Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 117336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
She looks a little surprised at my response.
We are making good headway with our conversation, I think. I take a bite of food and watch her as she eats, then say, "Tell me about the male you killed."
Melina freezes just before the coffee cup hits her lips. There's a hunted look in her gaze for a moment, quickly replaced by a more placid, remote expression. "What male?"
"Last night, you told me that the male in question, the one that you said touched you, was no longer living. Is that not true?"
She takes another sip of her drink and then picks up her fork, picking at some of the fruit on her plate. "That's not something I'd like to talk about over breakfast."
"Is it more of a dinner topic, then?" I arch a brow at her, mimicking her expression. Melina is quiet for so long that I pause, waiting for her to answer me.
She continues to pick at her food, her expression vague. "It's an, 'I don't trust you enough to speak of it with you' sort of topic, if we're being honest. That wasn't a fun time in my life and I really don't want to recount it right now."
I frown. "But we are having good conversation. We are learning about each other. Is this not what a man does with his consort?"
Melina toys with her food and says nothing.
Does she think that I consider her one of the staff? Is that why she is so hesitant? "I respect you," I say, because I want to see her eyes gleam again. I want to have her speak to me with enthusiasm instead of that reluctance on her face. "You are not just a thing to me, Melina."
"You might respect me, but you're still forcing me into your bed," she says.
Forcing. Again with the forcing. As if I have her by the arm, shoving her toward my cock. "You agreed to come to me willingly. Remember?"
"Yes." Her smile is tight and insincere. "I remember. And I'm willing, don't worry. I said I'd be yours in all ways, and I meant it. I'll keep my end of the bargain."
"But you will not be eager."
"You can force obedience, but not eagerness," she retorts, tossing down the remnants of her pancake. She picks up the coffee cup again and chugs the contents, her throat working.
I can tell that she's trying to finish quickly so she can be done with me. I scowl. "I will force nothing. I will make you want to be there, mark my words."
Melina gets to her feet. "Good luck with that." She moves away from the table in a swirl of skirts, leaving me behind.
Chapter
Seven
AZAR
I must find a way to entice Melina into my bed.
The thought drums in my head over and over again as I go about my day. Now that I am in charge of the fort, there is an endless series of tasks that must be completed, questions that must be answered, decisions that must be made. Where would I like the militia to hunt today? What should they look for? The kitchens are low on supplies, how will we restock? The gardeners need extra assistance. The pipes that bring water to the barracks are clogged. There are rumors of nomads to the north, heading in this direction.
I answer them all. I make decisions, because that is what a good leader does. It is obvious to me that these people do not wish to be in charge of themselves. They want someone else to make the calls. Someone else that will tell them what to do, how to survive. Someone else that will help them thrive, because they cannot do it on their own.
A drakoni mind nudges at my own—a female heading into this territory. Her thoughts are inflamed, and if she comes near the fort, she will ruin my promises of safety. I am not delicate with her—I blast her senses with who and what I am. A Salorian. Danger. I can feel her mental shriek and she immediately changes course, her mind drifting away from mine. Good.
If nothing else, I have that under control.
The situation with Melina, however, I do not. I ponder this as I move through my day. After dinner, I will have to consult my books and magazines again, but I don't know if they will have the answers I seek. I'm out of my depth when it comes to physical desires. They are things forbidden to most Salorians, lest we corrupt ourselves and become like the drakoni, all raging passion and anger. Control is everything, but when I'm near Melina, my control seems fragile at best.
To make matters worse, I can't stop thinking about how it felt to have her hand on me. The memory is both enticing and revolting. The pleasure of her touch and her tight fist…combined with the disdain and loathing on her face. I want more of the pleasure and none of the loathing. But how? Who do I ask?