Page 63 of Wingless Crow: Part 1

“What can I do for you to teach me?”

I considered Dove my friend. But I’d also learned that at King Tiane’s court everything had its price and favors were a hot commodity. No one did something for nothing.

She adjusted a butterfly brooch on her lilac dress. “Oh, I’d make a poor teacher, sweetie. I really don’t like this game, and I’m not that good at it. To be honest, I only play because I want to be invited, and I never last past the first round.”

“That’s the reason I have to know how to play that game, Dove. I need to beinvited,too.”

“Why?” She cocked her head with a flash of curiosity in her violet eyes.

I exhaled slowly before confessing, “To spend more time with the king.”

“Do you love him?”

“No.”

That was easy. I didn’t need to search my heart to answer that. My feelings for King Tiane had nothing to do with love. The most I counted for was lust and, hopefully, a lasting friendship after that.

“Good.” She seemed relieved. “The last thing you want is to have your heart involved. Especially with the king.”

“He doesn’t fall in love?”

“Why would he? When there is so much fun to be had otherwise?”

I was fine with that. It was best not to expect the king’s love or even his fidelity. After all, I was technically the other woman in his marriage. And it was safe to assume there would be more.

Deep inside, maybe I would wish to find someone who would genuinely care about me, be mine in every way, and love me like Kanbor loved Brebie. But I knew it could never happen in Elaros, and never with a highborn of the court. Here, games were the norm, and playing around could only be stopped by the magical bond that remained unattainable for most.

Sex was the most I could ever hope to get from the king, with possibly some residual affection that would compel him to keep me around.

“Do you know who King Tiane is sleeping with now?” I asked.

Her snow-white eyebrows slid up her dark forehead.

“You should know that better than me, Sparrow. You’re the king’s favorite. So, I assume it’s you who warms his bed when he’s in the palace.”

I spun my tiny porcelain teacup on its saucer.

“Well, that’s the thing. I haven’t even seen his bed yet.”

Since everyone had been telling me about the king’s frivolous ways, I found it hard to believe he’d be staying celibate all this time.

“The king hasn’t touched me,” I confessed.

Dove shook her head, her angelic locks bouncing. “Nonsense. I’ve seen him touch you with my own eyes. He can’t keep his hands off you.”

“Right. In public. But he never gives us a chance to be alone. It never went past what you’ve seen.” I fidgeted with the teacup before continuing. “Libelle was his favorite for three months. Do you know if they had sex?”

“Of course they did.” She sounded almost offended that I would assume otherwise.

“Of course,” I echoed. “It must be just me, then. Do you think he might see me as a pet more than a lover?”

The royal hag, an old woman wrapped in a dark cloak, had inspected me on Queen Pavline’s orders and deemed me ready to “receive the king’s seed.” Only the king was in no hurry to make the deposit.

King Tiane didn’t make me burn with desire the way Voron did. But the king was the one whom I was supposed to be with. His lack of interest concerned me.

“I’m afraid he’ll grow bored with me and will send me away to the menagerie.”

“Oh, sweetie.” Empathy floated in Dove’s eyes. She leaned closer, covering my hand with hers. “The king likes you very much. There is no one else like you in the entire kingdom. But he also likes a good game. He probably is just postponing it, for it to last longer. It must be a delayed gratification thing for him.”

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