Queen of the Darkness (The Black Jewels #3)(47)
Author: Anne Bishop

The last thing he was fully aware of was the mist thickening and swirling up around him until there was nothing else.

He struggled to get past the thick fog of sleep when something grabbed his arm and dragged him out of bed.

Groggy, he tried to wake up enough to wonder why he was being pushed and prodded across the room.

He didn’t have any trouble waking up after Lucivar shoved him into the shower cubicle and turned on the cold water full blast.

Daemon clawed at the dial until he managed to shut off the water. Bracing one hand against the wall, he tried to convince his cold-tightened muscles to let go of his lungs long enough for him to take a breath. Then he glared at Lucivar.

"Jaenelle woke up in a similar mood," Lucivar said mildly. "Must have been an interesting night."

"Nothing happened," Daemon growled as he swiped his hair back.

"Nothing physical," Lucivar said. "But I’ve danced with the Sadist enough times to recognize him when I see him."

Daemon just waited.

Lucivar’s lips curled into that lazy, arrogant smile. "Welcome to Kaeleer, brother," he said softly. "It’s good to have you back." He paused at the bathroom door. "I’ll bring you a cup of coffee. That and a hot shower ought to wake you up enough."

"Enough for what?" Daemon asked warily.

Lucivar’s smile turned wicked. "You’re late for practice, old son. But, all things considered, I’ll give you another fifteen minutes to get to the field before I come looking for you again."

"And if you have to come looking again?" Daemon asked too softly.

"Trust me. If I have to come looking for you again, you’re not going to like it."

He already didn’t like it. But he sipped the coffee Lucivar brought him while the hot water pounded his neck and back—and the Sadist began planning the quiet, gentle seduction of Jaenelle Angelline.

Chapter Five

1 / Kaeleer

Alexandra walked through the corridors, Philip beside her. She would have preferred Leland’s company rather than an unavailable male, but the way Philip had quickly offered to accompany her meant he wanted to discuss something with her in private without making it obvious.

Irritated by his presence, she snapped, "We’ve been here for over a week and nothing’s happened. How long does that ‘escort’ expect us to be able to remain guests?"

Philip didn’t have to point out that Osvald, the escort Dorothea had provided, hadn’t been able to get close to either Wilhelmina or Jaenelle without having to deal with at least one male chaperon, let alone get close enough to slip the women away from the Hall. He also didn’t have to point out that they would be "guests" until the High Lord—or thereal Queen who ruled this court—decided otherwise.

"Lucivar came to see me this morning," Philip said abruptly.

Hearing the tightness in his voice, Alexandra glanced at him, then took a closer look at the flush darkening Philip’s face. Was that anger or embarrassment? "And?"

"He strongly suggested that you tighten your hold on Vania’s leash before she gets hurt. It seems she’s too aggressive in her efforts to coax a Kaeleer male into her bed. He said if she’s that itchy for a male, she should invite her Consort, since that’s why he’s here."

Personally, Alexandra thought Vania acted like a slut. But Vania was also generous about sharing the use of her males with visiting Queens—a generosity Alexandra never refused whenever she visited that Province. She had kept no steady lover in her own court for more than twenty-five years—ever since she had asked Philip to see Leland through her Virgin Night. It wouldn’t have been fair to any of them if she had asked him to warm her bed after that when he really wanted to be her daughter’s lover, and the other men she had considered since then had been far more interested in the power they might wield as her Consort than in giving her pleasure.

But remembering Vania’s generosity—and the fact that no male currently warmedher bed, either—made Alexandra defensive. "She wouldn’t have to be ‘aggressive’ if this court remembered to provide visiting Queens with the basic amenities."

"I mentioned that," Philip said through gritted teeth. "And was told that there are no males in this court whose service requirements include that duty."

"I find that hard to believe. Not every Queen who comes here would necessarily have a Consort at that moment or have brought him. There must besome arrangement—" She stopped, shaken by the depth of the insult. "It’s because we’re from Terreille, isn’t it?"

"Yes," Philip said flatly. "He said there are a few males in the Second and Third Circles who would normally be willing to accommodate a guest of the court if asked, but because Terreillean Queens don’t know how to enjoy a male without mistreating him, no Kaeleer male would willingly offer himself." He hesitated. "He also said there are no pleasure slaves in Kaeleer."

Thatverbal slap hurt as much as a blow because it was a reminder that, for a few months, Daemon Sadi had been a pleasure slave in her court.

"I see," she said tightly.

"Despite his anger over the situation, Lucivar actually seemed concerned," Philip said, sounding baffled. "Mostly because Vania’s fixed her efforts on Prince Aaron."

"Aaronis a very handsome man, and—"

"He’s married."

There wasn’t much she could say to that, not when she could feel waves of anxiety rolling off of Philip. Vania’s marked attention toward a married man would be a sharp reminder of his own vulnerability.

While more and more aristo marriage contracts in Terreille were being made for social or political reasons, most Blood males still cherished the idea of marriage because it was the one relationship where the genders met on common ground as partners. Or as close to being partners as was possible—or reasonable. It also meant that male fidelity was a marriage requirement, and any man who looked beyond his wife’s bed could swiftly find himself without home or family, could even lose his children.

"There’s another reason to curb Vania," Philip said. "If the males here get any more riled …"

"I know," Alexandra replied sharply. They would never get Wilhelmina and Jaenelle away from the Hall if the males became more hostile than they already were. "I know," she said again, softening her voice. "I’ll talk to her."

"Soon?"

She disliked herself for thinking less of him because of the anxiety in his voice.

"Yes, Philip," she said gently, "I’ll talk to her soon."

2 / Kaeleer