eyes were what disturbed her most.
His gentian-blue eyes were heated with a mystifying anticipation, tinged with a possessive inflexibility. Baylor had never shown any marked interest in her before when they’d encountered each other in passing at court. Naeme knew when a man wanted her. She read desire like a second language. His desire spoke in volumes with a hunger that was both primal and lustful. Perplexed, she frowned at him.
The urge to flee clamoured over Naeme’s senses, but the responsive flesh between her thighs throbbed.
“You made it so easy for me. I claim you.” The very sound of his voice, melodic with a deep bass of thunder, held Naeme in place.
With a flutter of her wings, Naeme rose into the air to put height and distance between them. Wariness had her poised for a fight as she untangled herself from the thrall of his voice. “What are you blabbering about? I don’t think your lady would like you consorting with the likes of me.”
“I used the Hunt as a way to return you to court. Titania knows I have a need. She has granted me leave to fulfil my wish.”
“A need?” She tilted her head. Suspicious of his sudden verboseness, she surreptitiously checked the shadows.
“My burgeoning will coincides with yours come the spring.”
Her pride pricked, she said coolly, “A vessel. You seek a vessel to bear a babe.” She couldn’t help but be astounded by the sheer arrogance of the man. Masking her growing rage with amusement, she laughed. The sound tinkled through the air with a bell-like clarity. “At the moment of the forming, we’d have to both want what we’d create, which I won’t even consider for many more changes of the seasons.” She sent him a mocking smile. “I doubt very much that once-in-a-blue-moon event would occur.”
“Well, if he won’t do, perhaps I can proffer my services.” The laughing offer chimed out as Valen manifested out of thin air and grinned at them. “Well, hello, darling, you are looking particularly appetising tonight.”
“Valen!” Naeme blew him a cheeky kiss, which he responded to with a brow-waggling leer.
Valen was another of Oberon’s occasional lovers, who happened to be hers as well. He took care of any mundane tasks Oberon couldn’t be bothered with—instigator of all manner of mischievous pranks, primary facilitator of all things sexual.
Fair as Baylor’s was dark, Valen’s sunny hair glistened even in the moonlight. He was tall and whippet-thin, his beauty almost feminine, but she knew from experience that he was thoroughly male. He leaned against a tree with the nonchalance of the confident.
Naeme dashed into his arms and hugged him close. She inhaled the dear familiar scent of him. “How I’ve longed to see you,” she murmured against his velvety coat.
“What are you doing here?” Baylor snarled. The dark menace in his voice, which had many a being quailing with fright, didn’t faze Valen one bit. In fact, he sent Baylor a sunny grin.
“Well, Oberon had a rare pang of remorse. He felt our Naeme here paid too high a price for his, ahhh…enthusiastic attentions. After all, Titania forgave him months ago. I agreed because I’m fond of this delicious girl, who should have known better than to dally with the king for any length of time.” Wicked merriment gleamed in his eyes.
“But our lord can be so deliciously attentive when he sets his mind to it. Who could say no? We had a fine time with him, didn’t we?” Naeme reminded him.
“True, I’ve missed our little romps.” He grinned at her, sharing the memory.
Naeme couldn’t help but respond. Valen was a favourite playmate of hers. They had loved and laughed too many times to count.
“Besides, our sovereigns capriciously tup whoever takes their fancy. It seemed unfair to the dear girl to have to live on the fringes. The king has charged me with the task of ensuring she returns to the fold. Court hasn’t been the same without you, darling.”
Baylor scoffed.
His gentian-blue eyes were heated with a mystifying anticipation, tinged with a possessive inflexibility. Baylor had never shown any marked interest in her before when they’d encountered each other in passing at court. Naeme knew when a man wanted her. She read desire like a second language. His desire spoke in volumes with a hunger that was both primal and lustful. Perplexed, she frowned at him.
The urge to flee clamoured over Naeme’s senses, but the responsive flesh between her thighs throbbed.
“You made it so easy for me. I claim you.” The very sound of his voice, melodic with a deep bass of thunder, held Naeme in place.
With a flutter of her wings, Naeme rose into the air to put height and distance between them. Wariness had her poised for a fight as she untangled herself from the thrall of his voice. “What are you blabbering about? I don’t think your lady would like you consorting with the likes of me.”
“I used the Hunt as a way to return you to court. Titania knows I have a need. She has granted me leave to fulfil my wish.”
“A need?” She tilted her head. Suspicious of his sudden verboseness, she surreptitiously checked the shadows.
“My burgeoning will coincides with yours come the spring.”
Her pride pricked, she said coolly, “A vessel. You seek a vessel to bear a babe.” She couldn’t help but be astounded by the sheer arrogance of the man. Masking her growing rage with amusement, she laughed. The sound tinkled through the air with a bell-like clarity. “At the moment of the forming, we’d have to both want what we’d create, which I won’t even consider for many more changes of the seasons.” She sent him a mocking smile. “I doubt very much that once-in-a-blue-moon event would occur.”
“Well, if he won’t do, perhaps I can proffer my services.” The laughing offer chimed out as Valen manifested out of thin air and grinned at them. “Well, hello, darling, you are looking particularly appetising tonight.”
“Valen!” Naeme blew him a cheeky kiss, which he responded to with a brow-waggling leer.
Valen was another of Oberon’s occasional lovers, who happened to be hers as well. He took care of any mundane tasks Oberon couldn’t be bothered with—instigator of all manner of mischievous pranks, primary facilitator of all things sexual.
Fair as Baylor’s was dark, Valen’s sunny hair glistened even in the moonlight. He was tall and whippet-thin, his beauty almost feminine, but she knew from experience that he was thoroughly male. He leaned against a tree with the nonchalance of the confident.
Naeme dashed into his arms and hugged him close. She inhaled the dear familiar scent of him. “How I’ve longed to see you,” she murmured against his velvety coat.
“What are you doing here?” Baylor snarled. The dark menace in his voice, which had many a being quailing with fright, didn’t faze Valen one bit. In fact, he sent Baylor a sunny grin.
“Well, Oberon had a rare pang of remorse. He felt our Naeme here paid too high a price for his, ahhh…enthusiastic attentions. After all, Titania forgave him months ago. I agreed because I’m fond of this delicious girl, who should have known better than to dally with the king for any length of time.” Wicked merriment gleamed in his eyes.
“But our lord can be so deliciously attentive when he sets his mind to it. Who could say no? We had a fine time with him, didn’t we?” Naeme reminded him.
“True, I’ve missed our little romps.” He grinned at her, sharing the memory.
Naeme couldn’t help but respond. Valen was a favourite playmate of hers. They had loved and laughed too many times to count.
“Besides, our sovereigns capriciously tup whoever takes their fancy. It seemed unfair to the dear girl to have to live on the fringes. The king has charged me with the task of ensuring she returns to the fold. Court hasn’t been the same without you, darling.”
Baylor scoffed.
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