Despite the amusing banter, Riley cast a sad smile at her friends, as she mulled over what they shared. Everything she overheard made sense. She now understood why Cyprian kept this information to himself and why he was so possessive at the same time. He was suffering from some biological response. This bit of knowledge didn’t change the devastation that gripped her. If anything, it made the situation worse.
“I’m sorry. We’re doing a shitty job of cheering you up,” June said. “I know this isn’t conventional, but if you like the general, he’s yours.”
“I don’t think our situations are the same at all.” Riley shook her head. “When the general bit me the first time, it wasn’t because I was the woman of his dreams, or he lost his head in the heat of the moment. It was calculated.” Riley’s eyes welled up as she spoke.
“What do you mean?” June pulled Riley to sit on the bed.
“Cyprian had to fuck me in those awful tunnels, to free me. I didn’t object, because when I saw him I recognized him, and hoped somehow I’d see you again.”
“Oh, Riley,” June cried in sympathy.
“I thought Cyprian was sexy, so being with him wasn’t a hardship.” Riley gave the girls a watery smile. “But I’d been through hell, and my body refused to respond. We didn’t have long before he was forced to fight off the next competitor, so, he bit me. He was just doing his duty, like he said. And now, because of some freakish hormonal thing, he’s stuck with a human he doesn’t even like.”
Just as she thought things couldn’t get worse, life proved her wrong. Riley looked up at the ceiling as she attempted to scrub away her tears. The girls were uncomfortably silent. There was nothing they could say to make this better.
Chapter 16. An Enemy at Your Table.
Cyprian de Praefectus
“The courtyard looks great, Metcor,” Tytus said to the giant gray Toufik.
“Thank you. Everyone is excited,” Metcor gestured. “This wasn’t the hard part. Wait till you see the food. That’s the true miracle.”
“Food is a very important part of any good mating ceremony. Isn’t it, Sabin?” Kagan asked the boy at his side.
“Yes,” Sabin agreed with his sire, as he nodded emphatically.
“It is the same with my people,” Aculus chuckled.
Cyprian looked at the sizeable courtyard nestled in the hillside. The general in him was constantly assessing his surroundings. Falling back on his training, gave Cyprian’s mind a break from his other worries. This may be the site of a mating, but there was also the final leg of a mission to consider.
On the high side of the courtyard lay the gardens with the villa at top. The house had a great view of the cane plantation. At either end of the courtyard lay buildings, that extended down the hill, to the landing strip below.
“It’s good the dulcis has been harvested around the landing strip, with all the cruisers expected today,” Cyprian commented.
Large plants in containers, blocked access to the courtyard. They funneled the guests coming up the road through one entrance, allowing Tytus and Aculus to scan the regents. They’d confirm their suspect, secure him, then the evening could continue unimpeded.
And somewhere in there I’ll pull Riley aside.
The thought of Riley was almost like a summons to the females. They emerged as a group from the villa, and crossed the courtyard, just in time to greet the first guests. Riley looked stunning in a dress that matched the violet highlights in her hair. The slits in her skirt flapped in the breeze, teasing Cyprian with brief views of her legs. Riley’s hair hung down around her bare shoulders in bouncing waves.
Son of a metcor, Cyprian cursed under his breath, as he shifted on his feet. Riley had him hard, and she wasn’t even within arm’s reach.
“Close your mouth, Tytus. You’ll let flies in,” June said, as she sidled up to Tytus.
Tytus was struck dumb by the sight of June.
“Don’t forget your guests,” Giselle prodded.
“Ah, yes,” Tytus replied when he recovered.
Riley refused to look at Cyprian. It was maddening. While the couples greeted the arriving guests, Cyprian debated working his way over to her. Considering his track record, it would only turn into a scene. The last thing he needed to do was ruin the event by showing his tail.
“Hey.”
Aculus nudged Cyprian, then subtly pointed to the regent that just entered.
“Are you sure?” Cyprian asked under his breath, between guests.
Aculus nodded in confirmation. Cyprian crossed the aisle to Tytus and Kagan.
“It’s Feroze. Aculus just got a reading off him.”