He nuzzles my ear, and I moan as his new position ensures his pubic bone is hitting my clit with each thrust.
“Open your eyes,” he murmurs, and I do, finding his blazing with male challenge. I lift my hips, wrapping my legs around his waist, and his jaw tightens.
He strums his fingers over my clit, and I cry out as I’m suddenly engulfed in overwhelming pleasure.
He murmurs something I can’t hear, burying his face against my neck as he shudders against me.
I raise my hands to his head, clutching tight. Since his uncle’s death, Arix has left immediately each time we slept together, and I half expect him to get up and find his pants. But instead, he rolls onto his back, dragging me with him.
“Alexis managed to connect the fixed part of the thruster to the thruster itself, and it’s now in working order,” I murmur. “I know I’ve said it before, but thank you.”
He shrugs, but I mentally curse myself for bringing up the subject as his body tenses against mine, his brow lowering. I slide one hand along his chest, scratching my fingernails across his nipple.
“Wicked female.”
I laugh at that, and some of the strain leaves his face.
“So what do you think of Rakiz’s tribe?” I ask lightly.
He’s quiet for a long moment, his hand stroking my hair. “I’ve…enjoyed my time here. The relationship he has with his warriors reminds me of the way my father interacted with his guards and advisers when he was still alive.” His voice doesn’t change, but his eyes are dark when he speaks of his dad.
“You seem to be close to your warriors.”
He shakes his head. “There can be no true relationship without trust,” he murmurs. “My parents’ murders taught me that. They were kind, fair rulers who trusted those around them. And that trust killed them. Rakiz should be careful that the same doesn’t happen to him.”
I can’t imagine anyone betraying Rakiz. But as Alexis found out when one of Dexar’s guards handed her over to his enemy, no king is exempt from betrayal.
“You said your mom loved her gardens. What did your father love?”
He smiles. “My mother. He doted on her every whim. Rumors were constantly flying about how he would do anything for his queen. It was seen as a weakness, but he didn’t care.” His smile disappears. “He should have.”
“It sounds like they were happy.”
He nods. “Watching my father love my mother was illuminating. He was devoted to her. Some say that devotion made him shortsighted. He wasn’t as careful as he should’ve been when it came to his guards.”
My mouth goes dry. “You were supposed to be there that night.”
“Yes. It was my inability to stay where I was told that saved my life. And cost my parents theirs.”
I frown. “You were just a kid. You couldn’t have saved them.”
“There are secret passages throughout my castle. Most of them had been forgotten, many of them blocked off, as they were too dangerous. But I loved to explore in my free time. If I’d been in the royal quarters, I could have saved my parents.”
My heart aches for the little boy who was supposed to be murdered with his parents that night. “You might have died with them.”
“Or they might have lived.” He shrugs. “There’s no way to know now.”
I open my mouth, frowning as Arix shrugs again, the picture of indifference.
But I see beyond that indifference now. And he’s a man who’s swamped in pain.
I lift myself onto one elbow and stare at him.
I can’t believe I thought Arix had no feelings. He’s bursting with feelings. Just because he hides them behind a charming grin and a lewd mouth doesn’t mean they don’t exist. And he’s been missing his parents every day since they were taken from him.
“What is it?” he asks, running his hand over my back.
“Nothing.” I lower my lips to his, hoping his taste will replace the ashy taste of betrayal that has filled my mouth. “Nothing at all.”
Chapter Twelve
Vivian
I study the vendors disinterestedly, ignoring the way my stomach rumbles at the smell of the roasted nuts I love.
We’re back at the marketplace after traveling from Rakiz’s camp yesterday. Truthfully, between the happiness radiating from all my friends and the weight of the hope in the other women’s eyes, it was almost a relief to leave.
Now, though, the castle is full of Braxians from a tribe bordering Arix’s territory. He obviously needs to keep them on his side, because he’s been spending hours negotiating with them.
“What exactly are we looking for?” Sarissa asks.
“I’ll know it when I see it.”
I don’t want to admit to Sarissa exactly what I’m doing. Because it’ll be an admission that I care more for Arix than I should.
She shrugs. “Varge said he’ll meet us in the same place he spoke to you last time.”
I grind my teeth but nod. That’s the reason we’re truly here. To collaborate against the man who shares my bed each night.
For whatever reason, our guards are no longer sticking as close as they used to, giving us more freedom. Freedom that Sarissa is taking full advantage of. In fact, we have our own little side project that may help lessen the sting when Arix is ousted from his throne.
A project that may help him get that throne back.
Yeah, because he’s really going to forgive you and listen to what you have to say. And he’s definitely going to trust any other information you give him after you’ve stabbed him in the back.
“Are you okay?” Sarissa asks, and I shrug.
“Fine.”
She raises her eyebrow but chooses not to say anything, and we walk through the marketplace in silence. It’s no longer an interesting, almost magical place for me. Instead, it represents betrayal.
Bright colors catch my eye, and I can’t help but stop in my tracks. A woman with green skin slams into me and hisses something my translator doesn’t catch, her elbow
