I don’t think you’re a wolf at all.”
“But you’ve seen me change,” he protested.
“Sure, you can turn into a wolf, but at heart, you’re a lamb.”
Ah, she’s joking. For a terrifying moment, he’d feared that she saw straight through him—that she knew he wasn’t fit to fill his brother’s shoes. If not for the entrenchment of his family name, Korin would be leading the pack. As it was, she stood in his shadow and helped him make the right decisions.
“I’m taking that as a compliment. In the morning, I’ll help with deployment of the drones and then I’m taking my wolves to hunt, unless you object.”
“Hunt what?”
“Meat,” he answered, wondering if she found it repugnant. “Though if we run across any intruders, we’ll take care of them, too.”
“I’m sorry we’re not better provisioned.”
“It’s not your fault. I chose to surprise you.” Raff closed his eyes then, listening to the steady thump of her pulse. He could hear her relaxing bit by bit, now that she was sure there would be no naked pouncing.
“And you keep doing it,” she whispered.
“They do say that variety is the best spice for a relationship.”
“Is it? And do we have one?”
“Have what?”
“A relationship.” Her tone made him turn onto his side, so he could see her better, but long hair tumbled across her face, hiding her expression from view.
“That’s a ridiculous question. We chose to get married. We’ve fought together more than once, you saved my life, and we sent your foster mother to the afterworld together. We’re in bed naked. I’ve never had more of a relationship with anyone.”
“Damn,” she said. “When you put it that way, it has been eventful, has it not?”
“All the more reason why we shouldn’t rush the rest. We have three months here and three months in Pine Ridge. At some point, you’ll want me. I mean, just look at me. I’m irresistible.” He offered what he hoped was a charming grin. “And if we spot Gilbraith’s shadow, I’ll put his head on a pike, as you wanted.”
“Oh, I do like you. That pillow talk is remarkable.”
“This criticism, from a woman who thinks a story about wanking in the bath qualifies as foreplay.”
Thalia made a sound low in her throat and swatted at him, but it was a playful move, and she didn’t roll away from him.
It was a start.
13.
The next morning, Ferith called Thalia to alert her that she had guests in need of her attention, currently milling about her strategy room. She hurried through her morning routine and dressed like a commander, not a fairy queen. Which meant black trousers, heavy matching sweater, and her ass-kicking boots.
Four wolf guards were waiting for her, two sitting and two pacing. This was her favorite place in Daruvar, her books and maps, and all the things that represented her plans to lead their people to a better future. It also helped that the staff kept the fire burning in here, so the chamber was warmer than most.
She offered a polite smile. “Good morning. Has everyone eaten?”
“Sort of,” Skylett mumbled. “But we’re all bloody tired of fish.”
“Sky,” Janek cautioned.
“It’s true. When the hell are we hunting? Raff promised—”
The old wolf took the younger woman’s arm, a clearly cautioning gesture. “Let’s see to the niceties first, shall we?”
“Oh right, they’re going. Sorry, Your Highness.” Skylett didn’t look remorseful.
Nor did she seem to mind acting like she stood in her own living room. In fact, she radiated defiance, like she had something against Thalia personally. The Animari didn’t favor politesse or protocol; that was for sure. Thalia kept her social smile in place, though she’d like to lose her temper at this fractious little wolf.
She turned to Tavros and Bibi. “Are you departing, then?”
“I’m sorry that we’re leaving in the middle of…well, everything.” Tavros bowed deeply, and Thalia waved away his regret.
“It seems sudden.” Unless she’d misunderstood before, Raff had given them assignments at Daruvar, and those tasks remained incomplete. They had also been talking about laying in supplies, hinting at a longer stay.
“There are…issues at Pine Ridge. Korin can solve them with my help, but I can’t tarry here any longer, and I need Tavros to watch my back as I travel.” The wolf seer folded both arms, as if daring Thalia to poke into their business further.
Issues? Like a Golgoth attack? That would be worrying.
Nonetheless Thalia took the hint. “I understand. Please take care of the demesne while your packmaster is away.” She included both Tavros and Bibi in the request, but the seer scowled, her thick brows pulled together.
I have
