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Zalora smiles but pointedly drops her gaze to where I’m still gripping Gibbi’s elegant hand. I promptly let go and glance between the two Xavia
I try not to gape at her, and then at Gibbi.
“I’ve always admired Prince Kiahn,” Gibbi leans down to tell me conversationally. “He has a good head on his shoulders, and I think he would be a gentle mate when it comes to the bench… is that true?”
Ok, well, now I actually am gaping. I open my mouth as if I’m about to answer her, but images of how feral and forceful Kiahn’s thrusts get with me when we’re both about to finish together.
“I would very much like the opportunity to be his next contract now that he’s finally started breeding,” Gibbi continues, her tone completely conversational and oblivious to how uncomfortable I am right now. “We can’t thank you enough for that, by the way. I used to think he’d never take a bride.” She glances over at Kiahn, but I can’t bring myself to look at him. When she looks back at me, it’s with a wide, beautiful smile. “I’ve always wanted to settle in this Principality,” she tells me, gri
Gibbi has a certain twinkle in her eye as if we’re talking to each other like we’re old girlfriends gossiping over the best places to go on dates or get our hair done. But we’re not. She’s talking about being next in line to take my man.
My stomach lurches, and it must show on my face, because Gibbi shows me an expression of concern and she asks if I’m well.
“I’m fine,” I say, nodding and smiling because I’m absolutely not fine.
From the corner of my eye I see a large Xavia
It’s not Kiahn, however. It’s his brother, Az. I should have known he wouldn’t be able to keep away from Lois for long. He comes bearing two cut-crystal glasses filled with a deep purple liquid.
I swipe one before he can even offer it to Lois and down the thing, the overly sweetened alcohol going down far too quickly.
Az chuckles. “Having a good night, then, dear Niska?” he teases before offering up his remaining drink to Lois. She refuses with a shake of her head and a downturned frown. Az just grins at her and starts to sip the drink, watching her over the rim of the glass as he does.
The conversation carries on around me, with Gibbi sometimes pausing to ask me questions about how I’m finding my stay at the palace, what I think of Xaavia so far and how well I’m being treated.
Honestly, she seems like a really nice person.
But I can’t get away from the pit forming in my stomach that her presence causes. It’s like she showed up and started digging, and the longer and longer I stand here, the deeper the hole gets. But I know - I know - what’s at the bottom of that pit. It’s not the other side of the world, it’s not buried treasure, and it’s not ancient ruins. It’s reality. Gibbi showed up to shovel away all the confusion I have in my mind about what Kiahn and I are to each other.
“So,” Gibbi pauses, taking in a big inhale through her nose before continuing. “My father has been trying to get me to agree to my first contract for a while now, and I’d really like for it to be with Kiahn. I think he would be fair and kind, and like I said, I’d like to settle here. So… are there any tips you could give me about getting him to agree? Does he like females to be direct? Or does he enjoy the chase?”
Oh God, that pit is getting somehow deeper and wider. It’s like a sinkhole.
My breathing starts to speed up and I feel a little lightheaded. Lady Zalora’s gaze slices to me as she waits for me to answer these questions like this is any kind of normal conversation.
“Niska,” a deep, calming voice envelopes me, and I know it’s him before I turn to lay my eyes on him.
Everyone around us bows their head amongst murmurs of greeting for their prince, and people part to give him room.
Kiahn stands there like a life raft - a rope ladder thrown into that sinkhole, trying to pull me out. I feel myself sag a little at the sight of him. And I think he sees it. His gorgeous green eyes survey me up and down and he steps forward, offering his hand. “My bride is tired, and I would like to invite her for cuddles.”
The invitation snaps me right out of myself, my hand coming up to slap over my eyes.
“Cuddles? What is that?” I hear Az ask.
“It is a human custom where we share a bed, holding one another. We talk until we fall asleep in each other’s arms,” Kiahn answers like he’s describing the recipe for a new dish. “It is for comfort. Niska trusted me with the tradition on the ship.”
Sliding my hand from my eyes, I see Az’s light up. “We can do that?!” He turns, spi