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“And I like you more with every taste,” he whispered, silencing me with his mouth as he pushed himself back inside of my aching body. I inhaled at the motion, basking in the power and masculinity of his body.
Chapter 11
The next few days I did nothing but roll around in the sheets with Gaelin. The laundry piled up, the room was a disaster, and none of my other chores were being done, but I didn’t care. I had found a small slice of heaven in this nightmare I had descended into, and I was going to hold onto that lifeline with every ounce of strength I had left.
At night when we had exhausted ourselves, I would drift into a relaxed state. Even though I lay next to the most perfect male I had ever seen, when I closed my eyes, I saw the images of the strange dark figure. His black marking along the side of his left shoulder and arm. The symbols I knew nothing about. His vibrant smile beneath his full lush lips. His strong jaw and shapely chin. I willed myself to stop seeing the stranger, but my brain never got the message.
After a week of being laid up in bed, we finally emerged from our sanctuary. I immediately tended the laundry since neither of us had much to wear that was clean. My body ached and throbbed from the extra activity of the past few days, but I smiled at each discomfort, knowing the reward was well worth the aftermath.
Levos eventually found me as he always did. He demanded details, but I kept the private parts to myself. It was expected of me to attend dinner each night during the weeks after, for whatever reason I still didn’t understand. I stood along the walls of the hall with the other humans, heads down and hands folded in front of us. I could feel Gaelin’s eyes on me along with that of his betrothed. I didn’t dare look up, remembering her threat.
The more time I spent getting to know Gaelin, I found myself growing jealous of his impending nuptials. He seemed to truly care for me, and against my own convictions I had fallen for him. I didn’t know how to approach the topic or what his reaction would be, but I had to know the answers to my questions, even if they would destroy my heart. Levos encouraged me to speak freely with him. He said that Gaelin had never given me any reason not to trust him and he was right.
We had been physically together for three weeks. My jealousy and uncertainties were eating away at me so I decided I would risk the answers and just ask. After dinner one evening, I got back to the room to find Gaelin already waiting for me, lounging lazily on the bed, half undressed. Gods was he a sight. I smiled, closing the door gently. He beamed up at me and slid a small box across the bed.
“For me?” I asked nervously.
“I remembered you saying something about liking presents.”
“This would be the second present I have ever received so the verdict is still out.” I walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, peering down at the small box. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Really.”
“I wanted to. I saw it and thought of you.”
I smiled widely, happy to know he thought of me when we were apart. I picked up the small box and took the top off. Inside was a beautiful silver necklace. The pendant was in the shape of a star and had nine points. Each point had a small diamond at the tip. In the center was a beautiful green gem. It was the most exquisite thing I had ever laid eyes on.
“Gaelin—”
“A star because you love watching them at night when you think I am asleep. The green gem is for your eyes. My favorite part of you.” He softly drew the back of his hand down my face.
“It is so beautiful; I don’t know what to say. Thank you isn’t enough.”
“It is, and you’re welcome.” He sat up, taking the necklace from the box. He gently moved my hair to the side and slid the cold pendant around my neck, latching it in the back. My heart swelled, but I pushed the feeling down, trying not to get ahead of myself.
“Why don’t you ever say anything when I am out on the balcony at night if you’re awake?” I asked.
“I like watching you. The way you move. The way you let your guard down and look up into the sky, knowing no one is watching. I wish you could be like that more often. Carefree and able to be who you truly are.”
I smiled at him, reaching for the necklace. My face fell at the thought of this not being real. He was keeping his mistress happy. That was all.
“Is something wrong?”
“Am—am I allowed to wear my gift outside of this room?” I asked, easing my way into the subject of our unconventional arrangement.
“Of course, you are. You can wear anything I give you,” he said, rubbing his fingers along my arm.
I took a deep breath in, preparing for the uncomfortable encounter. “Gaelin, I don’t mean to ruin this moment, but…what happens when you and Princess Daealla are officially married? What becomes of me?”
He pulled back, seeming taken off guard by the question. “Things remain the same as they are now. I will have to lay with her a few nights a month when she is fertile, but the other nights I will be here, with you.”
My heart cracked, imagining his body enjoying another female. “And…will you take others if you desire?”
His brow furrowed.
“Have you taken others since you’ve been with me?”
“Gen, where is this all coming from?”
“Please, just answer the questions. I don’t know how this all works. I’m just trying to understand my future here and what becomes of me after this.”