Shara hadn’t lived with our kind around her either. Perhaps that’s why she was so willing to allow each of us the space to keep to ourselves.
But I didn’t like the sense of heaviness in her bond. It tasted like guilt.
:You have nothing to regret, my queen. I burn with joy every moment I’m allowed to exist with you.:
:I was just thinking…: She hesitated and her bond darkened in my head. Some of her light went out. Some of her spark.
Smoak poured through me, lighting up our bond. Sending molten solar energy to burn away our queen’s sadness. Perhaps a tad too enthusiastically because her gown started to smoke.
Rik thumped me so hard we dropped several feet in the air. Close enough I contemplated dropping beneath the surface of water to make sure she wasn’t burned. Though her power absorbed the heat and shifted it throughout her body.
Her breath caught and she laughed shakily. :I’m fine,: she said down her alpha bond.
So much for the illusion we were alone.
:We’re as alone as I can make it,: she replied. :I muted everyone but Rik, and I asked him to back off to allow you this time.:
:What made you so sad?:
:I wasn’t sad. Just wondering how you might feel about the new Blood.:
Coasting, I slowed our flight, letting my wings catch the breeze to lift us higher. :I don’t understand why you thought new Blood would upset me? They’re your Blood, my queen. Call as many as you can. The more the merrier as long as they leave me the fuck alone.:
She sighed. :That’s what I mean. You’re alone.:
:I’m never alone. I have Smoak and you.:
:But you don’t have as much of me as you’d like. Not when I have so many other Blood.:
:We’d all love to have more of your time, sure. But I’m happy with you, my queen. Always. I don’t have any expectations, other than you feed on me as often as you wish.:
:They can spend time together.:
I still wasn’t following. :I spend time with the other Blood all the time. Rik sends us on duty with the others. Even the fucking dragon can be tolerable on occasion.:
:They’re all male.:
:So? I don’t give a fuck…: My words fell off as it finally dawned on me what she was worried about. :I could try fucking one of them if that would please you.:
:No! Goddess, that’s not what I meant at all. I enjoy watching them fuck each other, but you don’t have anyone but me. I Called more Blood, but I don’t know how many. I certainly don’t know if any of them are female.:
The coastline broke the horizon so our trip back to Galveston was almost over. I dipped a wing, flying parallel to the shore, delaying as long as possible. :It doesn’t matter to me, as long as I have you.:
:It matters to me. You should have as many opportunities to love as the men.:
It honestly didn’t matter to me. But it meant the world to me that she cared. :You haven’t seen your sweet Mayte in a while. Or is there another sibling queen you’d like me to fuck?:
:I’m not close to any of the siblings in New York City except Gwen, and I don’t feel that way about her, even if she was interested. Mayte is getting a new sibling for us from Brazil. I don’t know if it’ll be a romantic relationship for her or not.:
I couldn’t imagine Mayte feeling anything for another queen after she’d had a taste of ours, but I’d been wrong before. :I have to admit I actually prefer being your only female Blood, my queen.:
Her bond jolted with surprise. :Really? Why?:
:I get you all to myself when you take me. Smoak doesn’t like to share.:
I couldn’t see her face, but I felt the wicked curve of her lips against my chest. :I haven’t had the pleasure of Smoak fucking me yet. Is that something you can manage midair?:
My heart caught fire and Smoak’s flames shimmered to blue. :Funny you should mention fucking in the air, my queen. Because that’s exactly how phoenixes mate.: