Page 62 of Wingless Crow: Part 1

“Greetings, High General,” I finally found my voice.

I swept my tongue over my dry lips, forcing my eyes off his forearm.

My body buzzed with awareness in his presence. Heat pulsed through my chest, flushing my face and…pooling low in my belly.

I hadn’t touched myself since I came to Elaros. I didn’t know whether I used to do that in my past, but I knew masturbation existed. I knew it’d be a way to relieve the throbbing ache between my legs. And I knew I’d have the images of Voron’s naked forearm and the sliver of his bare chest on my mind if I came on my hand tonight.

How pathetic was that? The man hadn’t touched me, hadn’t kissed me. He’d made it clear he had no intentions of ever doing either. And his body was the only one I fantasized about, lovingly cataloging in my mind every part of him he’d ever exposed.

I jerked my head, trying to shake off the inappropriate thoughts along with the highly inconvenient desire.

Cocking a hip, I lifted my chin defiantly.

“Fancy to find you in the kitchen, my lord.” The snappy tone did wonders to calm my nerves and cool the stupid lust. “I see the duties of the High General also include supervision of food preparation.”

A corner of his mouth lifted in a most charming half-smile. He ran his gaze over my face as if reacquainting himself with my features.

“Among other things,” he replied. “The question is, what areyoudoing here?”

I straightened my spine, flicking my gaze across the spacious kitchen. The activity never stopped here. People continued to clean, peel, and chop. Few paid any attention to us.

Still, I leaned closer and said quietly, only for him to hear, “I’m just trying to find a way to exist, Voron. A way that doesn’t involve moaning and screaming any man’s name.”

* * *

“Ican’t wait for the court to return to Elaros.” Dove pouted, setting her teacup on her saucer with a loud clink. “It’s so boring here without the king and his parties.”

I took a sip of the flavorful concoction of steeped tea, doe cream, and imported lily honey with fragrant petals of jasmine floating on the surface.

Unlike Dove, I was enjoying the peace and quiet of the past few days. Between my interactions with Alacine and Brebie and the afternoon tea with Dove, I didn’t feel lonely. These few days had given me a chance to recharge and get ready to face the king again soon.

“You should’ve gone hunting, too,” I said, setting my cup down.

Dove’s suite in Elaros reminded me of my room with the explosion of whites and pinks. Only hers was much bigger. The silk upholstery on the furniture with carved gilded frames looked like it came straight from Princess Barbie’s playhouse. The air smelled like candy and rose petals. Her suite was like a small world on its own, and I enjoyed coming here. Chatting with Dove helped get my mind off things.

She curved her lips in distaste.

“Hunting is gross.” She leaned closer, as if sharing a secret. “There’s dirt in the woods. And leaves. Pine needles and twigs get stuck in my feathers and hair when I fly through the trees. And bugs…” She shuddered. “I’d have to spend a week soaking in a tub to get all of that mess out.”

“Libelle doesn’t mind it. She went,” I pointed out.

“Libelle doesn’t have a choice. Her husband is an avid hunter. That’s the pain of being bonded—you have to do everything together or be miserable away from each other.” She picked up a tiny pastry from the three-tiered tray tower on the table between us and took a bite. “A few more days before King Tiane is back and life finally returns to normal. Balls, dinner parties, dancing, games…” She tilted her face up with a dreamy expression.

“What games does the king like to play?” I asked casually.

“Oh, there are so many. Some are naughtier than others.” She hid a giggle behind her hand.

“Which one is the War of Kings?” I recalled the name the king had mentioned.

Dove’s expression fell.

“Oh, that’s a boring one. Everyone keeps their clothes on and just moves figurines on a wooden table.”

“Like a board game, then?”

“Yes.” She waved at me, faking a yawn. “Many, many boards. And even more figurines.”

I shifted to the end of my chair.

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