Page 16 of Aria's Desire

“Then it’s settled. We go. Yes?”

All of her men nodded or voiced their agreement.

“Let’s make a plan.”

Chapter 10

Aria was surprised when Tirox immediately suggested she arrive at the Queendom of Aehri with Rellik and Thrasin only… with them posing as her harem. She wasn’t the only one who gave him a startled look. Rellik and Sin both gave him wide eyes. The only one who didn’t look surprised was Kix. Instead, her firefly was nodding in agreement.

“And where will you and Kix be?” she asked, frowning at them both, confused.

Tirox gave her a deadly look, one that never failed to quicken her pulse. “Ensuring she does not hold black intentions. We will sneak in, invisible, and see what she hides while she has you occupied.”

Kix added, “It should not take more than a day, possibly two, depending on the vastness of her empire. Should it be needed, we will also bring disguise collars.” He gave her a pointed look. “As the demon says, if she plans to hide nefarious intent, she would do so while she believes she has you and your mates occupied.”

Mentally skimming over him calling Rellik and Sin her mates, she considered it. It was a damn good idea, but…

“Rellik told us the more powerful the female, the more mates she has. Cultural differences aside, she’ll likely question why I only have two.”

Tirox did that half shrug half shiver. “Simply tell her we are delayed here, taking care of something or other. That you trust us to act independent of you will be a display of your power, of the loyalty you evoke, and your superior selection of capable mates. As her own are seen as little more than breeders and pleasurers, by Rellik’s own words, I believe she will find this especially impressive.”

Brows raised, she smiled at him, equally proud of and aroused by his sharp mind. “I findyouespecially impressive, you devious genius.”

Tirox just smirked and winked at her.

Grinning, she shook her head. “Cocky demon.”

“Mm, one of the things you love most about me.” He got a wicked glint in his golden eyes. “That and my huge coc—”

She cut him off with a strangled, “Tirox!”

Masculine chuckles sounded from all four of them, telling her they all knew damn well what he was about to say.

That he could make her blush after all the shit she’d seen and done was a special skill of his and he knew it, the dick.

He was right, though.

Shaking her head, she gave him a look. “Finish telling me your plan.”

Becoming serious again, or mostly so, Tirox continued with a shrug-shiver, “Fly in with Rellik on Sin. Be glorious. Make them fall in love with you. Construct an alliance between your Queendoms. Finish taking over the world. Simple.”

Sin smirked at Tirox, but it disappeared when he looked at her and added, “We should have a squad hiding nearby, to call in if needs be. They can fly in on a runner under cover of night and post in the mountains.”

After a bit more planning, plotting, and questioning Rellik as to what they could expect, Aria called in Spar and her team.

Spar walked in first, followed by her team of spies: Lor, the golden-skinnedLusalianmale who always wore a smile, Hasson, the bronze-skinnedLusarianmale with massive black-feathered wings, and Arek, anAtzarianmale who Aria was fairly positive had serial killer tendencies. Thankfully, he’d taken their…talkto heart that he wasn’t allowed to play in the complex. He saved his murderousness for those who’d earned it. She had Spar making sure of that.

Spar waggled her brows and purred, “Call me in to try and convince me I should chase your luscious ass after all?”

Snorting, Aria bit back a smile while Tirox, Sin, and Rellik all stiffened and sent the blonde woman warning looks. Kix was the only one who shared her amusement. It quickly changed to a grimace, likely because he was picking up Arek’s thoughts, but that it had been there at all was encouraging.

“No, you weirdo. Sit. I’ve got a mission for you.”

“Ugh, fine, you dirty tease!”

Aria filled them in on the emissary, the plan to visit the Gaiaeshi Queendom in the hopes of forming an alliance, in addition to everything she and Sin had seen at the arena they’d scouted.

Spar leaned back in her chair and nodded then shrugged. “Sounds easy enough. How long you think you’ll be gone?”

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