Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Talon grunted through his teeth and started savagely jackhammering into me. A long groan sounded in the back of his throat as he shoved his dick painfully deep one last time. He held himself still as warm ropes of his come splashed my spasming inner walls.
I pretty much sank into the mattress as my orgasm subsided. He lowered my leg and then collapsed onto his lower arms, burying his face in the crook of my neck.
“I would hug you all sweet to freak you out, but I don’t have the energy,” I slurred.
His lips twitched against my neck.
“Shit, you’re smiling and I’m missing it.”
He responded with a grumpy grunt that insisted he wasn’t smiling.
“Liar.”
He bit my throat.
I yelped. “Fine. You’re not smiling. Whatever.”
He licked over the bite to soothe the sting.
A long, satiated sigh slipped out of me. Only one thing stopped me from totally relaxing: there was somewhere I needed to be.
“Much as I’d like to stay here a little longer, especially since I can’t feel my legs yet, I suppose we’d better get dressed and go see what the Sovereigns want.”
Talon lifted his head to meet my gaze, his own clouded with the aftermath of his release.
I swallowed. “Do you think they’ll execute me?”
He slowly shook his head.
“Why?”
He pointed at the eyes marking me as a Sayer.
“You don’t believe they’d risk angering the gods, no matter what?”
Another shake of his head. He stretched out one of my curls and then released it, letting it spring back into place.
“I hope you’re right. If not, if they execute me, I will haunt you for fun. Seriously. Every time you try to have sex, there my ghost will be—smiling at you all creepy.”
Mirth momentarily flashed in his eyes. Shaking his head, he withdrew his softening cock.
“I don’t know why you think I’m joking, but all right.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Walking into the audience chamber a short while later, I kept my expression neutral. As usual, I was a little edgy. But, having recently had plenty of practice at hiding feelings of such restlessness, I did an exceptionally good job of appearing relaxed.
The only people there were the Sovereigns and Ariadne. Generally, she never paid me much attention. Today, though, she eyed me strangely.
Most people did these days.
Here and now, Eacus’ expression gave nothing away. Rhad, however, made no attempt to hide his feelings—his suspicion came across in his steady narrow-eyed gaze. Minos also didn’t bother concealing what he felt; there was no jovial smile this time. Pure displeasure was etched into the lines of his face.
I was not in the least bit surprised by their reception.
My power was no longer a buzz under my skin. It filled my entire being, warm and thick. But as I advanced toward the Sovereigns, the force inside me slinked backwards. Retreated. Like a predator intending to remain unseen by fellow predators for now. It still made no sense to me.
I didn’t dare ask if it was a universal reaction, because it would be to reveal something that might be better kept quiet.
From the platform of thrones, Minos gave Talon a respectful nod before switching his attention to me. “Anara,” he drawled in a greeting that wasn’t necessarily welcoming. “I had hoped that you would be here sooner.” It was a reprimand, plain and simple.
“As did I,” I told him as Talon and I halted several feet away. “Unfortunately, the lines for the bathhouses were rather long.” I had the feeling that the Sovereigns forgot that not everyone had the luxury of a private bathing area. “I apologize for the delay.”
Minos’ gaze dropped to the healing wound on my cheek. I hadn’t applied salve to it, or to my other injuries.
Talon had done it.
Something he’d silently insisted on, glaring at me when I tried protesting. He had applied it quickly and efficiently, all business. Then he had watched, arms folded, while I dressed … all the while frowning. He could be seriously weird sometimes.
“So,” began Minos, idly tapping his fingers on the armrest of his throne, “your power surfaced.”
“Yes,” I confirmed.
“And you survived it,” Rhad added.
I nodded.
“I must say, it came as a surprise.” Eacus slid his gaze to the raven-haired female. “Ariadne, leave us.”
She gave a graceful nod and elegantly padded out of the chamber.
I switched my attention back to the Sovereigns … and something caught my eye. There was a crack in the platform on which the three thrones were placed. I searched my memories, almost sure that it hadn’t been there on any of the last occasions I’d come here.
Minos left his throne, pulling me out of my contemplations; my pulse hiccupped when he came too close for comfort. “Your power isn’t very intense,” he commented, somewhat haughty. “Quite weak, in fact.”
I wasn’t so sure it was weak at all, but I had no intention of letting him know that. Instead, I let out a sad sigh of agreement. “I think that’s why it didn’t kill me when it surfaced.”