Page 141 of The Oracle of Dusk

She turned back to the queen.

“He has nothing to say to you. Now leave my husband and I to enjoy the rest of our wedding.”

Myrina looked deeply satisfied as Aurora slammed the door in the queen’s stunned, horrified face. Aurora’s ragged breaths echoed in the quiet of their chamber as Myrina’s cheerful voice ordered Flora to immediately leave her temple. The queen stormed off. It was done. Her indignation left her almost as fast as it had come on.

Aurora turned around, eyes wide.

“Merciful Triad, I just threw my soaked loincloth at the queen of Viridis.”

“Not the most tactful first act of diplomacy as a queen, but it was certainly memorable.”

Aurora slid to the floor as her knees buckled.

“How badly did I fuck up?”

“On a scale of one to ten? Maybe a five.” He shrugged, unconcerned.

“You know what? I don’t even feel ashamed. Should I?”

“Not at all. I adored every minute of it. I hope they write songs about it.”

Aurora snorted. Theron’s eyes blazed with heat and good humour.

“Your anger is intoxicating. You’re in charge of all our diplomatic efforts going forward. Though we may need to keep you well-stocked with undergarments if this is how you plan to handle foreign relations.”

The laugh started in her belly and bubbled up until Aurora howled with laughter. She wiped tears of mirth from her eyes.

“Triad’s tits,” she giggled, “I thought her head was going to explode.”

“Would that the Triad were so generous.”

As her giggles died down, she sighed.

“Now what?”

“Now, we’re going to clean off. And then I’m going to prove to you that I’m a man of my word.”

“Oh?”

His gaze slid to the case.

“I promised to ruin you with each of them, one at a time, until you can take me inside you. And we’re going to see how many blessings Passion is willing to bestow on us. For scholarship.”

A shiver stole down her spine. He got off the bed and held out his hand for her. She took it as he helped her up. Theron opened the door she’d thought was the entrance to a closet. Instead, it opened into a small bathing chamber with a sunken pool of still-steaming water, big enough for two. He pulled her close, his eyes roving over her face.

His calloused finger trailed down her cheek and neck. He skimmed her collarbone until he met the clasp at her shoulder. He paused.

“May I?”

“Yes.”

He dispatched it with a flick of his wrist, baring one breast and then the other. His hands trailed down her chest, skirting her nipples. But two could play at that game. Aurora urged his kilt down his hips. Powerful thighs bracketed his member. Goddess, just looking at it again made her insides feel like jelly. Lustful Aurora wanted nothing so much as to test the limits of her body’s capabilities. Pragmatic Aurora doubted the logistics of their coupling.

“My eyes are up here, my fairy queen,” he purred.

The grin on his lips was magnetic. She kept her eyes locked on his as she pressed a kiss to his chest. Aurora slipped from her gown, allowing it to pool at her feet. He took her hand as he backed into the pool. When the hot water embraced them both, he grabbed a nearby towel and soap and crooked his finger. He began with her face, wiping away the thick paint. When he was done, he smiled.

“There you are.”

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