Forbidden Craving(52)

His first victory-the first of many.

Where was his victory now? He could defeat a horde of demons, but not one small wisp of a woman.

"Females," Shivawn groused.

"Females," Valerian agreed.

He plopped beside the warrior and confiscated one of the flasks. "As your king, I'm entitled to half of your belongs."

"Better than the alternative, I suppose, which is all my belongings." Shivawn gulped from the remaining flask.

Valerian drained the contents of his own in a single gulp, but found no comfort in the ensuing burn.

"My bedmate doesn't want me," his friend said, his tone bitter. "How is that possible? I'm a nymph." 

"As am I. I'm king. I rule this place. My word is law. Except with Shaye." She had a mind of her own. A trait he liked, admired...but currently despised.

He would like it again just as soon as she decided she trusted him.

"Maybe-maybe Brenna prefers other women?"

"Have you tried wooing her?"

"Woo? Who has time to woo?" Shivawn's shoulders slumped. "I don't understand her. She actually fears me. Fears me, as if I'm a monster out to hurt her. I've never hurt a woman, Valerian. Never. All women worship me. Desire me." He sighed heavily.

"Not all women. Clearly." Valerian appropriated the other flask and drained it. "Why are you complaining, anyway? Brenna isn't your mate. Why don't you focus on the woman who does want you? The one you slept with."

"I would, but she's currently in bed with someone else."

At least Shaye hadn't turned to another.

His grip tightened on the flask, cracking the center. He would die before he allowed another man to touch her.

Even if she wanted that other man?

He...didn't know.

Valerian gnashed his teeth. Her happiness mattered to him. If she couldn't be happy with him, he would have to give her up, wouldn't he?

The thought blackened his mood. He would just have to woo her harder.

"Why don't you focus on another woman?" Shivawn asked. "Just because you can't finish with someone else doesn't mean you won't enjoy someone else."

"I don't want another woman." He couldn't abide the thought of having anyone other than Shaye in his bed.

His arms craved Shaye, only Shaye. His legs craved her. The heart slamming against his ribs craved her. She exuded a special scent, and every part of him recognized every other woman as an imitation. An impostor.

Shaye had wrapped him in a terrible and wonderful and hated and loved cloud of lust. How could he win her?

He planned to buy her a stable of ponies. On his way to the dining hall, he'd sent a man into the Outer City to purchase the pink pony he'd seen. The first of many.

What else could he do? She missed her job. Those anti-cards. And she was toying with the idea of writing a book.

First thing in the morning, he would deliver paper and ink.

Would she react as she had when she'd spied the new decorations in their bedroom? A mix of shock, joy and delight had radiated from her.

He could only hope.

"...than they are worth," Shivawn said, cutting into his thoughts.

"I'm sorry. I was thinking about Shaye. You'll have to repeat your statement."

Frowning, Shivawn plucked a crumb from the table and tossed it aside. "I hate that we nymphs must rely on another being for our survival. Women are more trouble than they are worth."

Shaye would say men were more trouble than they were worth, he was sure. "One way or another, people rely on other people. That's a fact of life for everyone, Shivawn. We were never meant to exist in solitary confinement."

A moment passed in silence.

Finally Shivawn sighed. "Females," he repeated. He stood, stalked to the kitchens and returned with an armful of new flasks.




 

 

"Females," Valerian agreed. He claimed his 50 percent and quickly drained the contents, no longer experiencing any kind of burn.

"I explained to Brenna I can give her more pleasure than she's ever known. Did she care? Noooo."

Valerian frowned. His friend sounded so..cky.

His cheeks heated as he recalled the time he had said similar words to Shaye; he slouched in his seat. Perhaps I'm not so irresistible after all.

In his defense, he would have loved hearing about her ability to pleasure him.

"Perhaps Brenna needs to hear a few testimonials from my former lovers," Shivawn continued.

The alcohol hit Valerian like a boot to the face, and he swayed. And...suddenly the warrior's idea seemed wise. No testimonials-that's where Valerian had gone wrong. And he hadn't been cocky. No, no. He'd been proactive!

Shaye had probably assumed his profession of expertise had been nothing more than pride. But she would have to believe the women who'd actually experienced the bliss of his touch.