Page 42 of Shrine of Fire

“Just come right out with it,” Aki muttered. “No tact.”

“Do we want to awkwardly shuffle around at bedtime?” Hashir grinned at Stefan and Kalahar. “Because that sounds fun too.”

“Hashir.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, my face on fire. I didn’t want Stefan to feel weird, and Kalahar was…attractive. I couldn’t help but be drawn to him, but I knew nothing would ever happen.

I remembered the look of anguish on his face as his mortal lover had driven a knife into his chest. He hadn’t shown anything but polite friendship toward me.

Stefan walked to a sideboard and poured himself some water. “I don’t want to impose. Nova has already…” He cleared his throat as he gestured at Hashir. “Of course, she would want private time with…”

“I can handle my libido. We don’t have to…” I stared at my hands.

I liked it when Hashir watched me and Aki, but that was part of the game.

It was far less sexy to contemplate being overheard when you weren’t actually sleeping with the other men.

“Your packbonds are frayed,” Aki said. “I can see the shredded remains.”

I winced at the reminder of what I’d lost.

“You still aren’t bedding us enough to compensate for the loss of your pack. If you aren’t careful, your magic will become unpredictable.”

I rubbed my hands together. Unpredictable fire magic and a ship made of wood. A winning combination. Even though Aki was right, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed. I should be able to go without sex for the three weeks it would take us to sail to Fairuin.

“Fire magic is a hard discipline,” Kalahar said quietly. “Your flame is quite bright. There is nothing to feel ashamed of. Better sexual pleasure than endless rage.”

“True.” I let out a breath, trying to stop the color creeping into my cheeks. “I went to the Sanctuary with an omega who had fire magic, too. But she was always angry, and almost over-passionate about whatever caught her interest.”

I looked down at my hands. “But voyeurism is only exciting when all parties are interested. I’ll make time for my libido, but it doesn’t have to be at night just because we’re in a bed.”

“Quite right. Sex is exciting on other surfaces as well.” Hashir kissed my temple.

Aki snorted, and Stefan chuckled. Kalahar merely looked curious.

“It’s decided.” Hashir clapped his hands together. “We’ll share the bed, because we’re all adults who can discuss what we are or are not comfortable with. And if you’renotcomfortable with that, there’s always the couch.”

“That’s fine.” Stefan cleared his throat again. “It makes sense, and I don’t trust Lord Baylin not to pry. Better to make sure he doesn’t have reason to suspect anything.”

“Which brings me to the question of how you’re going to explain it to him when Nova doesn’t agree to bond any of these men,” Aki said. “You’re playing at being the happy couple, and we need to go to the Spirit Oasis. But Baylin will be sure to go tattling to Daddy,” Aki jerked his thumb at Stefan, “the second that Nova tells these buffoons off.”

I giggled at the image. “I was planning on being more discreet.”

Aki shrugged, still sounding annoyed. “Discreet or not, they will take offense.”

“That’s the answer.” Stefan leaned against the counter. He looked thoughtful, his clean lemon scent filling the cabin. I wanted to touch his cheek, pull him next to me while we planned the future. How quickly he thought on his feet was attractive, and I found myself yearning for his touch.

“We simply take offense at something the Chief does at this first stop.”

Aki’s frown deepened. “I’ve lived in the Northern Kingdoms most of my life. They have a reputation for being barbaric and loud, but they will laugh off most offenses.”

“There are no large kingdoms in the Northern Islands, only lots of fragmented clans. Chief Uatear A’Cuiric rules the clans on the westernmost island, and has only one son, a beta named Cuanciardha A’Cuiric.”

“You know what they say about the Northern warriors,” Hashir elbowed me. “Their size and stamina are legendary. Maybe you won’t select a new packmate, but you might find someone who catches your interest.”

“Hashir.” I rolled my eyes. I needed something to do with my hands if we were going to be talking about my sex life in such detail. I pulled my bag of yarn up beside me and took out my scarf. “Are you saying you’re not enough?”

“Course not. But the more the merrier.”

“You’re impossible.” I shook my head. “I don’t want to offend an entire nation just because I don’t plan on adding to this imaginary pack. Is there no other way? Can’t I say his scent isn’t appealing?”

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