“I am just impressed that you were able to do what you have, Apex.” Lieja’s expression softened as one of her lovers—not Votan or Razael, thankfully—dabbed the wine away from her ample breasts. “Her mouth may not yet be tamed, but you have shown her how to kneel to her betters. I am satisfied enough with her progress—for now. Let us hope that Lady Idria feels the same.”
“We await my lady’s arrival with eagerness.” A lie. Lieja was a prisoner here, same as the rest of her court. Though she may have played queen here on Nightmoor, she would be forced to tolerate Atlanta’s more minor misbehaviors now that Atlanta was under my protection—and Lady Idria’s, as a result. Idria, herself, on the other hand, would have struck Atlanta down where she stood the second Atlanta had opened her mouth. If Atlanta was to survive all that was yet to come, she would have to drop her attitude—and quickly, at that. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did,” Lieja said curtly, “but unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all of my harem. It is the strangest thing, Apex. Two of my males were accosted last night. One is still in the infirmary being treated for his injuries. I do wonder whatever might have happened to them. It is the strangest thing; I am sure you will agree.”
I did not let her see me stiffen, though I could feel the tension ripple through my shoulders as soon as she made mention of the incident. Her eyes bored into mine, as though she thought she might see some truth in them that I was unwilling to admit.
She knew.
“Perhaps your harem members should be more careful about what they busy themselves with after hours,” I suggested, speaking with as much casualness as I could muster. “I hear that late at night, even the comfortable halls of Nightmoor Palace can be a dangerous place.”
“So true,” Lieja said after placing a spoonful of vibrant blue porridge in her mouth and patting her lips daintily. To my relief, she did not seem too angered by whatever it was that Votan and Razael had reported to her. Perhaps they were not so deeply in her favor as they had thought. “I will have to remind them of as much. It is a great misfortune, though. I fear that now there is an empty space in my bed—and it does grow so cold here at night.” Lieja forced a shiver. It seemed to be mostly just an excuse to jiggle her tits at me. “Perhaps you might be so kind as to take his place? I am sure you would find it most pleasurable, and of course, I would be deeply in your debt.”
Atlanta looked up at me, suddenly horrified. It was difficult not to laugh at her expression. Her green eyes were almost like a Lunarian’s in that moment—emerald with jealousy.
At least she would not have to be jealous for long.
“I thank you for your offer, but unfortunately, Atlanta’s training takes precedence for the moment.” It was a small blessing in more ways than one. Sharing Lieja’s bed interested me about as much as the idea of sharing a mate.
And at the sound of my words, the violent green in Atlanta’s eyes softened. If only by a little.
“A shame.” Lieja pouted. “Perhaps one of your warriors, then? Or both. I have never had a Lunarian before. I am sure my lovers and I would find it most invigorating.”
I looked to Ronan, who had gone pale at the very possibility. Gallix looked equally disgusted. I held up my hand as he opened his mouth, likely to tell Idria that he would rather stick his cock in her porridge or something of the sort. Whatever Gallix had to say in this moment, it was almost certainly the worst thing that could possibly be said.
“If I could spare them presently, I would, Your Highness,” I said simply. I knew enough of Lieja to know that any explanation would be lost as she pouted. She didn’t care about the whys of anything. All she heard was no.
“Fine.” Lieja waved us away with several flaps of her fingers. “If you are so busy, then I will not be the awful one keeping you here in my presence any longer than I already have. But, Apex…”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“You can evade me all you want, you handsome creature.” Lieja batted her lashes at me and leaned over the table, looking positively ravenous. “But let me make this clear: in the end, I always get what I want.”
We ate breakfast quickly. I seemed to have lost my appetite, and Atlanta’s did not appear to be faring any better. It was a blessing that we had been spared an invitation to dine at the high table with Lieja. Gallix was a sloppy eater, and Ronan thanked the servants profusely for every refill of gilly juice they poured into his cup. Neither of which would have pleased Lieja—and that wasn’t even mentioning the way that the whole time we sat in the great hall, Atlanta wore a glare that could have caught a tapestry on fire. More often than not, it was Lieja herself who was in the crossfires of Atlanta’s gaze.
“Come.” I rose from my chair and offered her my hand. “If you keep staring at her like that, she will soon notice. Catching her ire this early will do neither of us any favors.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be able to smooth it over later.” Atlanta leveled her glare at me instead. “All it’ll take is one trip to Lieja’s bed and she’ll be eating out of your hand again in no time.”
“I did not take you for the jealous type,” I said with a smirk.
Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again as her glare deepened. “I’m not jealous.
