Page 49 of What Fury Brings
There was tension in the empty space between them. Sanos could not move without breaking it. Without her springing into action—he was certain of this. Backing up would cause her to step forward. Moving forward would cause her to hold her ground, bringing him closer to the woman determined to claim him for her own. The single door was looking more and more appealing by the second. Perhaps it locked fromthe inside, giving him time to find another exit. He’d take a window, despite them being on the third floor.
“You’re not answering any of my questions,” Olerra said. “What took you so long? Shall I summon the eunuchs? And while we’re at it, what did you do to poor Aevia?”
Keeping her talking seemed the safest course of action at the moment.
“I waited for you to fall into what I thought was a deep sleep. Then I had to go through fifty bedrooms before finding an exit. Why do all the bedrooms connect to one another?”
“It keeps men in line.” At his arched brow, she added, “When members of the harem watch me cross through their bedroom to reach another man’s, it’s an incentive to behave. To try harder for my affections.”
Just when Sanos thought he couldn’t be more horrified by this kingdom…
He shook himself. “Don’t summon the eunuchs. They make me uncomfortable.”
“Because their manhood is gone?”
“Because I don’t like to be touched by other men.”
“You only like to be touched by women?”
“I only like to be touched when that touch is wanted.”
She snorted.
“What?” he asked.
“Oh, just the hypocrisy is all.”
He continued to stare at her.
“I’m told that in Brutus, you men force women into all kinds of unwanted marriage situations. Often the moment they begin bleeding. Do you not barter and trade your women like cattle, regardless of their desires?”
“How is that any different from what you’re doing to men here?” he demanded.
“The difference, Prince, is that the women of Amarra became this way to counter the way men were treating them. Your sex started this. The current point, however, is that it’s ridiculous for you to be offended by the way you’re being treated when your own people practice it. It’s just always been in your favor until now.”
Her words struck him deeper than he liked.
“You’re in Amarra, not Brutus,” she continued. “You will adjust to our ways, and if you start behaving, I won’t have to have you handled by the men in the castle’s employ. Now, what of Aevia?”
Sanos itched to have a sword in his hand. He was certain it would make him feel more confident in this situation. “I choked her. She’ll come to eventually.”
“Bloodless,” she said with a smile. “I’m impressed. It’s a relief that you’re not to face execution. I’d hate to have to find a new husband after all the trouble you’ve caused me.”
“You’re not concerned for the girl?”
“She’s new. This was as much a test for her as it was you. She failed. She needs more training before she’s ready to be a palace guard.” She shrugged.
He didn’t want to ask, but he needed to. Not knowing was killing him. “What happens now?”
Olerra reached behind her and pulled out his padded manacles. She tossed them to him. “First, you’re going to put those back on, because you’re clearly not ready to have them off. Then I will escort you back to your room and lock you in for the night.”
“And tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, you’ll wish you’d stayed in your room instead of trying to escape.”
Sanos burned with hatred as he stared at the manacles he held loosely in one hand. “And if I refuse to put these on?”
“You will be punished.”
