Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
And Drey’s stomach loosened more.
Even his lover had not spoken to him such admiring, affectionate words.
“I’ll be glad to give you that,” he murmured hazily as the draught continued to work its magic.
“I will be glad to take it,” Faunus murmured in return. “Until then,” he said before he touched his mouth to Drey’s (touched his mouth). The playful had returned when he pulled back and finished, “Or until we feel the need to use Saturn again. I’ll give that, perhaps, a day,” and with that and a cheerful wink, he moved away.
Only for Nyx to be there.
“Roll, mio buco,” she ordered quietly. “It is time for you to rest.”
As bid, beyond replete, Drey rolled to his front.
She carefully pulled the silks of the bed to his shoulders (a bed in another bedchamber which was quite lovely where she’d led him earlier before seeing to his backside with tender hands).
She then sat next to him and stroked his hair.
“Sleep, Tedrey,” she cooed.
“Yes,” he mumbled.
“You are safe,” she said, still stroking his hair.
“Yes,” he repeated.
“You are home, caro,” she whispered.
Drey closed his eyes and fell asleep.
But as he did, another tear swept over the bridge of his nose.
For he felt just that.
For the first time in his life.
Tedrey was home.
Nyx Chronis
Guest Bedchamber, Manor of Lorenz, Captain of the Trusted, Fire City
FIRENZE
Nyx watched the tear fall.
And she remembered his reddened eyes when she’d returned to him earlier after sending a servant for Saturn and Faunus.
She also remembered the way he’d averted his face so she would not see his wet cheeks.
She had been told of this priest, his use to her, and his different use for her husband.
She had not cared much for entering in such deception, but she would do anything for her Lorenz and for her realm.
Further, he was most enjoyable.
But now, her chest burned.
Her head felt too full.
And she knew her husband’s did the same.
Even feeling thus, she stroked her plaything’s silky, golden hair, beheld his face, soft and handsome in sleep, and only when she knew his sleep was deep, did she get off the bed and move from the room.
Her husband was busy at the palace.
But he would come at her call.
Then he would take her violently so she could expend some of her wrath (and titillation at what she’d just witnessed).
After that, he would listen to her words.
And she felt certain he would agree.
Persephone had her own pursuits.
As did Saturn and Faunus.
But this one would give up his white robes.
Because this one, they’d be keeping.
30
The Snoop
Lady Silence Mattson
Second Floor, East Corridor, Catrame Palace, Fire City
FIRENZE
I rushed down the corridor, clutching my dressing gown around me over Jasmine’s body stocking.
The fitting was complete for my wedding gown and I was delighted with the results. There were some last touches, but Mars’s servants were clearly honored to help Tril with such an important project for their beloved king and future queen. They had the rest of the day and most of the morrow, and there were many of them, thus I knew it would be completed in time.
And it would be perfect.
I could not wait to see its final incarnation.
More, considering his reaction to my red dress, I could not wait to be wearing it when Mars saw it.
For now, I could not wait for something else.
This being bathing in the pool in the garden with Farah and Ha-Lah.
Elena, Hera and Jasmine said they’d meet us there later. And my future mother-in-law said she would try to join us, but with the wedding preparations and all the guests that were arriving, she was quite busy, so this might be unlikely.
Sofia had begged off, saying that she wished to give us younger girls time together without an old fuddy-duddy around (though she didn’t use the word “fuddy-duddy”).
I didn’t agree with this. She was welcome with us anytime. But with her manner, which was growing more morose as time went by and Elpis remained remote, I did not say anything.
I could do naught about that.
But it made me sad.
I had my wedding gown on my mind, Mars’s reaction to it, my impending nuptials on the whole and a lovely afternoon in the pool under the sun with my new friends as I dashed down the corridor, so I was not thinking of aught else when, outside my king and queen’s bedchamber, I heard:
“It cannot be countenanced. Your son commits treason.”
And this was said by Carrington, my uncle’s counsellor.
Hearing these words, words I assumed were said about True, words that could in no way be correct, in extreme shock and complete dismay, I instantly drew my shadow over me and moved to the wall so no one who might be coming or going would run into me.
It was then I realized what I’d done, right in the middle of the corridor, and my gaze darted to the end, where there was often a servant boy (or two) to attend to the guests of the palace.