Kieran’s roar was loud as he spent himself into me, grunting as my inner walls trembled and convulsed around him. Ronan pulled out of my mouth and came on the bed, his harsh breathing the only sounds he made. When they were done, Benedict snatched me from the bed, and sniffed me deeply.
“Thought you...wouldn’t touch me.” I muttered sleepily. I felt the vibrations of his voice rumble against me, his body warm and strong as I nuzzled into him. What was wrong with me?
“I technically didn’t,” He muttered stubbornly.
Kieran and Ronan cleaned up the bed behind me with fast efficiency, all the while glaring at Benedict.
“Does this mean—"
Benedict silenced Kieran with a glare. Kieran’s ears flattened against his head and he went back to his task.
“I will take her to our chambers.”
Before the other two could get a word out we disappeared in a wisp of darkness. The dim lighting of my bathroom greeted me next, the heat of the room a soft caress against my skin. Benedict stalked to the side of the tub with me in his arms, and gently laid me into a steaming bath, filling it with several herbs and oils. I sighed happily.
“You can be nice to me.” I muttered vaguely, and he snorted.
I yawned widely; it was tempting to fall asleep as the fragrant aromas from the bath wafted in the air. Benedict scoffed.
“Just remember, we don’t mate with humans.”
His harsh words cut through my drowsiness more effectively than a knife would. I twitched, then shifted so my back was to him.
“No, humans are just bought and sold. You’ve made that quite clear, though clearly I’m a pretty cow indeed to attract your attention.”
“You are not.” He hissed.
“Pretty, or a cow?” I shot back, then pushed forward.
“Do you know what they call a human woman who entertains three men Benedict?” My voice turned bitter, even though I knew deep down I didn’t regret any of it. I cared for at least two out of the three, which was better odds than the women at the breeding house.
“A brave woman who is making the best of her situation.”
Brave. Brave? My lower lip trembled, and I blinked back tears.
“You’re all hiding something from me.” I said instead, dunking my head under the water. When I came up, Benedict was gone. After some time, Kieran and Ronan appeared, and assisted me into bed. I laid there for a long time with one on either side of me, snuggled between their warmth. It was nice and comforting, but sleep eluded me. Something was missing. Or rather, someone. That was ridiculous, I told myself.
I tossed and turned all night.
ELEVEN
I snuck out of bed early the next morning, leaving Kieran and Ronan snoring gently underneath the silk covers. I quickly donned a pair of the breeches Georg got me, and a red dress that would be more fairly described as a shirt, for how short it was. The sheaths went on one thigh and my upper arm, and then I slid on my boots. After a moment’s thought I attached a small sword to my waist as well, a gift from Ronan after the debacle in the training room. Today I had one goal: I was going to talk to Bair.
My nerves were frayed as I slipped out of my chambers, knowing it was early since breakfast had yet to be served. If Benedict found me sneaking around, it was unlikely he’d be pleased. Where was Georg when I needed him? He could probably navigate these halls with his eyes closed. The halls went on for long stretches before converging at crossroads, where more passages stretched on into the darkness. It was impossible to know where to go, and I feared getting lost.
“Wandering dark halls alone?”
I jerked, and D’Arcy melted from the shadows, blocking the path ahead of me. I would not show him fear.
“I can tell you’re related to Benedict, since you both prefer to skulk around in the dark.”
He barked out a short laugh, his black tunic effective camouflage in the dim lighting. I wondered again what the full story was behind his deadly brush with white magic. I straightened, refusing to be the same scared girl he met my first night here.
“I’m looking for Bair, actually. Can you assist me?”
D’Arcy’s head tilted to the side; his lips parted in surprise. “Taken to him, have you?”
I shrugged my shoulders, noncommittal.
“He intrigues me. He has many...ideas.”
D’Arcy’s eyes sparked in interest, and he held out his arm to me. I didn’t really want to take it but decided to play nice.
“Bair has always been more level-headed than Benedict; everyone knows that. What were some of these...ideas he had?”
His sudden interest and polite demeanor had me on guard.
“Sabien should be able to tell you; they’re friends, aren’t they?”
D’Arcy walked at a brisk pace, unconcerned with whether I could keep up or not. Just another small thing that made him different from my men. Benedict could be an ass but was at least a polite ass. Usually. Sometimes.
“Sabien is not nearly as pragmatic as Bair. That boy gets the wrong ideas. I am surprised Bair puts up with him.”
D’Arcy didn’t seem on good terms with his own son; I made a mental note of that.
“He performed admirably at the last trial. I enjoyed meeting him very much.”
Flattery never
