Chapter 15 #2
Tobias nearly objected to Her leaving, but She’d already closed the door by the time he opened his mouth. Clinging the sheet to his waist, he looked to Sabine. “Is something going on?”
“She’s fine.”
“We’re at a war. Her life’s in danger. My sole purpose here is to protect Her—”
“Ladon requested to steal Her away for a moment,” Sabine said. “He has questions about Her magic, and blessings, and . . . hair.” She offered a sympathetic smile. “I didn’t mean to concern you. He just really loves Her hair.”
Letting out a long breath, Tobias kneaded his forehead. “Apologies. I’ve been on edge.”
Sabine didn’t respond—didn’t do anything, in fact, still standing beside the doorway, arms crossed and eyes on Tobias. He shifted uncomfortably. “Was there anything else?”
“You and The Savior are promised.”
“Obviously, yes.”
“And things between you seem quite steamy.”
Tobias raised an eyebrow. “Did you have a question?”
“I have hundreds, actually.” Sabine pulled up a chair and took a seat. “And seeing as I’ve bestowed upon you this immense favor, it seems only fair you answer.”
“I’m not sure that would be appropriate.”
“The Savior is a divine being who glows,” Sabine continued, undeterred. “And all She touches glows.”
“All She blesses glows. It’s very different.”
“But I heard you had glowing handprints across your body during the Culmination.”
Tobias sighed. “That’s—”
“And I heard the glow of your cock shone straight through your pants.”
“What? Wait, no—”
“So, I can’t help but wonder, is every touch She gives a blessing?” Sabine rested her chin on her fist, looking deep in thought. “Or are you just perpetually blessed because you’re Her beloved? How does She discern who should glow and who shouldn’t?”
“My cock didn’t glow.” Tobias thought back to the Culmination. “At least, I don’t think it did? Regardless—”
“Does it have to be a touch from Her hands, or can it be from”—Sabine’s sly smirk returned—“other places?”
Heat rose up Tobias’s neck. “That’s enough.”
“And if Her touch glows, it must produce light, and light is inherently warm. Does that mean Her cunt is particularly warm? At least more so than the norm. Smoldering, even. I understand it’s an odd question, but when you’re between shifts, the mind wanders—”
“I don’t know!” Tobias spat. “Please, stop asking. Her body is none of your concern.”
The room fell quiet. The flush of Tobias’s face deepened, and he was even more aware of his nakedness. He shifted the sheet around his waist while Sabine’s gaze turned thoughtful and probing.
“Apologies,” she said. “I was just trying to get a rise out of you. Payback for the hell you caused me. Isa hasn’t let me hear the end of it since you arrived.”
“All right.” But still Sabine didn’t move, and her eyes seemed to penetrate straight through Tobias’s skull. “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.
“Have the two of you consummated your relationship?”
Tobias groaned, raking a hand through his hair. “God—”
“Have you ever consummated any relationship?”
“I’m not doing this.”
“I mean no harm,” she said. “It’s just, in my line of work, there are signs.”
“Can I at least dress?”
Sabine stood, turning to face the door. Tobias skittered out of bed, digging through his things before pulling out fresh clothes.
“It’s not as though I have no experience.” He threaded his legs through his pants. “I’ve done things. We’ve done things.”
“I gathered as much. You two were naked just moments ago, after all.”
As he adjusted his tunic, Sabine turned around, the look in her eyes far less invasive. “I’m sorry. I’ve approached this all poorly. I never meant to insult your prowess. I was merely surprised, is all. You’re very handsome, and typically handsome men . . . well, they know it.”
“So, that means I’m a bastard, fucking every open hole that comes my way.”
“You don’t have to be a bastard to fuck. You just have to want to fuck.”
“It’s not as though I don’t think about it.”
Sabine raised her eyebrows. “But?”
Grunting, Tobias sat upright. “My father died when I was barely grown, and the very accident that killed him crippled my sister.” His own words shook him.
Somehow, even years after the incident, it was still a struggle to recount.
“I left everything I’d worked for to care for my family.
I wasn’t worried about my cock. I was worried about whether my mother and sister would have food to eat the following day. Whether I could afford their tonics.”
He threw his hands up. “And really, how many women do you think are waiting in the sugarcane fields with their legs spread wide? Because that’s where I spent my days.
And even if I hadn’t . . .” His gaze wandered, as did his preoccupied thoughts.
“I just want it to be right. I had a vision in my mind. Someone who made me feel . . . I don’t know.
Liberated. Someone I wanted to explore in body and mind. Someone like Leila.”
Sabine let out a melodic laugh, and Tobias frowned. “Now you’re laughing at me.”
“I’m not. I’m charmed.” Her laughter died, leaving behind a smile. “You’re a romantic.”
“I suppose I am.”
“It’s rare,” she said. “Not that any other inclination is better than the next, but still, it’s lovely to see. Our Savior chose wisely indeed.”
“I just want Her to feel special.”
“And She will, I’m sure of it.” Something mischievous sparkled in her gaze. “But you want Her to feel good too, yes?”
“I haven’t had any issue with that.”
“I’d assume nothing less. Then again, the fingers and tongue are much easier to wield than the sword.”
Tobias snorted, then froze when Sabine said nothing. “You’re serious.”
“Absolutely.”
“I always thought—”
“Fucking was easier?” she said. “You heard that from men, didn’t you?”
Dammit. His face was hot again. How his pride had gone from immense to nonexistent in a single morning was truly a feat. Women were especially talented at puppeteering the male ego.
Sabine pulled her chair toward the bed and leaned in close. “You know, I’m not quite sure if you’ve noticed, but this particular act of passion happens to be my profession. I can teach you how to satisfy your promised.”
Tobias bristled. “You don’t think I can satisfy Her?”
“I have no doubt that your sword is mighty and strong—”
“God—”
“But it can take quite a few attempts to satisfy a woman, and that’s with an eager student.” She shrugged. “I simply aim to better your odds. What do you think?”
It was Tobias’s turn to assess her, eyeing her over as if she might reveal at any moment she was playing him for a fool. Instead, she sat poised and dignified, smirking like she assumed he’d already made up his mind—which he had.
“I’m not going to fuck you.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s a verbal lesson. Do you want to learn the ways of the cunt or not?”
With his pride properly put to rest, he was left with a slew of other feelings to wrestle with. Excitement. Curiosity. Visions of Leila tumbled through his mind, along with possibilities, positions. He leaned forward.
“Should I write this down?”
Tobias trekked through the brothel a wiser, more capable man, the secrets of the finer sex locked tight in his mind where he’d never, not in a million years, forget them.
He wove past the staff’s wing, far from the prying gazes and potentially blabbering mouths of clientele, and into the abandoned kitchen pantry, his allies’ usual meeting spot as of late.
They had dragged a small table into its center, and though the space was cramped and meager, they were in perfect reach to nab tasty samples of decadent cakes and far-too-potent wines.
Naomi was already seated by her lonesome nibbling at a flaky pastry covered in honey.
Something in his stomach twinged at the absence of his mother.
Her presence had been scarce ever since she’d learned he deceived Isa.
He pushed the feeling aside, taking a seat next to his twin.
“Morning, my lovely sister.” He snatched up a pastry, biting into it before noting Naomi’s scathing glare. “What?”
“My chamber is right next to yours, you know.”
He burst out laughing, covering his mouth to catch the crumbs. Naomi’s glower deepened. “I’m absolutely thrilled you’re enjoying yourself, but would you mind keeping it down? I could do without the imagery.”
She smacked the pastry out of his hand, but he caught it mid-air, popping it into his mouth with a triumphant grin.
“Good morning.” Leila strode into the kitchen, Her pink cheeks and billowing cornflower dress a vision of soft regality. “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing, darling.” Tobias pulled Leila onto his lap and kissed Her cheek. “Naomi’s being sour. Ignore her.”
“I’ve received our duties for the day.” Raphael’s voice preceded him into the room, eyes tracing over the scroll in his hands.
“Yucana is to help with the cooking staff, same as always, while Naomi tends to the laundering, and I have the endlessly engrossing task of accounting. How ever did I get so lucky?” He plopped into the seat beside Tobias, tossing the parchment onto the table and grabbing a pastry.
As he chewed on his treat, he eyed Leila sidelong.
“You seem in good spirits. I take it Your meeting with the holder went well?”
Leila’s gaze dropped. “They were—”
“The palace staff will be here in three days’ time,” Tobias said.
“Really?” Naomi’s eyes widened. “The holder agreed?”
Leila opened Her mouth to speak but Tobias interjected. “They’re preparing the rooms as we speak. Isa wasn’t easily swayed, but Leila can be quite persuasive.”
Naomi exhaled and leaned back in her seat. “Well, that’s a relief. One less thing to worry about.”
“Exactly.” Tobias looked Leila hard in the eyes. “One less worry. Because Your family will be safe by any means necessary.”
He took Her hand beneath the table, and Leila hesitated before offering a slight nod.