Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
She raised her eyebrows.
"He intended them to eventually take my virginity," I continued, refusing to soften the truth. "That was their purpose in his eyes. They were chosen to serve me in every way."
Nyomi's jaw tightened, but she didn't look away.
"But my mother—" I paused, remembering her gentle hands brushing through my hair and her quiet wisdom. "My mother taught me something different. She told me that power means nothing if no one chooses to stay. That if I gave them freedom, they would serve me not because they were bound, but because they wanted to."
The helicopter's rotors had stopped now, but neither of us moved.
"So, at a young age. . .I gave them private quarters. Free time. Autonomy. Choices, not order." I brushed my thumb across Nyomi's cheekbone. "I made sure they had access to books, language tutors, music, and theater. Basically, anything my mother whispered in my ear to do for them, I did it."
"And you never. . .had sex with them?"
"I’ve never touched them and have no intention of it. If anything, I see them more as sisters."
Nyomi's shoulders relaxed, just slightly. “But. . .do they want you to touch them?”
"They belong to me in the way that everything in my world belongs to me.”
“Meaning?”
“They're protected. Treasured. If anyone dared harm a strand of their hair without my permission, I wouldn't just hunt that man, I would erase his bloodline."
Nyomi's eyes widened at the casual violence in my tone.
"But they're free to leave whenever they want," I added. "Free to choose lovers whenever they wish, with their consent and my approval, of course.”
“Why your approval?”
“They know too much about me to fall in love with one of my enemies.”
She put her gaze back on them. “They’re in love with you.”
"I don't think so."
"I do." Her voice was certain, no hesitation.
I followed her gaze back to the three figures below. Yuki's composed mask. Mami's nervous hands. Hina's devastating smile.
Had I been blind?
Or had I just chosen not to see?
"They grew up serving you," Nyomi continued softly. "You gave them education, freedom, kindness—probably more than anyone else in their lives ever did. You protected them from your father's intentions. Gave them purpose."
She turned to look at me. "How could they not love you?"
The space between us charged with electricity, and I wasn't sure if that was good or not. This moment was damn sure new to me.
"I can see it from here," she said. "In the way Yuki stands exactly where you can see her first. In the way Mami can't stop fidgeting because you're close. In the way Hina looks like Christmas morning just because you're here."
I blinked.
She’s already remembered their names and is clocking their movements.
I cleared my throat. "Perhaps, what you see is a heightened level of undying loyalty. They've stayed with me for years. They would die for me. And I would burn the world for them." I leaned closer until my forehead nearly touched hers. "But they're not you, Tora. They never could be."
She studied my face for a long moment, and I let her see everything—the truth, the possessiveness, the stark honesty that I'd never given any woman before her.
Her voice came out lower. “This may make me sound super insecure, but I’m okay with that. . .”
“Then, say it.”
“I know they’re your personal Scales, but I don’t want to share you with them or any other women.” Her words trembled slightly at the edges, and I realized what it had cost her to say that.
To draw that line.
Her eyes held mine, and in them I saw fear wrapped in steel.
Fear that she wasn't enough.
Fear that being with the Dragon meant accepting a hoard that included other women.
Fear that her love was too much, not enough, or the wrong kind entirely.
But she said it anyway.
My brave, beautiful Tiger.
The words had also hit me like a physical blow—not pain, but impact.
Pure, undiluted claim.
My Tiger was staking her territory.
And fuck if that didn't make every possessive instinct in me roar to life.
Mmmm.
She wasn't asking permission.
She was drawing boundaries.
Staking her territory on my heart, my body, my future.
And I wanted to let her.
Wanted to watch her sink her claws in deep and never let go.
Good.
Because I'd already decided she would have all of me. Not just my body, my power, my protection.
But my last name.
My ring.
My children growing inside her.
I just had to survive this fucking war long enough to give them to her.
Therefore, I didn't respond with words. Instead, I captured that sexy mouth and let my tongue tell her how much I agreed with her claim.
My hand fisted in her soft, damp braids, holding her exactly where I wanted her while I showed her with my lips, tongue, and teeth that she had nothing to fear from these three women in garnet uniforms.
When I finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.