Page 22 of Aria's Desire

“Sin,” Aria prompted.

Rellik moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with her to offer Sin some cover behind which to shift and dress. That was for her. Sin didn’t give a damn if people saw his cock, but she did.

She very much did.

Resisting the urge to look back and watch him change, she kept an ear on his movements and her eyes on those around them in case anyone tried to test them while he was vulnerable. She watched Ishtal as well, watched her controlled expression slip to reveal shock, awe, and more than a little avarice as Sin shrank and reformed into a man.

Taking advantage while she was caught off guard to see how she reacted, Aria commented, “That’s smart, by the way, having soldiers pretend to be regular citizens.”

Ishtal’s focus immediately zeroed in on her, her gaze becoming sharp. Instead of denying it, she thrust her head forward—the gesture starkly alien—and curled her upper lip off her teeth, baring fangs. For just a moment, Aria tensed, interpreting the move as a threat, until the pleased glint in her eyes caught her attention.

Realizing the movement was an expression of praise, or maybe admiration, she relaxed, moving her hand away from the knives strapped to her thigh.

“How delightful!” she purred happily. “You are the first to notice. How did you know?”

So, she’s tried this tactic before.

Aria offered a small smile. “No children. And they all move with a kind of… physical awareness. Like dancers… or fighters.”

She hesitated before calling out the guy who hadn’t done a great job of hiding the sword sheathed on his back, but decided to go ahead. If nothing else, he’d learn of his mistake. And she’d see how Ishtal dealt with people who displeased her.

“Also, that guy’s cloak is too tight. You can just make out the sword he’s got sheathed on his back.”

Ishtal was silent for a beat before low, husky laughter escaped her. “Oh, this is wonderful. I believe I will like you immensely.”

Aria just smiled in response, withholding judgement over whether or not the feeling was mutual. Ishtal seemed… eccentric, but a lot of that was likely due to her being alien. That she’d been honest so far was a good start. Hopefully, she stayed honest. If not… Well, they’d come prepared for just about anything.

She glanced at Sin, mostly to make sure he’d dressed, when he came to stand at her side. He had, thankfully.

Meeting her gaze, his expression soft, or as soft as it would get, he rumbled, “Twenty three on mounts just beyond the gates. Playing at nonchalance.”

You’d think he was murmuring sweet nothings from the way her pulse spiked. What did it say about her that his ability to suss out threats turned her on more than any flowery words ever could’ve?

Probably that I live on a slave planet, surrounded by enemies.

Breaking eye contact with him, she peered over her shoulder to find the saddle and packs of supplies that had been strapped to his back were now in a pile on the stone behind them.

Before she could move to grab one, two males, dressed in glittering, silver loincloths of all things, rushed forward from seemingly nowhere and began collecting them. Obviously seeing her give them the eye, Ishtal delicately fluttered a hand as though to wave away her concern.

“They will take your belongings to the rooms I've prepared for you.”

Good thing I didn’t pack anything I don’t want rifled through.

“Come, come,” Ishtal urged.

Sin and Rellik fell back to walk behind them as Aria started toward the stairs with Ishtal at her side. The soldiers split into two groups: one to lead the way into the castle, one following behind. While she didn’t like having people at her back, knowing her men were back there let her maintain her relaxed appearance.

Aria could feel Ishtal staring at her, but didn’t acknowledge it until they’d passed through the massive doors and she’d thoroughly scanned the inner courtyard. Seeing that it was empty, she met the Queen’s inquisitive gaze with raised brows.

Instead of voicing the question Aria could see in her eyes, she asked, “How was your journey?”

“Windy. But uneventful.”

“That is good. Where is the rest of your harem? I was told to anticipate four males in your court.”

Seeing that she didn’t actually look interested in knowing where the rest of her mates were, Aria gave a vague answer, partly to show trust in her mates and partly to prompt Ishtal to ask the question she was holding back.

Finally, the Queen let out a quiet breath and glanced back at Rellik. “It is good to see you alive and well, my treat. I worried when… ” She trailed off, what looked like sorrow and remorse passing through her eyes.

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