Riley sighed in relief, then frowned. The emotion in Cyprian’s voice confused her. She didn’t want to be passed around, but the possessive statement gave her mixed emotions. She wanted to say Cyprian was a dog growling over a juicy new bone. Except there was something in his voice that said otherwise. Cyprian might be a domineering, slave owning bastard, but Riley was starting to believe he didn’t want her to come to harm.
Riley didn’t know what to make of her conflicting thoughts. And if she could sort it all out, it wouldn’t really change a thing. But there was one thing for sure. She wasn’t about to let some cultural taboo get in the way of the only perk of being enslaved.
Riley opened the bathroom door, without bothering to knock. Both men looked tense. Cyprian’s fists were clenched by his side, as he took deep huffing breaths through his nose. Based on their posture, her interruption had preempted a fight.
“You two can stop arguing about me.” Riley stepped between the two bristling men. “I’m a screamer. Sorry if that bothers you. Maybe I’m a sick girl, but I really don’t mind that Cyprian tied me up.” Riley shrugged as she spoke to Vintor. “But just because I enjoyed it, don’t think I’m giving you a free pass.” Riley jabbed her finger in Cyprian’s chest. She didn’t want him making a habit of it.
The men’s eyes widened at her blunt announcement.
“You tied her up?” Vintor growled at Cyprian.
If Riley hadn’t been standing between them, they might have come to blows.
“Enough posturing. I’m fine,” Riley barked sternly.
The men eyed each other for a minute then eased back.
“Riley, you misunderstood the conversation, although I’m glad you are fine, considering my friend’s behavior,” Vintor stated with an incredulous shake of his head.
“Now is not the time to discuss this,” Cyprian commented to Vintor.
Vintor didn’t appear to agree with the general, but he didn’t elaborate.
“I don’t think I did misunderstand. But you know what? I don’t care. This whole situation is fucked up. I don’t know what arrangement you two had, but I can tell you one thing, I’m not going to be passed around. And unless I yell your name, don’t come knocking on the door, with some backwards version of chivalry.”
Riley stood with her hands on her hips as she gave Vintor a piece of her mind. She didn’t understand how the Cadi could condone slavery, then have issue with all the rest. After all, she was sold as an exotic bed warmer, as Aculus had so tactlessly pointed out.
Cyprian wrapped his arm around Riley’s waist and tugged her back against him. She relaxed in his strong arms. It felt good. Riley hadn’t experienced a lot of that lately. She was going to soak it up, regardless of how she came by it.
“Oh, my friend, what have you gotten into?” Vintor laughed grimly.
Cyprian didn’t reply, he just growled a sound of frustration.
“What are you laughing about?” Riley asked. Vintor’s change in demeanor was confusing and frustrating.
“I’ll tell you some day,” Vintor replied. “Don’t worry. I won’t separate you. I’ve already seen how well that will go over. A word of advice, Cyprian, watch yourself.” With that parting advice, Vintor left.
Disaster averted, Riley sighed, feeling relieved.
Cyprian eased his grip around Riley’s waist and turned her to face him. He brushed her hair back and ran his fingers along the bite mark.
“Little Manx,” he said softly, then paused and shook his head. “You didn’t listen again. I asked you to stay in bed. You also shouldn’t have been listening to our conversation,” Cyprian chastised, although the soft way he said it, didn’t indicate he was mad.
Riley was sure that wasn’t what Cyprian started to say. The man was a conundrum.
“Yeah, apparently,” Riley yawned. She didn’t have the energy to debate him.
“Come on, Little Manx. Enough mischief. It’s bedtime.”
“Why do you call me that?” she asked, hoping it wasn’t something derogatory.
“Because you remind me of the wild feline on my planet.”
“Oh.” Riley smiled. Being compared to a wild cat was kinda cool.
Riley fell into the bed, feeling boneless. The mattress dipped when Cyprian took the spot beside her with a groan. She was suddenly exhausted, and the plush bed was heavenly. The day had felt like one giant ride on a tilt-a-whirl, with the man lying next to her at the controls. But it was telling, how quickly and soundly she fell asleep, listening to the deep rhythmic breathing beside her.
Chapter 8. The Morning After