Total pages in book: 197
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
“Thank you for asking, Bradach, the answer is many.” I was so loud, I drowned out the moans. “I’ve had many well-endowed, fierce, passionate lovers, so you’re right, my lord never had a chance with that tiny, little cock, but trust me, with practice, he can at least make it so I’m not so bored.” I beamed at Shadowsoul’s darkening expression. “Does that make you feel better, darling?”
He was staring hard at my mouth, like he wanted to rip it out. “You shame only yourself with this display.”
“Shame? No, it isn’t shameful to have a mole on your cock that is bigger than your cock itself. All bodies are beautiful and wonderful in their uniqueness.” My smile was sweet. “I only ask that you do not make me suck on it again. I know you get off on that, but it’s so hairy. It was like licking a cat.”
I wanted the fucking couples to cease their activities, and they most certainly had. I claimed the wide-eyed, gawping attention of everyone in the room. I did. They were all—townspeople, guards, servants—blinking at me.
I swallowed hard, keeping my chin high. I didn’t know this face. Did it blush as easily as my true one? Because if it did, this scene was even more embarrassing than it felt. Even so, I had to keep it up. I vowed to stay by his side during the day, learning how to rule. I may not be able to leave, but our promises said nothing about him getting fed up with me and sending me away.
I will make him despise me so much, he wants me nowhere near him before moonrise, and he runs much slower after it.
“Um, my lady?” Aeris ventured, nerves lacing her tone. “Have you finished? May we begin now?”
I laughed. “Oh my Meya, I said the same thing last night! The tragedy was that he had finished, and I didn’t even know we’d begun—”
Alisdair snapped his fingers. My lips kept moving, but nothing came out.
“Proceed,” he ordered.
I cursed foully with no one to hear it. Magic. My plan did not take magic into account.
Two men stepped forward. Thick, scaly bumpy skin covered their faces, hands, and elongated jaws. They looked about with strange, slitted eyes, flashing teeth too long for their mouths.
“State the issue that brings you before our lord and king,” Aeris ordered.
Both men snapped their hands up, pointing at the other. It was only then I noticed their arms were shorter than they should be—as if they were shrinking back into their bodies. I couldn’t begin to guess what kind of animal was taking over them.
“Lorcan, my lord. We have shared the waters of the Lumenfell River for three generations,” Lorcan said. Beyond his odd reptilian skin, I noted his trim beard, broad shoulders, and quivering jowls. “His bask has taken over the northern marsh, and are refusing our bask entry. They killed two of our own who tried!
“Most of the prey have taken to the trees,” he said. “We have only the fish in the northern marsh to eat. They’re driving us to starvation.”
Alisdair turned on the other man. “Is this true, Arin? What have you to say for yourself?”
Arin flashed Lorcan a contemptuous sneer. “He paints himself as the innocent when, in truth, his bask ceased all trading of goods, which is why we needed the northern marsh in the first place. It is us who are starving! He only comes to you now with his bleating because the prey took to the mountains two months early, and their food stores are low.”
“I see.” Alisdair’s expression was unreadable. I couldn’t guess what was going on behind those unfathomable pools. “Have you made every effort to solve this dispute among yourselves?”
Growls and snaps were their reply. Compromise and diplomacy had clearly broken down between these two.
“Very well. What say you, my queen?”
It wasn’t until I noticed everyone staring at me did the words penetrate. “What? Me?” I said, shocked to find I could. “What say me?”
He nodded, clearly irritated. “What is your suggestion for them?”
I blinked at him. We settled on the fact that he was indeed speaking to me, but for the life of me I didn’t know why. Women in Lyrica weren’t asked their opinions on any topic—least of all the runnings of the kingdom and the needs of our people. He truly wanted to know what I thought best?
“Uhh, okay,” I said, sitting up straight. “First, I—” I twisted around to Bradach. “Bradach, what is—?”
“You will address your questions to me,” my husband stated. Had I imagined it, or had something other than flat disinterest entered his tone?
“Very well.” I faced him. “What is a bask?”
“A bask is a group of crocodiles,” he replied, surprising me again.
I couldn’t remember the last time a man answered a question I asked without mocking, scoffing, or calling me stupid. It had been that long.