Page 47 of The Lost Princess

I came upon Nasi scrubbing himself vigorously in the hot bath.

“Are you alright? I didn’t … hurt you?” I asked cautiously, sitting warily on the pool’s edge.

Nasi turned, and I found myself staring at the tiny rivulets of water that snaked down his bare chest. He made a sound that sounded half-laugh, half-dismay.

“Hurt me? Why would you think that?” he asked, honestly confused.

I felt a bit stupid, but pushed forward. If there was anyone who wouldn’t laugh at me for a dumb question, it was Nasi. The men from court usually enjoyed lording their experience and ‘worldly knowledge’ over me. Likely one of the reasons I wasn’t allowed to speak much with them.

“You … something happened and you were bent over, shielding yourself. Then you rushed off here,” I mumbled, embarrassed even though I wasn’t sure why. What was there to say after a man had his face in your most intimate parts?

Nasi’s jaw dropped slightly, two dark spots appearing on his cheeks. “You … you don’t … oh.” His golden skin flushed darkly, the opposite of how a human blushed. Now he was the one embarrassed. Why? I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my foot impatiently.

He cleared his throat, and tried again. “It … is common when a male finishes for both drakens and humans.”

I blinked a few times, not understanding. “Finishes?” I echoed back faintly.

Nasi’s jaw dropped further, if possible. He rubbed his face with his large hands, then pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I don’t … that’s right. You didn’t have a mother. Your mother was likely killed or tortured—long dead before you came along.”

I reared back as if he’d struck me.

His face paled, realizing immediately what he’d said out loud. “Kaida! No! That wasn’t—”

I stormed away from the pools, back to our cave. It was tempting to simply leap out the mouth and fly until my wings fell off, but I knew that Nasi would come after me even though he was too weak to fly fully.

I sat stubbornly on the stone floor, facing the horizon.

“Kaida. Please. That was brutish of me.” Nasi squeezed his body hurriedly through the hole, not taking care to tuck his wings in. I saw the moment he scraped the delicate, healing tissue along the rocks, and he winced in pain. Nonetheless, he soldiered on to my side.

“I was talking out loud. I simply meant that I realized you’re … you're innocent.”

I wanted to be insulted, but it was difficult when it was the truth.

“So educate me,” I challenged, my hands on my hips, and my wings fluttering mildly. I was beginning to notice they would reflect my mood, much like Nasi’s did.

“Just … come sit here by the furs. I will explain.” He gestured toward the pile in the back, glancing away from me. Was heembarrassed? The thought was odd.

I shot a glance at the stew and grabbed two bowls he’d brought for me a few days ago. I vaguely wondered if it was the same farm, or a different housewife who was suddenly missing them. I didn’t care.

I scooped two bowls of the stew, and met him over by the furs. Mutely, I handed him a bowl. I took a deep sip, surprised at how well it came out. Spices really were everything, weren't they? Nasi kept his bowl clutched tightly to his chest, looking a bit out of his element.

I didn’t plan to go easy on him either. “So. That thing that happened.”

Nasi closed his eyes, as if asking for strength. “Yes. That thing. It happens to all men when they are … with someone.”

My nose wrinkled. “You mean sex?”

He stared at his soup. “Yes.”

I thought about that. I knew sex was needed to have a baby—Selena had at least given me that much information when I’d starting asking questions.

Oh, gods above.Babies?

I fought off a mild wave of panic, realizing just how little I knew. Glancing at Nasi, I was determined to get answers.

“Describe the exact mechanics of sex,” I demanded imperiously.

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