Page 62

Theme says his goodnights quickly. He’s not comfortable being alone with us as it is, and I think he’s grateful for the opportunity to duck out.

Once he’s left, I gingerly sit down on the couch. Sawoot refills my cup as I try to find a way to sit that doesn’t hurt my still sore bottom. Even when I’m away from Aelon and his triad, I’m left feeling what they did to me.

It’s not what they did to my body that I’m worried about. Why can’t I stop thinking about him?

As if reading my mind, Sawoot sits down and says: “You want to talk about the captain, don’t you?”

I wince. “Yes. Well… I hate him… But there’s something about him, isn’t there?”

She laughs. “He’s got too much swagger for his own good. I don’t pretend Aurelians have no effect on me - that’s for prudes, and there are a lot of women who’d never admit their attraction. I think it’s because once you do, people automatically assume you’re going to run off and join a harem.”

“You think Aelon has a harem?”

She thinks carefully, her tongue pressing against the inside of her cheeks. Then, she shrugs.

“Maybe– but I don’t think so. He doesn’t seem like the type to spend more than a single night with the same woman. Can you imagine him sitting around, surrounded by dozens of them? He’s way too intense.” She sighs. “He’s a delicious cocky bastard, though, isn’t he?”

I snort. “Worse than any I’ve seen! Gods – those men who tried to rape you… I think he wasfriendswith them.”

Sawoot looks down. “I’m trying not to think about that. It was bad enough living it – and it’s only thanks to Garrick that I’m still...unmolested.” She looks up – the smile gone from her face. “That fucker Kit was abeast,and so was his triad. They’d have ripped me apart.”

Garrick. There’s something gallant about the name, which he certainly was.

My smile fades too.

“Sawoot – this might sound crazy, but I have the feeling that Aelon thinks I’m his Fated Mate.”

Her eyes widen.

“Exactly,” I nod. “That’s what’s been really bothering me. Like, what if… What if Iam?”

Sawoot taps her fingers against the table as she thinks.

“Then, I’d say you’re lucky.”

“Lucky? Really?”

She nods. “Yeah, of course!”

She leans in closer.

“You know, some people claim the Bond can control your mind, but I don’t believe it. Remember my friend from the harem? She asked the Aurelians about the Bond once. The leader of that triad told her that all the Bond does is enhance any desires you already have.”

Her eyes flash mischievously.

“So, I’d ask you, Tasha – is there anything lurking inside you that you’re scared might awaken?”

I look down, suddenly embarrassed.

To be honest…

Oh, Gods… My cheeks burn with humiliation.

Therewassomething about being completely powerless that had turned me on when Vinicus and Aelon had delivered that spanking, in front of the entire crew. I’m so used to being the decision maker – the leader. I’m used to being the one who has to make the split-second decisions that mean life or death to my crew.

When Vinicus first held me down across his lap, I’d realized how helpless I was. I felt truly powerless for one of the first times in years. When I’d kicked and fought to escape Captain Aelon’s grip and couldn’t get away… I’d realized I was completely in his control…

…and I’d liked it.