Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bantar and his friends wore expressions similar to those I'd seen on survivors of a landslide—shocked, confused, and glad to be alive.
Jucai was standing behind his table, one arm extended toward Bantar as he explained why he had given the slavethe exalted position of royal guest. The Sea Dragons looked shocked themselves, wide eyes darting to me, then Bantar, and then the Sea King.
“There has been an assassin in our midst!” Jucai went on. “Someone is trying to harm our dread, and I intend to find them. I have already increased security in the palace and in our city. But I need you to be vigilant. A coward who sneaks through the shadows can kill anyone, even a Sea Dragon.”
Sea Dragons whispered to each other, their expressions shifting to worry.
Most Dragons were unaccustomed to the emotion, and it looked as if it were the same for Sea Dragons.
They simply couldn't fathom how someone weaker could kill them.
I used to think the same. Not anymore. I'd experienced firsthand what a surprise attack could accomplish.
Without Daha's warning and Bantar's help, the assassin would have succeeded.
I looked over at the Kaikeyo man, who was coming out of his shock.
He noticed me watching him and nodded. There was something in the way he moved that made him seem like another man.
Maybe it was his new position in court that gave him confidence.
I was glad he'd accepted the King's gift. It was the least he deserved.
Thinking back, I remembered more of the attack.
As I'd been losing consciousness, I had seen Bantar defend me.
There was something odd about the attacker.
What was it? There was something hanging from a chain around his neck—some kind of boxy amulet.
But it was more than that. I couldn't picture anything more.
Just that red fish. Shaking my head, I let it go.
Things come easier when you don't dwell on them.
Returning my attention to the sea court, I waited for an outburst. Some kind of protest. None came.
To my surprise, they warmly accepted the freed Kaikeyos.
A Sea Dragon sitting next to Bantar leaned over to shake Bantar's hand.
Bantar took it all with an expression so shocked it almost looked horrified.
As Jucai returned to his seat, a wave of pleasure washed through me.
Not because of him, although I was delighted to have him beside me.
No, it was his people. The undersea dread had fascinated and then appalled me.
Now, my fascination had abated, and I no longer judged them so harshly.
These were good people. They were just really fucking horny.
I chuckled softly as I came to that conclusion.
“What are you laughing at?” Jucai leaned in, as if he wanted to share my amusement.
“Myself.” I kissed his cheek. “All my years of training failed me when I was confronted with you and your court. I assumed things I shouldn't have, judged you unfairly, and saw all of you as strange, civilized savages. All I wanted to do was enjoy you for a while and leave.”
Jucai's expression fell into sober lines. “And now?”
“And now I see that you're a warm, welcoming, and caring group of people who look after the other inhabitants of your kingdom with admirable ferocity. Your kingdom can be brutal, but you've carved a haven of beauty and safety amidst it all.”
Jucai's expression transformed again, this time into something so tender that were he someone I'd known for years, I'd think he was in love with me. With mated Dragons, if they weren't in love before the mating, they fell quickly afterwards. Jucai gazed upon me as a mated Dragon would.
Maybe it was magical residue, but I hoped it wasn't. I hoped Jucai was falling in love with me without the aid of magic.
Not that love born of mating magic wasn't real.
It came not because of the magic but because of what the magic enabled—a look into each other's souls.
Jucai and I had only glimpsed each other.
Was that glimpse enough to draw us into love?
If we were already halfway there, perhaps it was. The big question was—did I love him?
“Nadar?” Jucai squeezed my hand.
I blinked. “Yes?”
“You still haven't explained why you laughed.”
“Because a thought came to me that you weren't the wicked slave owners I believed you to be, just really fucking horny.”
Jucai burst out laughing. “Indeed, we are. I'm sorry it bothers you.”
“I'll get used to it.”
The Sea King lost his cheerful expression. “I want you to be comfortable here, Nadar. This will be your home.”
“I will be comfortable. It will just take some—”
A cry of delight interrupted me, and I looked down to see that a Sea Dragon man had pulled a Leeya woman onto his lap and had his hand up her skirt.
As soon as he had her underwear removed, he moved her so that she straddled his lap.
I winced as she rode him. Would I ever be comfortable with this?
It was fun for a few nights, but to live like this?
Then I saw Bantar. He was watching the couple with a wincing expression. Once again, I wondered if it was all a lie the Sea Dragons told themselves. Did these people truly volunteer for this with eagerness to serve? Or did they volunteer to save their friends and family from this fate?
Bantar caught me watching him and immediately changed his expression to one of amusement. He grinned and inclined his head. I returned the greeting. But I also promised myself that I would speak to Bantar later, away from Sea Dragons.
The image of him fighting off my attacker came to me again. Something was off. I still couldn't figure it out. What was it about my attacker that made me uneasy?
“Nadar?”
I focused on Jucai. “Yes?”
“We can dine in the royal apartments if this makes you uncomfortable.”
It was a considerate offer. So, why did it make my stomach turn? What did I expect? That our almost-mating would change Jucai so much that he'd turn his court upside down for me?
“No, I'm fine,” I said.
Jucai stood up and held a hand out to me.
“I'm really fine, Jucai.”
“Take my hand, Nadar.”
I took his hand, and he helped me to my feet.
The courtiers paused in their activities to incline their heads to Jucai as we passed by.
I kept my gaze forward, especially when we rounded the curve and passed through the lounging area.
Jucai's hand tightened around mine, and I looked over to find him watching me.
Once we were outside, he stopped a slave and ordered that breakfast for two be brought to his garden. The further we got from the dining hall, the more my shoulders relaxed.
“I can't ask too much of them,” Jucai said.
“Too much from whom?”
“My dread.” He motioned us down a corridor.
I stiffened. “I didn't ask you to ask them anything.”
“You shouldn't have to ask.” Jucai led me out into the garden. “Which is why I'm explaining why I can't.”
The city towers shone their fake sunlight over Kansu.
Beyond the halo of their light, the sea was dark, almost like a night sky.
Night beyond the reach of day. It was strange and a little scary.
As if my world had shrunk to the planet of Kansu, floating in the stars.
I had to look away and focus on the garden.
We walked the paths between an array of flowers, from tiny to massive.
They perfumed the air with the scent of the surface.
We rounded a corner and stopped before a stone bench hidden from the city by dangling wisteria.
As we sat down, Jucai said, “After seeing your court, I remembered how mine used to be.” He slid our clasped hands onto his lap.
“Once, we were more proper than you Land Dragons are. When we wanted a bed slave, we seduced them. There was romance here. Excitement.” He looked at me.
“We've lost that. You helped me remember how good it could be.
But they're not ready. I can't ask them to change when it's so hard for them, but easy for me.”
“It's easy for you?” Although my body went still, my heart raced.
“I don't want anyone but you, and I don't want to share any part of you. So, I won't indulge in public. Simple. Easy. It won't be the same for them.”
“I see,” I whispered.
Jucai lifted my hand to kiss it. “I want you to be happy here, but I can't punish my people to make you comfortable. That would be a betrayal of their trust.”
“I understand. It's all right.”
“It's not. When we mate, this will become your home, and they will become your dread. You deserve to be happy here. I want you to be happy here.”
When we mate. Not if we mate. Again with the certainty.
It seemed that with every passing hour, his confidence in us grew.
The opposite seemed true for me. I wanted him now.
I wanted him so much that I was terrified of losing him.
Fear did not inspire confidence. And so, when Jucai spoke as if our mating was a foregone conclusion, I cringed.
It felt like taunting the Gods, daring them to tear us apart.
It's so much easier when you don't care.
“They're good people, Nadar.”
“I know they are. I said as much ten minutes ago.”
“You said it, but I don't think you are certain of it. You know stories of our heroism, and you've had some pleasant interactions with my court, but you haven't seen their goodness. So, I'm asking that you believe me when I say they're good people. They just need a little more time.”
“It's your court, Jucai. You know better than I what they need. And I'll be all right. I'm a lusty guy myself. If I look at it as if I get a sex show with my dinner, it'll be easier.”
Jucai frowned. “Dear Gods, I don't even like the thought of you watching others copulate.”
“First, you attack your cousin for seeing me naked, and now you don't want me to see others have sex? My, how you've changed, Your Majesty.”
“I have indeed. Five days ago, I would have been proud to hear Shojan compliment your body because you were my lover.
So, a compliment to you was a compliment to my prowess.
Now that seems foolish. Why would I share your beauty with anyone just for a meaningless compliment?
You're mine, and that means only I have the right to look upon your naked body.”
I chuckled. “I believe I was the one who said that first.”
Jucai grinned. “Yes, but now I understand it.”
“So, if you don't want anyone else, you don't need your harems.”
“Oh?” His lips twitched.
“Jucai!”
Jucai burst out laughing. “I will dismiss them.”
“All of them?”
“Of course.” He leaned in to kiss me.
“Your Majesty?” A Gashi man led a group of slaves through the garden. They brought trays of food and a table for us to dine on.
Jucai kissed my cheek and then motioned at the space before us. “Thank you. Right here would be perfect.”
The men set the table before us, and then a few women laid out platters of food, glasses of water, plates, and utensils. One of them even laid out a bowl of water and towels for us to wash our hands. Then they bowed and left.
“This is nice.” I leaned in to smell the food. I'd miss Zaruian cuisine, but Jucai's chefs were talented too.
“Allow me.” Jucai scooped servings from each dish onto my plate.
“This feels like a date.”
“A date?” He paused while filling his plate. “I can't recall the last time I courted anyone.”
“I suppose it's unnecessary with me. I'm already won.”
Jucai went still, his eyes glittering in the partial shade. “If only that were true.”
“You're the one who's so certain we'll be mated,” I teased.
“That is my hope speaking. I don't know what will happen, Nadar.” He turned toward me. “But you'll stay either way, right? You said you would.”
I leaned in and kissed him—just a graze of my lips over his. Then I spoke against his mouth, “Yes, I'll stay. Even if your courtiers never give up their licentious ways.”
I leaned back to find him watching me with eyes full of relief.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“Perhaps I agreed too readily,” I teased. “Does this mean you won’t be courting me?”
Jucai smirked. “Our relationship is still very new, my diplomat. I think you'll need much courting, even after we're mated.”
“I agree.” Then I added, “You know that fucking isn't courting, right?”
The Sea King burst into laughter.