Chapter Thirty-Six Nadir Sixteenth District
The following afternoon, Lor, Mael, and I stand outside the Priestess of Payne. Though I wish Lor had let me take care of this, there was no dissuading her. Not that I really thought I could. She can handle herself. I know that. But the idea of Atlas getting his hands on her makes me seize with breathless fear. If I understood what he wanted from her… Well, maybe we’ll find that out today.
“Why haven’t I been here yet?” Mael asks, scanning the ornate facade in between exchanging smiles with a handsome High Fae male wearing nothing but the scantest bit of fabric covering the bulge at his hips. Which, even from a distance, is very impressive.
Lor is scrutinizing him, too, with a hint of mild curiosity, and I resist the urge to pick her up, carry her over my shoulder, and remind her that I’m the only man who will ever touch her again. Her gaze meets mine, and she narrows her eyes as she hears my possessive thoughts.
I grin because she can pretend all she wants. She knows she’s mine now, territorial Fae bullshit and all.
She looks away, admiring the woman flanking the other side of the door. She’s beautiful, wearing a sheer white dress that leaves nothing to the imagination, and I’m not surprised to find that none of these “offerings” holds the slightest bit of allure anymore. My only interest is my mate.
She takes my hand. It feels so small in mine, and I can tell she’s nervous about what we’ll encounter. I squeeze her fingers and her shoulders straighten, setting off another wave of primal desire.
That’s right. I will be her rock and her strength whenever she needs me.
“Come in,” the male Fae says to us with a crook of his finger and a bright white smile. “Pleasure and pain await in the house of the priestess.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Mael replies, clapping and then rubbing his hands together. It’ll be a religious miracle if we get him out of here before the sun rises tomorrow or even the day after.
Mael bounds up the steps like an eager puppy, and Lor and I follow with our hands still clasped. We’re greeted by another beautiful High Fae female inside, dressed in clothing meant to mimic the religious wear of Zerra’s blessed but with some very notable and scandalous alterations.
“For three?” she asks before her gaze falls on Lor. “You came back with friends this time.”
Lor nods, and I flex my jaw.
I can’t believe you followed Cloris into this place all on your own.
Her gaze wings to me.
Save the lecture, Aurora Prince. You don’t own me, and I can do whatever I want.
I arch an eyebrow.
Fine. Maybe it wasn’t the best decision, but what’s done is done.
No problem. I’ll find a way to punish you later.
If it’s possible, her gaze darkens even further, and I’m surprised my hair doesn’t light on fire.
Don’t worry. We’ll both enjoy it. This place is giving me all kinds of ideas.
The glare drops off her face as pink creeps over her cheeks.
I love throwing you off, Lightning Bug.
“Stop it,” she hisses, and the hostess peers over her shoulder with a curious look before leading us through an archway into a large atrium decorated to look like a temple. I wonder how the goddess feels about her name being used this way. Something tells me she wouldn’t mind. The stories of her early days, when she brought drink and food and fucking aplenty to her first followers, are the stuff of legends.
“Can I get you a drink?” the hostess asks as she gestures us to a booth.
“We’ll have a bottle of your best wine,” Mael says, and she tips her head before placing a card in the middle of the table.
“I’ll bring that right out. In the meantime, this is our menu. We cater to singles, couples, or groups, depending on what you’d prefer.”
At that, Mael grins at me. “What do you say, Nadir? How about the three of us get naked?”
A low snarl rips from my throat at the idea of anyone touching Lor, even if he is my best friend.
Mael just laughs, and Lor rolls her eyes.
“Thank you,” Lor says. “We’re not actually here for that. We’re wondering if we can have a word with the mistress of this fine establishment, Madame Payne?”
The woman blinks, evidently surprised by the request. Then she tips her head.
“I can certainly find out if she’s willing to see you, though my mistress doesn’t entertain visitors often. Who may I ask is inquiring?”
Lor exchanges a wary glance with me as she nibbles her lip. We discussed this beforehand and agreed she’d likely have to reveal who she is. I don’t like it, but I have to reason that if Cloris Payne planned to do something to Lor, then she’s already had ample opportunity. At least Lor didn’t come here alone this time, so I can protect her.
“Tell her…” Lor pauses, and I know it’s carving out a piece of herself to say this when she was expected to smother the truth for so long. “That Wolf’s granddaughter is here to see her.”
I study the server’s face, searching for any signs of recognition. Any clue that those words might mean something. We agreed to use Lor’s grandfather’s name instead of Serce’s, given its far more common usage across Ouranos. While it’s a Woodlands name through and through, it isn’t unique enough to arouse suspicion.
“She’ll know what it means,” Lor adds, and the waitress nods. “I assure you.”
“Of course. I will let her know. And I’ll get your wine.”
“Thank you,” Lor says as the woman drops into a quick curtsy and then walks away, exposing everything her sheer dress fails to conceal from behind.
“You think that will work?” Lor asks, leaning against me. I love how she fits like this under my arm, where she has always belonged. “Do you think she suspected anything?”
“I don’t,” I say. I’m not entirely confident about that, but I see no reason to worry Lor. We’ve revealed at least some of our hand, and now we’ll wait to see where the chips fall.
After a few minutes, the woman returns with a tray holding the bottle we ordered, along with three glasses. She deposits them on the table and then addresses Lor.
“Mistress Payne said she is willing to see you, but she has some business she must attend to first. She invites you to enjoy the club’s entertainment on the house, and someone will retrieve you when she’s ready.”
Lor opens her mouth, obviously ready to protest. I squeeze her hand, and she closes it. I suspect this is a power play to make us squirm, but we can wait. It won’t do us much good to make a fuss.
“Okay,” Lor says. “Thank you. We’ll wait then.”
“You can remain here or move over to the performance area if you like. There will be a very exciting demonstration happening soon.”
The woman gestures to a small round stage at the far end of the room surrounded by silk-covered divans, where other High Fae are already gathering.
“Thank you,” I say. “We might do that.”
“Of course. Please let me know if you need anything else.”
With another quick curtsy, she walks away.
“You don’t think Cloris is busy running to Atlas right now, do you?” Lor asks, nervously twisting an end of her hair.
“I don’t think so,” I say. “Remember, if she recognized you then she already knew you were in Aphelion. You’re the one who keeps reminding me of that.”
“But what if she didn’t know it was me, and now we’ve just told her I’m here? Are we sitting ducks?”
“Lor, it’s going to be fine,” I say, taking her hand. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
She gives me a wry smile. “Where do you get this confidence from?”
I wink. “I come by it honestly.”
She snorts out a skeptical laugh just as a High Fae male approaches our table. “Would anyone here care for something?”
He’s nearly naked, save for the tiny shorts barely covering the swell of his massive cock, revealing stacked bronzed muscle over every inch of his body. Mael grins, and I’m pretty sure we’ve just lost him for the day. My friend has always had a thing for blonds.
“Perhaps,” Mael replies, stretching his arms along the back of the couch. “What are you offering?”
The male crooks a smile. “Anything you want.” He leans down, planting one hand on the back of the booth, his nose inches from Mael’s. “But I happen to be extremely gifted with my mouth.”
Mael lets out a low grunt. “I like the sound of that.” His gaze flicks to me.
“If you don’t need me for a short while…”
“Go,” I say, knowing this was likely to happen. “Just don’t be too long.”
“You know me, lightning quick,” he replies as he’s already sliding out of the booth. The male takes his hand and drags him away without another word while Mael waves half-heartedly back at us over his shoulder.
Lor is laughing. “How long do you really think he’ll be?”
“Oh, he’s never coming back,” I say, and she giggles. “Should we go down to watch the show?”
“Sure,” she says. “You know, the first time I came here, I thought about what it would be like to visit with you.”
I stand and pick up the wine and two glasses in one hand while I hold out my other for Lor. She takes it before we start walking towards the stage.
“And what did you think it would be like?” I ask.
“I didn’t like it. I didn’t want you looking at anyone else like that.”
My answering grin is feral. “I love it when you’re possessive.” I reel her closer, wrapping my arm around her waist and whispering in her ear. “You can complain about my primitive Fae nature, but deep down, you’re exactly the same.” She gives me an annoyed look that never fails to stir something inside of me. “And you never have to worry about me looking at anyone else like that ever again. There is only you.”
We arrive at the seating area, and I place the wine on a small side table before I sit down and draw her onto my lap.
“I know,” she whispers as she wraps her arms around my neck. “There’s only you too.”
Those words. The way she feels against me. The way she smells. My eyes close, and I exhale a drawn-out breath. I’ve waited for this for so long. I don’t just feel for her, I feel everything when I’m with her. Every bit of joy and sorrow. Every laugh and tear I’ve ever shed. I think of all the things I want us to experience together, and I pray we’ll get that chance.
“Where did you go?” she asks, stirring me from my thoughts.
“Just thinking about the future,” I say, and she gives me a sad smile.
“Pour us some wine.” I hand her a glass just as the lights dim above and the crowd mutes to an excited hush.
Lor twists so she’s facing the stage, and I love that she stays on my lap, not that I’d let her move if she tried.
A moment later, two High Fae, a male and female, walk onto the stage. They’ve dispensed with any pretense of clothing and are already nude and stripped of pretty much every bit of hair on their bodies. They’re both specimens of magnificent perfection, obviously chosen for this purpose to excite and inspire every savage feeling and emotion.
The man brings out a long silken cord and then proceeds to wrap it around the woman’s body in a series of complex knots and twists, highlighting her breasts and ass. A hook descends from the ceiling, and he hoists her up, attaching her to it before he hikes up her knees, wrapping more cords around them so she’s spread open like a dragonfly snared in a spider’s web. Slowly, she starts to spin.
“What do you think?” I ask, sliding my hand up Lor’s back and whispering in her ear. I don’t miss how she shivers at my touch, and my gods, that is the greatest feeling I could have ever imagined. I can’t believe this incredible woman is mine.
“It’s interesting,” she says, leaning to whisper in my ear. She cocks her head, studying the performers as if trying to determine if this excites or scares her.
“Maybe we should take them up on the offer of that room,” I say, and she tips a smile. We have important things to do, but I just want to touch and be with her. I want time to explore this momentous thing we’re becoming without distractions.
I tamp down the fear that we may never get that. That my father and Atlas are after her. That everyone seems to want something from Lor, and I live with the terror that I won’t be able to protect her.
“Maybe,” she whispers, and I’m about to say fuck it. Who cares about responsibilities right now? But then, a figure stands over us.
It’s the same hostess who delivered our message to Cloris.
“Madame Payne is ready to see you now,” she says. “Please follow me.”