Page 56 of Fae Farewells

“Keep going,” I rasped. “Please. Keep fucking going.”

My back hit the bed, his right hand around my neck as his left held his weight. A swivel of his hips had me crying out his name. He bit into my chest, at the curve of my cleavage, as I forced him to follow me over the cliff’s edge with a drawn-out groan.

I smiled up at Briggs, and he shook his head, pulling out of me slowly before flopping onto the bed. He propped his head on his hand, elbow on the pillow as he studied me curiously.

“So… Roleplaying?” he asked, humor in his tone.

“Next time, we’ll do that outside,” I told him. “You’ll have to catch me then.”

“I quite literally hunted you in my sleep, Barbie. What makes you think I won’t find you in a forest while I’m awake?”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s the point, Wolf. I’m hoping you do.”

“Are you done?” Palmer asked through the door.

“Yes,” I replied as Briggs grouched, “No.”

My mage opened the door, then closed his eyes, exasperation clear in his expression. “Put some fucking clothes on.”

“No,” Briggs argued, offended. “You walked in. The door was closed. If I want to have my dick out behind a closed door—”

“I don’t care about your dick,” Palmer cut in. “The queen summoned us. We have to go. Sloane needs clothes.”

“Joy,” I dryly stated, standing to dig through my bag.

“You’re not going to shower?” my mage inquired. “There’s some blood on your neck… And your legs. What the fuck were you doing?”

Briggs threw his hands in the air. “Why? Why are we suddenly trying to keep her dressed?”

Palmer conceded with a nod, his sarcasm thickening his accent as he said, “Because she doesn’t think being in the nude says she’s here for business.”

I snorted. “I’ll shower when we get back. I can’t imagine that she would appreciate waiting while I washed your scent off my body.”

* * *

The sage green woman, Lashul, escorted us to the throne room, though she never said a word. I wasn’t feeling exceptionally chatty either, but I was finding it strange that none of the staff spoke to us.

Alania perched on her ornate throne again, surrounded by exotic marbles and furs... Tending to the people beneath her. Literally. They weren’t allowed to step on the podium to get closer—or, Devil forbid it—stand above her. They were practically yelling so she could hear their complaints and concerns.

She waved us over. Or maybe it was just me she was looking at? I couldn’t tell. I also wanted nothing to do with whatever circus she was running.

“I thought you might be growing tired of your suite. I would apologize for not having more activities prepared, but I do stay terribly busy, you see.” She flourished her hand at the six villagers in the room.

“Of course,” I replied, resisting the urge to rip her eyes from their sockets. “It’s exhausting leading people. We’ve been enjoying our break.”

One-by-one, the people came to their queen, expressing issues she could fix. But she refused each of them before they had finished explaining themselves.

And I grew pissy... again.

This was utter bullshit.

It was as if she wanted to show that she was some amazing ruler while doing absolutely nothing, and I’d had enough. I’d finally reached the level where I couldn’t keep my mouth shut any longer.

My mates could see it, probably felt my bullshit meter burst as my emotions swirled unpredictably. They were ready to react.

The older man before her said he led a small village in the north. They were experiencing a food shortage. But as soon as he requested her help, she shooed him away.

“Wait,” I called out.