A City of Whispers

They’re surrounding us,” he grunted against my neck. “But they won’t go near your fire. Thanks for that, by the way. You’re not the most subtle when it comes to magic, so I knew it had to be you.

That’s not going to work.” It was Andel who spoke, so close to my ear that I jumped. For a moment, I thought he was replying to my thoughts, but then I opened my eyes and saw my dress flickering to life at their proximity. “Take it off,” Helki grumbled. “Here I was thinking our new agreement had somehow reformed you five, but no, here I am getting naked again.

Andel hasn’t been there in weeks. Is he dead?” I scoffed. “More alive than ever. They disappear during the day, but will never let me sleep alone.” “In case you have a sudden head trauma and accidentally decide you like one of them more than the others?

You’re lucky Vale didn’t make you strip completely. You can choose that option, if you prefer. It wouldn’t be the first time.” I grew still, searching his face. He was focussing on his task, his fingers making quick work of my laces. He was talking about my bath with Vale. “How do you know that wasn’t a completely organic moment of genuine friendship?” I uttered dryly. “Just two people, bonding over hygiene

Smart girl,” Andel muttered, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw their shapes disappear. Instead of relaxing, the tension along my spine tightened further. Vale stood, and I caught the briefest impression of a tall, broad form packed tightly with the kind of muscle hard-won through fighting. There were thin, fading scars peppered over his thighs and stomach. I tried to look away but ended up staring straight at the length of him, half-raised and thick between his legs. “Don’t read into it.” He stepped out of the bath, reaching for a towel to dry himself. “It has nothing to do with you.” “Manipulating people actually makes you hard?

It is customary that no man cross the bridge to the tower of the betrothed, except your betrothed himself,” Christian explained. Sig coughed, a few words escaping that sounded suspiciously like “which one?

You made a deal, Tempest.” It was Vidrol’s silky voice that spoke, edged in dark warning. “I agreed to be your wife.” I swallowed around the words, hating the way they burned angrily through my mouth. “I never promised to only marry you.” “You can’t—" "Of course I can,” I snapped back. “How many women are in your harem? A hundred? More? There are no laws against taking five husbands in Fyrio.

All of you. Why are you … being …” I struggled for the right word. “Nice?” “We’re courting you,” Andel said, like it was obvious, even though he was sitting there doing nothing. I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help myself. It bubbled through me in a wave of hysteria, persisting until my throat was raw. “You’ve blinded me,” I said, still chuckling, though I no longer sounded amused. “You’re dragging me, blind, through unforgivable terrain. You’re only allowing me one small meal a day. You ignore me most of the time, insult me the rest of the time, and threaten to kill me every now and then just for good measure. You lead me around by a chain like a dog. This isn’t courting. This is enslavement.

You can’t dance for shit.” He dragged me along, his footing exact, his scowl growing. “You can’t converse for shit,

I could have had her right there, in front of everyone. She would have welcomed it.” “But you didn’t.” “It wouldn’t have been fair.” “To who?” My voice was tight with confusion. “Her. I wouldn’t be thinking about her.” “What would you be thinking about?” He groaned, his eyes closing momentarily. He breathed deeply, his exhale carrying another rough sound. “Not what. Who.

I could stay like this forever,” I murmured. “We could find solutions for the Darkness. I could remain the final shield. If it can’t ever find me, it can’t ever destroy me. There will always be one final barrier to break down. Maybe it could be enough. You could have a life and I won’t even notice. Have babies. Have sex. Fall in love.” “In that order?

Alright, enough chest thumping, you two. Put the girl down, Helki. We get it; you’re both big and strong. Well, I mean, you’re both strong, at least. Sorry,” he said to me. “You’ll get there, darling