Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“And if I refuse?”
“I will be sad, and you will have to watch me pout all night.” Hands traveled down my thigh and ran over my leg to capture one foot. An unexpected moan left my lips when his thumbs dug into my arch. “But, it will be expected for you to be plugged, especially by a virile and eager new mate. Your shyness about showing the world how well I love you is unnecessary. Lead me around by the nose, but do it with a belly full of my sperm sloshing around every time you move.”
Eyebrow cocked, I asked, “You would still take me out if I said no to the plug?”
“I would still take you out.”
“How come I never saw female instructors at the academy”—I gestured at my belly—“like this?”
Cyderial had an easy response. “It is forbidden for female soldiers to be plugged while on duty. It disrupts your center of gravity and hinders fighting abilities.”
Yes, it would’ve. My alignment was off-center. If I swung a razor-sharp sword incorrectly, I could’ve seriously hurt myself. “Of course.”
Hands working magic on my foot, the general said, “I don’t want you to think you are unsafe. You are with your mate and will be surrounded by lethal hybrid males who would never allow one of our females to come to harm in their care. I agree it is inappropriate to be around humans this way; they will sexualize you and make comments that could drive me to violence. But hybrids do not covet another’s female. Unmated males only long for one woman’s song. They long for companionship. No male will think anything untoward about you. Only pride to see another well-cared-for female we can collectively adore and a healthy jealousy that they have not found their mate yet. As I have mentioned, you could use that jealousy to further your cause. Many will want to speak to you, simply because you look happy.”
Who said I was happy?
Digesting my expression, Cyderial said, “I know it hurt you a great deal our first time, but it would have hurt you a lot more if I had not diligently prepared myself to show restraint. Once your opening was complete, even when you were scared and fighting me, I didn’t cause you further pain. Some males shove in quickly and force a knot. Females heal at a rapid rate, but damage in that scenario is inevitable. Those mates do not come out of their nest for some months.”
Disgusted, I curled my toes against his grip. “That’s…. Why wouldn’t males want to prevent that?”
Ankle caught, he began to knead tender muscles, holding my eyes as he said, “Ask yourself this. Do you think Thayer will be cautious with Maeve? I recall what he said. He had zero restraint once he perceived her song. The man had his hand up her skirt in a public bar, trying to tease her open, where a roomful of excited men might watch. She would have been knotted while still suffering so he could stake his claim before another suitor might challenge him. But you could teach him to do better.”
My blood ran cold at the thought. “Why aren’t the males teaching this to one another? Why is this my job?”
“I will write my journal for the collective, but I cannot force anyone to seek it out.” More than happy to challenge me, he grew serious. “And before you suggest males receive sex education as well, that is a hard no. If we taught them how to seduce their prey, we would have greater problems on our hands at the academy. Boys need firm restraint, or the young, unmated girls will not be safe.”
“Is that what you will write your journal on? Ten years of restraint?” Considering how insane it had driven him, his depiction of that era might be something even I would want to read.
Nodding in agreement, he said, “I’m sure there will also be a chapter or two on how much you love it when I lick your cunt.”
Face flaming, I jerked my foot in an attempt to pull it from his grip. “Don’t you dare!”
Chuckling, he gave me an impudent grin. “I also must mention how sensitive you are in that sweet spot behind your ear. One kiss there and you spill slick.”
Flush and annoyingly aroused, I ground my teeth. “Please keep private things private.”
“If all the men kept what we learned private, I wouldn’t have known how to twist my tongue inside you while flicking your—”
“Enough!”
God, he was enjoying this too much! Laughing, really laughing, Cyderial was a different person completely. “You are so cute when you blush.”
Fine, I was extremely modest and always had been. That was not a bad thing. Clearing my throat, I smoothed my robe and said, “Can we get back to the topic at hand?”