Consort (Beyond Ontariese 6) (9 page)

His gaze drifted down to her mouth and
heat blossomed across her cheeks, but she was saved from commenting
by the first course. She tried to relax and enjoy the experience,
but the continual flow of servers kept the conversation light and
superficial. It was the same discussion they’d had countless times
before. He asked about Betaul’s progress and she asked about his
latest negotiations and the extensive renovations underway in the
oldest section of the palace. There were so many things she wanted
to ask him, so many things she wanted to say, but the subjects were
too personal to broach with an audience.

“
Is the food not to your
liking? You’ve hardly touched any of it.” He folded his napkin and
placed it beside his plate.

“
It’s not a reflection on
the skill of your chief. I’m just not very hungry.”

After telling the head server to hold
dessert, he pushed back from the table and stood. He crossed the
room with long, sure strides, each movement emanating power. “Let’s
go for a walk in the courtyard. It’s lovely at night.” The golden
strands in his hair shimmered and his gaze moved over her
face.

He scooted her chair back and took her
hand as they left the dining room. “Did Terez keep your staff in
line? The result is stunning, but I wanted you to feel comfortable,
not overwhelmed.”

“
Palace life is definitely
different from what I’m used to, but Terez was a big help.” They
reached the end of one corridor and started down another. Thick
carpet runners cushioned their steps and staff members
automatically stepped aside, allowing them to pass. Indric didn’t
seem to notice the show of deference, but it made her feel odd. Had
his accomplishments earned this sort of esteem or was it nothing
more than an accident of birth?

They entered a common area, much
smaller than the lobby yet no less impressive. Myriad stars
twinkled in a velvety sky visible through the transparent dome.
Padded benches and chairs were arranged in artful groupings, but
Indric led her to a communication kiosk built into one of the
marble walls.

He stepped in front of the transceiver
and said, “Page Ametto.”

After a short pause, Ametto’s image
formed in front of them, one-fourth his actual size. “Is there a
problem, Sire?”

“
Not at all. Cinarra would
like to say good night to Betaul.” He stepped to the side and
motioned her to his previous position.

Ametto turned to his right and told
Betaul to join him. The boy bounded into sight and grinned at
Cinarra. “Dravon wasn’t lying, Mom. They have horses, honest to the
gods horses. And they aren’t even cloned or anything.”

Mom. Each time Betaul used the term it
was a bittersweet reminder of all the secrets he had yet to learn.
She hated lying to him, but admitting the truth, even to Betaul,
increased the chances of discovery. “Did they let you ride
one?”

“
Not yet, but I helped
brush him and fed him a treat. The trainer said I could ride one
tomorrow if it’s all right with you.”

“
How is your hand? Are you
feeling especially tired?”

“
There is too much to do to
be tired.” The boy laughed. “First thing in the morning we’re going
swimming.” His green gaze shifted to Indric and he said, “Thank you
for bringing us here. Your palace is so twisted.”

Before Cinarra could say any more,
Betaul darted out of range.

“
I’ll make sure he has a
full night’s rest before I allow him near the pool,” Ametto assured
her. “As for horseback riding, the trainer insists he has a mare so
docile there will be no danger.”

“
Thank you, Ametto. You’re
a blessing, as always.”

He bowed to her and then the holocom
blinked off.

“
Feel better?” A teasing
quality came into Indric’s tone and he pressed his hand against the
small of her back. “Your cub is well protected and enjoying
himself. Now will you relax and do the same?”

“
I’m not much of a swimmer
and horseback riding might be tricky in this dress.”

“
Clothes are always
optional.” He chuckled and took her hand, intertwining their
fingers.

She didn’t sense a telepathic signal,
but Indric’s guards backed off as he took her out into the
courtyard. A balmy night wind caressed her skin, a light floral
scent drifted in the air, and they were finally alone.

“
I can see this from my
balcony.” She had so many things she wanted to say, she wasn’t even
sure where to start.

His warm hands settled on her bare
shoulders and he shifted her half a turn to the right. “That’s your
room.” He pointed to the balcony on the top floor, nestled in the
corner of the open area. His other arm slipped around her waist and
he pulled her back into the heat of his body. “And that,” he
pointed to the next balcony over, “is mine.”

Awareness enfolded her, awakening her
senses and agitating her emotions. She could feel the press of his
chest against her back and the weight of his arm against her
middle. “Are the rooms connected?”

“
They are, but it shouldn’t
worry you. I will never enter unless I’m invited.”

Besides, someone who could teleport
didn’t need a connecting door. His breath teased her skin half a
second before his lips brushed her shoulder. Tingles spiraled down
her arm and into her chest, drawing her nipples into tight peaks.
She eased out of his embrace then turned to face him.

“
We should talk before this
goes any further.”

He tensed, obviously disappointed by
her retreat, then nodded toward the stone bench farther down the
path.

She walked to the bench and sat,
smoothing her skirt down over her thighs. They’d been alone
together hundreds of times, but everything was different now. She
felt anxious and restless, almost hyperaware of his slightest
movement.

He sat beside her and reached for her
hand, but she moved it just out of reach. “I can’t think straight
when you touch me.”

“
Good to know.”
His smile was gentle and he made no other move to touch her.
“You’ve had some time to process the shock, so tell me what you’re
thinking
.”

Indric had promised himself he’d go
slowly, give Cinarra plenty of time to adjust to the change in
their relationship. There was so much pain and uncertainty in her
past. The last thing he wanted was to frighten or pressure her. So
why was the need to touch her so damn hard to control? He wanted
her in his arms, sharing his breath as he learned her taste and
texture.

“
You said it’s your
intention to court me. I’m still not sure what that means. Do you
want me in your life or just your bed?” She stared up at him, her
gaze silvered by the moonlight, expressive, open yet
cautious.

“
You’re already in my life
and I definitely want you in my bed. Beyond that, I’m not sure what
I want.” He chose his words carefully, determined to be as honest
as possible. “As my mistress, you would have greater freedom and
fewer responsibilities. A mistress is only expected to bring her
king pleasure and keep him company.” Pivoting on the bench, he
searched her gaze, trying to judge her reaction to the options. “As
soon as I made you my consort, everything would change. You would
become part of the royal family, with all of the strictures and
responsibilities that entails. I’m not sure I want that for either
of us.”

She licked her lips then looked at her
hands, which were resting lightly on her lap. “What about children.
Aren’t you expected to keep trying?”

Pain and frustration tore through his
chest. One of the primary responsibilities of any king was to
produce an heir, to stabilize the region and prevent possible
conflicts over a successor. As long as he remained childless, Eagin
was a threat. And not just to Indric but to the entire region. If
Eagin asserted his claim to the throne, it would force people to
choose sides. Indric had confidence that the majority of San Adrin
would back him, but every life was precious.

Even so, he had to be realistic. “My
childless state isn’t likely to change even if I did choose another
consort. I need to explore other options.” He was glad she wasn’t
looking at him. His voice sounded far more composed than he
felt.

“
I won’t be your mistress
if you decide to take a wife.” Their gazes locked and their
surroundings dimmed. Had she just agreed to be his mistress? Desire
washed over him with slow consuming heat. He fought it back,
sensing that she had more to say. “My past is complicated, so I see
the benefits of keeping this casual. Still, I won’t share you. I’m
not wired that way.”

Her boldness made him smile. Most
women would accept whatever role he chose for them and feel honored
to share his bed for even one night. Not Cinarra. She calmly stated
her conditions as if this were a negotiation, not the start of a
romance. “When and if I choose to take a consort, you’ll be the
first to know.”

She accepted the statement with a
stiff nod, obviously not understanding his inference. She was the
only woman he had any interest in as mistress, consort or
queen.

“
All right.” Her gaze
lowered again and she asked, “How does this work? Will you come to
me or will I…”

Unable to resist touching her a moment
longer, he reached over and took her hand. She didn’t pull away
this time, but he was troubled by the tension in her fingers.
“Cinarra, look at me.” He waited until she raised her face before
he went on. “You’re here because of what happened this afternoon.
I’m no longer willing to pretend I don’t want you, but I have no
intention of ordering you to my bed.”

“
I’m not really Bilarrian,
so I wouldn’t obey you even if you did.” She didn’t return his
smile, but she began to relax. “I’ve known you for nine years and
yet I don’t really know you. You’ve always been so courteous, so
respectful.”

He chuckled and slid his hand up her
arm. “Would you prefer I be less respectful?” Curving his fingers
around the back of her neck, he leaned in and brushed her lips with
his. He started to deepen the kiss, but she shifted away, glancing
off into the distance.

“
You can have any woman you
want. Why me?”

“
Because you’re brave and
intelligent and you laugh at my jokes even though I know I’m not
funny.”

She did smile then and looked back at
him. “But you try so hard. I’ve always thought effort should be
rewarded.”

A different sort of tension pulsed
between them now, warm and electric. His smile faded and he
whispered, “You’re so damn beautiful. I ache just looking at
you.”

Her gaze clouded and an expressionless
mask fell over her features. “I should check on Betaul.” She stood
and made a beeline for the nearest exit.

Rushing after her, he managed to catch
her wrist before she escaped, but she didn’t turn around. “What did
I say? Why are you upset?”

“
I’m not upset. I’m
exhausted.” She threw a halfhearted smile over her shoulder and
pulled her wrist out of his grasp. “I’ll see you
tomorrow.”

Indric shook his head as she walked
away. She hadn’t seemed uncomfortable with his desire until he
mentioned her beauty. Did she not realize how attractive she was?
She had been basically cloistered ever since she arrived on
Bilarri. Was it possible she hadn’t had a lover in all that time?
She had a son, so she couldn’t be a virgin unless the pregnancy had
resulted from a medical procedure.

Frustrated beyond rational thought, he
returned to the bench and sent out a seeker pulse for
Drakkin.

Rather than flash into the courtyard,
Drakkin sent his image to Indric’s mind. “You’re not in bed with
Cinarra, so I’ll presume things didn’t go well.”

“
I’ve never felt clumsy
with a woman before, but she is as prickly as a Narilian quill
cat.”

Drakkin smiled. “You’ve never had to
work for it before. Every woman you’ve ever touched has known you
as royalty. They probably didn’t realize denying you was an
option.”

“
Cinarra has always known
who I am.”

“
Yes, but you’ve always
visited her house before. Today was the first time she saw
King
Indric in his
element.”

Indric rubbed his forehead with a
sigh. “I don’t want her to accept me out of fear or obligation. I
want a real relationship with her.”

“
Then you’ll have to show
her that you’re still the same person who visited her for the past
nine cycles. Let the fire smolder. Give her time to accept the
heat.”

“
That’s not how you wooed
Aria. If memory serves me, you kept her chained to your bed during
most of your turbulent courtship.”

“
That was different.”
Drakkin looked anything but apologetic. “Cinarra is not
Aria.”

“
I’m well aware of that.”
He paused, desperately fighting the tantalizing image of Cinarra
chained to his bed. He wanted her naked and writhing in pleasure,
but he wanted her willing, no, eager for his touch. “I’d like to do
something special for her, something completely
unexpected.”