The Queen's Consorts (9 page)

“She is obviously a true of heart like me. She’s one of the Rayians who run the mission taking care of the Aurorians fate has been unkind to.”

Sari nodded. “Noble. Fate is unkind to many who live there. I don’t envy your mother.”

“I’d like to meet her. I would like to meet Calder’s mother too. She brought my most cherished brother, my lifemate, into this world. She is probably very kind and beautiful like her son.”

“Do not count on that,” Calder said with a bitter laugh. “My mother was on no mission near the Cavaden Sea. She was simply doing what Rayian females do, enjoying the gifts of her heritage and living in luxury in a palace by the sea. I am certain she was thrilled I was born when I was. All Rayian females with newborn males were probably waiting for the reports of the exact time of the queen’s birth with bated breath. What luck our mothers had not to have to raise us.”

Sari caressed Calder’s strong, powerful jaw once more. “You’re bitter.”

“Yes, well, my mother does not dedicate her life to helping Aurorians in need. I am just an ordinary Rayian, spoiled and selfish to the core. The gods did not gift me with the kind heart they gave Taryen.”

“Your heart is kind,” Taryen said softly as he reached around Sari and caressed Calder’s wet hair, his fingers running over the streaks of black at his temple. “Your face shines with kindness.”

“You’re blinded by love. You’re kind, Tary, not I.”

“It’s quite a strange phenomenon,” Sari mused, “that one could actually be born obedient.”

“We weren’t born obedient,” Taryen corrected her. “Our free will was taken when we were bound as servants to the queen. All three of our life forces were combined as infants. Our will was given to her as a gift for protecting her people. It is just a side effect that her sisters harness enough of the queen’s magic to force obedience on us.”

“If she were here, she would never allow them to abuse you.” Sari couldn’t hide the bitterness. “She would protect you from them. None would dare hurt you or even look at you with anything other than admiration if your queen was not stolen.”

“Likely true,” Calder agreed. “Like all Rayians, she is probably selfish and unwilling to share her toys. Being the most powerful would only exacerbate that problem, among others.”

“Blasphemy,” Taryen warned.

“Sari will not tell on me.” Calder eyes drifted closed lazily. “My heart tells me our secrets are safe in her hands. I trust her.”

Sari felt her heart swell painfully as she looked at Calder lying out in front of her. For a man as bitter as Calder to put as much trust in her as he did in his lifemate was enormous, and she would never betray him for it.

“Your heart doesn’t lie to you.” She reached out to stroke his hair softly. “I would die an excruciating death before I betrayed you, Cal.”

“That’s a terrible image.” Calder winced. “Let’s talk about pleasure instead of pain and death. I’m feeling lazy and indulgent. I’d love to know what you taste like.”

“Why is it always about me?” Sari countered as she reached out and touched Calder’s cock, which was still hard from earlier. She stroked him, savoring his low moan as her fingers ran down the long, thick length of him. She felt the ring at the base, which was still vibrating strongly. “Would you like me to return the favor?”

“No. Not unless touching me is something that pleases you.”

“It is, actually.” Sari stroked him once more, enjoying a cock in her hand for the first time in her memory. “You two are the first males I’ve ever felt comfortable around. It’s so bizarre and makes absolutely no sense, but I’m enjoying the novelty even if I shouldn’t.”

“If it pleases you, it pleases me.” Calder held his hand up to Taryen. “Please, Tary.”

“Gladly,” Taryen said, and Sari tilted her head back to watch him reach out for Calder’s hand.

He grabbed Calder’s index finger and brought it to his lips, sucking it into his mouth and running his tongue along the gold ring at the base. Calder moaned, his back arching with a splash of water as Sari felt the vibration of the ring around his cock intensify.

“I need some of those rings,” she said as she continued to watch Taryen suck his lifemate’s finger, doing it in a way that caused bliss to glow on Taryen’s darkly beautiful face.

She stroked Calder, allowing him to enjoy the dual stimulation. It wasn’t long before Calder let out a hoarse cry of release as he held Sari, his arm around her back tightening and his fingers digging into the curve of her hip.

Sari just watched, savoring the look of absolute pleasure on Calder’s handsome features. It wasn’t until that moment that she saw how truly beautiful he was. His life left him edgy and guarded, and it showed in everything about him. His tense shoulders, his drawn features, but when he let go and just enjoyed a moment of pleasure, he was radiant.

When it was over, he didn’t apologize for reaching the end too quickly, which told Sari he was an extremely confident lover. As he’d said last night, every ending he provided was of the highest quality. The indulgence in his own pleasure wasn’t something he was ashamed of.

“You could be very addictive, Lady Sari.” Calder turned and pressed his lips against the line of her rib cage. “We’ve only just met, but for some reason you make me wish for another life.”

“You should do that anyway.” She stroked his hair softly. “Hope gives strength and makes it easier to survive.”

Calder sighed. “So does surrender.”

“Have you surrendered?”

“No, but it would be in my best interest.” Calder sat up, and then he turned back and let his gaze run over Sari, still resting in Taryen’s powerful arms. He closed his eyes as if the image affected him. “We should discuss some of the rules of our society, which apparently is very different than the rest of Auroria. For one thing, females do not go around in male robes.”

“They don’t do that outside the gates either. It was just a way I discovered to avoid attention.”

“Your body is sacred. Covering it like that is an insult to the gods.” Taryen seemed concerned by her natural inclination to rebel against society. “Following the rules and adapting will help you gain influence.”

“You’ll have to find a way to make alliances,” Calder went on as he ran both hands through his wet hair, pushing the light strands away from his face. “If you make the proper friends, even the lack of family power won’t stop you from having a voice. You’re strong-minded. If you played the correct political cards, you could end up on the council.”

“Council?”
Sari asked distractedly, forcing herself to look away from Calder’s broad, muscular chest. “What is it, exactly?”

“It’s the leadership council that was set in place to make up for the queen’s disappearance,” Taryen explained. “They make the decisions usually reserved for her. Thirty of our strongest females vote on all the issues that affect the people we serve.”

Sari huffed.
“Not very effectively.
How many of them use your talents as consorts for their amusement?”

“All of them.” Taryen ignored the way Calder punched his thigh, causing water to splash up around Sari. “Being on the council earns them priority in our training.”

Sari gave Calder a dark glare. “So you think I have the potential to be corrupt enough to serve on this council?”

“I think you have the potential to change things on the council,” Calder countered, giving her an appraising look. “You have an outsider’s opinion. It could be compelling to them if presented correctly.”

“I see.” Sari considered the suggestion. She could run away as she always did when things got difficult, or she could somehow find a way to blend with these people she disliked and try to make a difference for all of Auroria. “That’s an interesting idea, Calder.”

“I have a few of those on occasion.” Calder smiled before his tone grew serious once more. “Every night, our sisters and brothers gather for dinner in the grand banquet hall. You should consider attending. Not tonight, of course. You won’t have enough time to get ready, but perhaps tomorrow once you’re settled in your new apartments. Whispers of you are flying all over the Sacred City. Trust me; they’ll be curious to meet you. Attending the assembly is a good place to start making alliances.”

“Perhaps I will.” Sari remembered the clothes Calder had brought into the baths so she could change once she was healed and clean. She looked to where they rested on top of the dressing table in the corner. She spied the golden threads laced through the rich green gown, although there wasn’t much material to call it a real gown. It reminded her of the clothing she wore when serving the Order. “Is that what they wear to the assembly?”

Calder followed her gaze to the clothes he’d brought her. “No. That’s just afternoon wear. You’ll have to dress more extravagantly for the assembly.”

Sari knew she’d have to tap into a person she was long ago, one who was bold and immune to showing her body because survival demanded it. “How do I prepare for an assembly?”

“Calder has taken my appointment. Which he’s due for shortly, I might add,” Taryen reminded his lifemate with a warning glare before he squeezed Sari’s arm lightly. “We’ll dress, and then I’ll arrange to have apartments prepared for you. They’ll be able to find you more appropriate clothing. They’ll also assign you a set of attendants who’ll be your full-time servants.”

Sari took a deep breath against her revulsion at having people serve her. If they must serve a Rayian, it was better to be her than someone cruel. “Can we arrange for little Aria to be one of the attendants?”

“She can be an aid to them,” Calder went on. “We don’t personally have young attendants because of the nature of our duties, but many sisters like to train their servants from a young age. They have younger ones who aid in some duties, but you’ll need fully grown attendants. You don’t want to bring your little friend to the assembly tomorrow.”

“Why not?”
Sari asked in trepidation. “What happens at the assembly?”

Calder stared at her, his gaze haunted. “It’s not for young ones.”

“Do they hurt you publicly at these assemblies?” Sari asked, knowing she needed to be prepared. She felt extremely connected and attached to these two beautiful males. “Am I going to have to witness your pain?”

“Not this week.” Calder gave her a forced smile. “I’ve been on good behavior. We’re simply performers for your after-dinner entertainment.”

“Performers,” Sari whispered, hating that word and the wealth of bitter memories it brought up as she turned to look at Taryen, finding comfort in reaching out to him. She smiled in spite of everything. “Now I’ll get to see if you’re really as good as you say you are.”

“Oh, I am,” Taryen promised, his voice teasing as he grinned. “I look forward to performing for you, Lady Sari.”

“Cocky.” Calder poked Taryen in the ribs. He gave his lifemate a bright smile, studying him with eyes that glowed with adoration. “Why am I always the one being punished for lack of humility?”

“Calder’s good as well,” Taryen offered, laughing at him. “And though he won’t admit it, he’s looking forward to performing for you too.”

“Oh, I’ll admit it.” Calder’s voice was suddenly heavy with longing as he turned back to Sari. He let his gaze run over her while she sat naked in front of him. “Touching you may be dangerous, but there’s nothing to stop me from enjoying your arousal. I’ll be looking for it.”

“I’m more than a little immune to those sorts of performances,” Sari warned him. “You could be disappointed.”

“I don’t think so.” Calder smirked, meeting Taryen’s eyes as if they shared a private joke. He turned back to her, looking as cocky as his lifemate. “We’re meant for a queen, remember? We’re
amazing
performers.”

“You look beautiful, Lady Sari.”

Sari turned away from the mirror to give Aria a dubious look. “Not too much?”

“Oh no.”
Aria shook her head, blonde pigtails flying as she looked up at Sari with wide blue eyes. Very different from the dirty street urchin she had met in the market. This little girl was radiant and happy sitting on the floor, watching two attendants braid flowers in a variety of vibrant colors into Sari’s long hair. “You look like a queen.”

“Blasphemy, young one,” an attendant name Madrid scolded gently. “Find another means of beauty measurement. Lady Sari, your beauty is like that of an exotic flower; you glow with the radiance of the youth.”

“That’s really not necessary,” Sari said with a laugh. “But thank you.”

“The compliment was genuine,” Madrid offered, giving Sari a bright smile. “You truly are breathtaking.”

“You’ll be the talk of the assembly,” added Gefin, the other attendant working on Sari’s hair. “We’re blessed to have been assigned to you, my lady.”

Sari shifted uncomfortably in the chair. “I feel bad you had to leave your old apartments on such short notice. Did you find your accommodations pleasing?”

“Very much.”
Gefin seemed genuinely excited. “These are much richer accommodations than the general attendants receive. To be assigned a lady to serve is a great honor.”

“Then I’m happy you’re here.” Sari gave both young women a smile because she did like them very much. More so, she was pleased little Aria had been assigned as an attendant in training. “And little Aria has her own room now.”

“With a bed!”
Aria’s excitement was palpable. “I’ll learn to be the best attendant you could ever hope to have, Lady Sari.”

“Temperance, young one,” Madrid coached. “You must remain forever humble and docile.”

Sari grimaced at that advice but didn’t bother to correct Madrid. Instead she looked at herself in the mirror, hardly recognizing the woman reflected back at her. Even at the Order, when no great expense was spared to make their love slaves appealing, Sari had never seen herself so elaborately dressed. She ran a hand over her bare stomach, staring at the deep purple silk wrapped around her neck, crisscrossing her breasts and covering very little. The attendants knotted the material elaborately at her back, letting it billow behind her in a train that touched the floor. She wore a matching purple skirt that was intricately decorated with fine golden needlework. Sari stretched out a leg, eyeing her thigh, which was completely bared by the slit running up the side.