Why did Patrick pat her back and glare so menacingly?
‘I’m trying my best to stay out of your relationships, to not interfere.’ Lumen tapped her foot. ‘And I know in some vague alien way your heart is in the right place, but bloody hell, Wyn, this is too cruel to sit aside and watch.’
His attention veered. ‘Cruel?’
‘Do you not see what is happening down there?’
Striking a fine pose, his nostrils flared. He had no inklings but was tired of admitting as such when it came to his One. He was doing everything in his power to make her happy.
If he stood there long enough, Lumen would tell him what the problem was. The female made a habit of interfering. He adored her but thanked the Boar she wasn’t his. Sìne was far more suited to his temperament.
Scoffing, Lumen smacked his arm. Shook out her hand on a wince. ‘You allowed a leggy Baxnonian female to strut in unannounced, half naked, and then let your entire harem parade in and you lapped it up.’ Her face fell in dismay. ‘How could you do that? Embarrass Sìne in front of everybody?’
‘You consider Sìne your friend.’ It was a wonderful realisation and a surprise because he’d sensed tension between the two females when they met. ‘It pleases me enormously that you, my legendary best friend, have befriended my One and guard her interests.’
‘That is so besides the point.’ She snapped her fingers in his face. ‘Focus, Wyn. You’re humiliating your One.’
‘But this is not true.’
‘You’re right; I’m being gentle. You’ve devastated her.’
He made a flabbergasted noise.
Backing up a pace, Lumen took a long breath. ‘Listen. Carefully. Sìne is a human woman. We have been brought up in a society which pits us against each other.’ Palms facing the heavens, she spread her fingers. ‘It sucks. It’s wrong and sick we do that to each other, but it is what it is. Trust me when I say that display down there,’ she wagged a finger, ‘is a mistake on your part.’
‘I did not summon them.’ He scratched the back of his neck. ‘I do not see what is wrong.’
‘Think about how she must feel comparing herself to them.’
‘Sìne is perfect to me.’
‘I’m glad, Wyn, but you have to understand, she might not see herself that way. It’s likely she views herself in a negative light because of the way mankind measures beauty on Earth, and how she’s been treated in the past.’ She peered at him worriedly. ‘Get it?’
‘She has been hurt by another, but I am not him. I do not care what she looks like as long as her heart and soul are mine for keeping.’
‘That is the sweetest thing, but do you get where I’m going with this?’
‘Sìne feels she must compete with my concubines.’ Even as he said it, he thought the notion absurd.
‘So you are going to do what?’
‘Help her best them.’
‘Exact–Wait, what? You need to make her feel secure in her place.’
‘I have chosen her as my everlasting match. None are above her.’
‘To show that to your human mate you’re going to….’
Beowyn leant in as Lumen seemed to need that from him. He spoke slowly. ‘Bed her?’
He liked this plan.
‘How did you come to that conclusion after everything I’ve said? Fine. Let’s come at this differently.’
‘Must we come at it at all?’
‘How would you feel if Sìne’s past lovers stood here asking her to mate?’
‘Angry and jealous.’
Her eyes gleamed satisfaction. ‘Tell me why?’
‘She’s my mate.’
‘Good. This is good. What would you do in that situation?’
‘Fight them then rut with her on their broken backs.’
‘Uh huh.’ She rubbed her eyes. ‘Is that what you’re expecting Sìne to do to your concubines?’
‘Buy why would she do this?’
‘You mated with them. What if she is the one jealous and angry?’
‘I have mated one female. Sìne. I have bedded the rest and made them concubines.’ This was all very simple, but if Lumen was struggling perhaps Sìne was also misinformed. ‘My harem are not my mates. I am not angry or jealous of her past lovers. They mean nothing.’ As if they ever could when she was his One. ‘I am angry at her past mate because he held her heart, and jealous of Éorik because I think she only beds those she loves.’ He had watched her closely and heard the unspoken meanings in her words.
Summoned by his name, Éorik peeked his head onto the balcony. ‘All is well? The humans are…restless.’
Lumen stepped forward, pleading. ‘Wyn, listen to me–.’
He held up a hand. ‘I will deal with this.’ They returned to the main hall, and he dismissed his harem. He turned to Sìne. ‘You do not have the status of a concubine.’ He was thankful Lumen had explained the human mind so he could convey his appreciation to his One in the correct manner. ‘You do not compete against them, do you understand? That is not your place.’ She was above them in all ways as he was above all her past lovers. ‘There is no need to be angry or jealous. I am your mate. Show me you understand.’
Sìne’s head snapped up and down.
Beowyn shot a superior look at Lumen.
She held her face in her hands, leaning against Cobra. ‘I can’t even….’ Lumen dropped her hands looking determined. ‘Remember how you asked if it would be okay for me to look after your daughter while you took Sìne on a tour of your apartments?’
‘I did?’
That sounded good.
They’d be alone.
With a bed.
‘You were going to talk to her about some things,’ Lumen continued.
‘Was I now?’
It seemed a poor use of time.
Why would they be talking?
On the bed.
‘Fergie will be fine with us. She’s so well behaved.’ She speared a judgemental look at her mates.
Fiercely frowned. ‘Our offspring is well-behaved.’
‘Brave is a hooligan. He doesn’t understand the word no, and he won’t until you use it.’ She faced Sìne. ‘So we’ll keep hold of Fergie?’
Sìne’s eyes twitched to her drowsy cub. ‘What if she gets scared and I’m no there?’
‘If she’s inconsolable, we’ll call you on Wyn’s SonCom.’ Lumen’s gentle smile faltered. ‘You two need alone time.’ She focused on the human males. ‘Éorik will show you to your rooms.’
Patrick nodded. ‘Go, Sìne. Clear things up, aye?’
Giving in, she shook her head with a sigh. ‘Any problems, you call.’
Beowyn took her hand and led her through the busy hallways and staircases until they reached his private floor.
Paladins lined the walls and bowed as they passed. He ignored them. It was a formality they indulged in when he returned after a lengthy absence.
Sìne’s hand lay stiff within his own, residual anguish flooding from her in waves. ‘You are upset.’ He pushed open his bedroom door thinking perhaps they should go to the seating area instead.
She laughed bitterly. ‘You think?’
‘I am not a mind reader nor do I wish to be one.’ He forgot about trying to impress her with his largess and gathered her into his embrace. He dipped his head, using a finger to lift her chin. ‘Tell me what is wrong.’
Her eyes focused on a spot just below his. Her words were barely audible. ‘Your harem.’
Had he not made it clear she was above them? ‘Do not feel threatened.’
‘It’s no that easy.’ Her hands came to his waist. ‘There are hundreds.’ Her voice was faint. ‘Hundreds.’
‘It would not matter if there was one or a city full. You see them as equal to you in my affections, and they are not.’ He pressed his thumb to the pulse at the base of her throat. ‘Is this clear?’
Beowyn felt Sìne relax.
Sighing, he kissed her neck, arms tightening, hoping she could feel ho
w much he wanted her. He smelt the sweet scent of her sweat, felt the delicate puffs of her breath against his cheek.
She pulled away. ‘It was a long walk.’ Her lashes lowered, and she shrugged. ‘I’m tired.’
He searched her face. She did seem fatigued, the skin under her eyes shadowed and her body cooler than normal. ‘Then you will sleep.’ Cupping her face, he claimed her lips. ‘I will stay with you.’ He activated the blackout glass then lay them on the bed. It was warm, so he simply kicked off his boots, removed hers, and then curled her back into his front. He dozed until he was roused by her whisper.
‘Lumen said you offered to get rid of your harem.’
Mortified, he grunted. ‘She wasn’t as accepting as you are.’ He nuzzled the damp column of her throat, licking the smooth skin with his raspy tongue. Beautiful, beautiful skin, like a mylk sky studded with gold stars. He’d spend the rest of his life cycle charting her alien frontiers. He shuddered. ‘I am fortunate I did not settle for convenience. I cannot imagine not having you with me.’
She said nothing else, only patted his hand and fell asleep.
Beowyn was content to lay with her. He let his mind chew over her reaction to his concubines, and what Lumen told him of Sìne’s warped sense of worth.
After Éorik had explained Beowyn’s allusion to having taken a lover on Paniki had made her weep, Beowyn begun to suspect his One did not want them to bed others. It made no sense, however, to assume she believed this as she bedded his Commander and had asked for her husband’s blessing on Zoi Quay, which he’d given. He envied Éorik her love, but she was his One, so he would try to be more gracious in dealing with their relationship. How wonderful it would be if they did not exclude him during those times, but welcomed him into their play. He would welcome Éorik to their bed without hesitation. The male drove him almost as mad with wanting as his female did. Well, he’d extended the invitation during Carnival, and Éorik accepted by sharing in their passion.
They merely waited for Sìne to make her intentions known.
Beowyn had countless duties to see to now he had returned, but he allowed himself this respite. Snoozing with his beloved mate tucked into him. He woke when his SonCom buzzed against his hip. A message from Éorik. The humans and Rä were settled, and he was for bed.
Again thinking of the conundrum that was his Commander and his One, he leant over to kiss Sìne awake.
She whined a sleepy protest, back arching in a toe-curling, spine-cracking stretch. He laughed softly. He sprinkled her face with pecks of his lips until she woke enough for him to plunder her mouth and suck on her tongue.
Humming her pleasure, Sìne broke away, breathless. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘I want to show you something.’ He curled them into a seated position then pulled her off the bed. She grumbled when he tugged her up, but eagerly pressed into him when he paused to take her mouth in a slow, drugging kiss. It left him aching to slide inside her. He led her through the quiet, moonlit hallways to the gardens in the middle of the citadel. Finding a good, open spot, he dropped onto his behind and cocked his legs. He patted the shorn turf between his thighs. She eyed him but lowered herself and cupped his knees with her small hands. Scooting across the grass, he grinned when his shaft pressed against the small of her back.
She looked over her shoulder and cocked a brow.
‘Is there something you are wanting, sweet?’
She pressed her lips, but they curved regardless. She slapped his shin. ‘What did you want to show me?’
Beowyn wrapped an arm under her breasts and hauled her closer, his legs snug against her sides. ‘In ancient times, the Verak believed the stars were celestial beings bred by the gods to help the moon at night.’ He put his chin against her temple. He clasped her hand in his then extended their arms to point. ‘See those? Not the biggest star, nor the prettiest, but the twins to the right. One burning brighter than the other.’
Her voice pitched higher. ‘There.’
‘Good.’ He rubbed his cheek against the crown of her hair, inhaled her scent; warm female and salty freshness. ‘The constellation is the most famous on all Vayhalun. It is called the Lonely Sisters.’ He brushed his lips across her ear in the lightest of touches.
She shivered. ‘Tell me.’
‘Anat is the duller of the two. Dana the brighter. A mortal cast his eyes to the sky one night and fell deeply in love with not one of the celestials, but both. He pledged them his undying love and begged the Boar God to create them bodies of flesh so they might mate.’
‘Hopeless romantic, was he?’
‘Moved by their plight, the Allbeast offered the stars mortality. Dana accepted. Anat declined.’
‘She desired him for her own.’
‘You see to the heart of the matter. Dana deemed her sister-star selfish. They fought. The Boar grew angry with their argument and withdrew the offer of his generous gift. His rage was terrible.’ He snarled in her ear, and she jolted. ‘He punished the mortal male for inciting his stars to jealousy. So now Anat covers her face in shame. Unlike Dana, she chose loneliness over accepting her mortal mate’s love for another. The other celestials did not respect her choice. They beam their luminance to shadow hers, so those who look to the stars will not follow her selfish example.’
Sìne stirred where she lay against him. ‘What happened to the mortal?’
‘He was condemned to forever wander the universe in search of Anat. You see, the Allbeast promised if he found the celestial, the three of them would be together for eternity.
‘How will he find her?’
‘It is a great sorrow he never will. Her sister-stars shine too brightly, and Anat hides her face.’ Nuzzling Sìne’s cheek, he let the burble of the freshwater spring that flowed from the highest mountain peaks settle into their bones, rooting them. He chuckled at her huff. ‘You did not like the legend?’
‘It’s a tragedy. Sad and unfair. Dana and the mortal are forever being punished for Anat’s failings.’
Nodding, he rocked her side to side. ‘You speak truth.’ He concluded he would be a fool not to heed the lesson. He would cherish her love even if he shared it with another.
‘I want a happier ending.’
‘Ah, Sìne, so do I.’
Chapter 25
Knives scraped plates and glasses clinked as my family ate. Treacly aromas drifted from the dishes scattered along the pockmarked wooden table. Steamed flat cakes had risen into puffy circles and were eaten with glacé rind scrapings and pearled sugar. Smoked meats presented in paper thin slices artfully fanned around wedges of waxy, mould speckled cheese. Napkins dabbed mouths, and hands dipped into fragrant baskets, fingers clutching dainty knives that smeared jellied preserves and glossy clotted cream. Mounds of chopped fruit overflowed from one tray, while nut sprinkled pastries, and plaited loaves burst from another. Tureens of boiled grain towered over a vast selection of syrups, sauces and sugared flowers for added flavour. Chilled jugs of water, freshly squeezed nectar and imported goodbeast mylk were placed throughout the mouth-watering bounty.
I stilled, a crisp flute of fried dough stuffed with seasoned, fruiting-body and salty cheese on my lips and pondered their furtive movements and darting eyes. I recalled when I shared a humble meal of tea and toast with these beloved people not a month past.
We had bickered, pinched, shoved and hugged. Pecked smiling cheeks and offered encouragement when hopes and dreams were spoken.
We had been proud, and certain of our low place in the world.
Walking into the morning room of the Vayhalun Palace, rested after a long sleep in our comfortable beds, we’d pulled up short, clustered in the stone doorway, staring at the cornucopia weighing down a long table.
We’d shuffled towards it in a clump, mostly spurred by Fergie. The girl was red-faced as her stomach rumbled, tugging on my nose, body leant at an angle as she strained forward. When none of the servants tried to oust us from our seats, we’d settled to our meal.
&nb
sp; Rich food rolled over in my stomach. The queasy sensation was followed by a mouth of bitter saliva and a wave of dizziness. I turned my face into a shaft of sunlight glittering with dust motes, letting its warmth settle my trembling insides.
We chewed and gulped in silence.
Except for my precocious daughter.
She warbled her way through a nursery rhyme and mashed her food into a garish patty. She then crammed the frisbee into her maw. The slobbery mess was complete with a wiggling tongue and snarled-hissing noises.
With a start, I realised she mimicked Bravest.
Lumen had been irritated her hatchling begun fretting over baldness, slapping at his cranial ridges when he saw Fergie. I hadn’t understood why it bothered her. I’d thought it important our children recognise and appreciate their differences. Watching my human baby eat like a baby Ra, without the ditty fangs and unhinged jaw to make her display cute, I felt the woman’s pain.
‘Your table manners are atrocious, wee bit.’ My child needed lessons in etiquette. It was one of those things that I’d never realised she hadn’t been taught, another thing which slipped by the wayside while I’d been busy providing. ‘Mammy is needing to show you how to eat like a princess.’ I’d teach her as soon as I learned how myself. I dabbed at her ear, crusted with the nourishing, gelatinous grain she’d consumed before moving onto fruit puree with cream. ‘Drink water now.’
Patrick snorted as he sipped his herb-scented iced tea. ‘I wouldn’t worry overmuch. She’s a bairn.’
‘There are going to be functions she’ll need to attend.’ Aled snagged a bread roll. He stuffed it with thick cuts of meat and gloopy cheese. ‘ Learning manners is never a bad thing.’ He licked his knife. ‘Worried she’ll misbehave?’
‘She’ll feel excluded if I don’t take her with me to the feasts and festivals. She might offend the guests. I don’t care if she embarrasses me. I want her to make a good impression on Owyn.’
‘It’s not about impressions. He’s her tad now.’
I nodded at my plate. The fired earthenware was glazed in yellows and greens. Decorative cuts accented its rim.
Rowan propped his elbows on the table. ‘So, cousin. How are things progressing with your new husband?’