Page 25 of Aria's Desire

“He would’ve relayed your appearance and measurements so the couturier could prepare something for you.”

“Mm, he shouldn’t have,” she drawled. “I appreciate the… thoughtfulness. But I’m not walking around next thing to naked. Where would I hide my weapons?”

Both men made low sounds as if her concern over being bare-assed having more to do with weapons concealment instead of modesty didn’t surprise them in the least.

“It cannot hurt to at least try them on. Perhaps, once worn, they will not be so revealing as they appear,” Rellik suggested, adopting an innocent expression. Sin nodded in agreement like that was utterly reasonable.

Instead of answering, she tipped her chin to a pile of clothes set nearer to the head of the bed. Those hadn’t been laid out artfully and were mounded up like someone had just sort of thrown them down. “What’s that over there?”

Sin made his way to them and picked up the piece on top of the pile, holding it up so they could all see it.

They were… loincloths, sort of, and very obviously meant for the men in her harem to wear. Also made of gold silk, they had long, triangular front and back panels that would drape to nearly their knees. They were accompanied by gold collars, cuffs she thought were meant to be worn on their upper arms, and…

“What the hell is this?” she asked, holding up a… something.

Rellik, smirking like a devil, lifted it out of her hand and held it up differently. “Decoration. To enhance a male’s cock.”

“Wait. It’s cock jewelry? You’ve got to be joking.”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “They’re commonly worn, often with a lock to which only his female has a key.” Seeing that she was confused and more than a little offended on behalf of the males forced to wear them, Rellik’s smile gentled, turning slightly bitter. “They serve a purpose. They protect the male from advances, and let rival females know to whom he belongs.”

Still upset, she narrowed her eyes. “And without it, what? That guy would be vulnerable to being assaulted?”

Rellik grimaced but nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. It’s rare, but possible.”

“That’s… fucked. Either he wears what’s essentially a chastity belt, or another female might just decide she wants a piece and rape him?”

He winced. “It was not always this way.”

Gritting her teeth, she took it out of his hand and set it back on the pile. “Well, neither of you are wearing them. Or any of that shit. Diplomacy only goes so far.” She turned away, angry. “I’m not dressing my men up like fucking sex dolls and locking their dicks up—“

“Your men?” came Sin’s voice, unexpectedly close behind her.

She hadn’t realized she’d said that and her eyes widened. She felt his heat lick at her back, oh so temptingly close, close enough she knew she could lean back and touch him. Drawing in a breath, she inhaled his spicy scent, but instead of answering, she deflected.

“I’m going to comm Kix and Tirox. Get an update. Then we’ll head down to this feast.”

Sin’s voice was a low, almost taunting whisper. “As you wish. Queen.”

Chapter 15

Rellik watched Aria go into the connecting bathing room then sent Sin a questioning look.

“What was that?”

Sin glanced at him then looked away just as quickly. “Nothing.”

Snorting, Rellik smirked. “Liar. Something has changed between you.”

A glare and a quick flash of fangs answered that, but Rellik was not going to back down and well Sin knew it.

Finally, his surly friend sighed. “I told her of my dishonor. She was… angry. Told me I was not trying. Did not understand why.”

“Can you blame her? I do not understand it myself. She is not small and weak like the females of your kind. She is fierce, strong. Breathtaking. She does not need what your females need from a male and well you know it.”

“I know this. I am… I—”

“You struggle. As do I.” Dropping down on the bed next to his friend, Rellik sighed. “She is complex, our Queen. Some days I feel a closeness between us and have hope. The next she is unreachable again, a wall around her.”

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