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“Good,” said Goll more to himself. “Glad you’re here,” he said tightly with more formality than how he spoke to Dalya in the past.
Dalya sashayed across the room, wearing a thicker fur-lined black cloak. The weather was dipping colder. She bowed elegantly to both Goll and I.
“My king. My mizrah.”
“Thank you for coming.” Goll stepped closer to me, a hand sliding to my opposite hip. “We’ll be journeying into Meerland, and I’ll need you to come with us.”
Her eyes rounded for a moment, then she glanced at me. “Meerland, Sire? For what purpose?”
“That is not your concern. We may need a healer, and I’d like you to be close at hand.”
I hadn’t known Dalya had the healing gift. Of course, it wasn’t uncommon for oracles to have both the sight and the magick of healing. I remembered Vayla again.
“Of course, Sire. Whatever you wish.”
“That is all.”
“Yes, my king.” Her voice seemed softer, almost timid. Then she quickly left.
“Why didn’t you tell her why we’re going to Meerland?” I asked.
“Because I don’t want anyone knowing what we’re doing. Only those who need to know.”
“Like your Culled?”
He wrapped his hands around my waist, pulling my body against his, gazing intently at me. “The Culled don’t need to know either. Those who just left this room are the ones I trust the most.”
I toyed with a silky strand of his black hair. “I suppose we’re off in the morning to Meerland then.”
“The sooner we leave, the sooner we can return to Näkt Mir.” He scowled. “And why are you smiling like that?”
“I’ve never met a beast fae. I’m excited to see a part of the world I never did as a sheltered Issosian royal.”
He clenched me tighter. “I don’t know if I like that you’re excited to meet the beast fae.”
“Are you jealous, King Gollaya?” I trailed a finger along his clenched jaw.
“Always.” He dipped his mouth to my neck and kissed his way up the column. “I’m jealous of anyone and everyone who garners your attention.”
Joy bubbled in my belly at his easy admission. “That’s ridiculous. You’re jealous of Hava?”
“Yes.” More kisses to the other side. I bent my neck for him. “She has the privilege of bathing and dressing you nightly.”
“You could take that job if you like.”
He lifted his head, those dragon eyes blazing with desire.
When he said nothing, I added, “I believe you told me once that you were king and could do what you liked.”
“I did.” His hands coasted down my hips. “You would let me dismiss your handmaidens and attend to your toilette?”
I laced my fingers into his hair and curled my hands around his thicker horns, shivering at the thought of him bathing me. “Who wouldn’t want a virile king as her handmaiden?”
His smile widened. “I believe it’s almost time for bed now, is it not?”
“It is early afternoon.” I grinned. “You have some kingly duties you must do first. I heard Keffa mention a guild master from Silvantis requesting to speak to you as we walked into the room.”
“No. You misheard.” He coasted a hand up my spine and twined my hair around his fist.
