Page 21

The term “butterflies in the stomach” seemed like an understatement. Valda felt hordes of horses running inside her chest and stomach. She could barely breathe. Her hands itched inside the pockets of her slacks as she willed herself not to bite her nails. She wore a flowing ensemble of silks and cotton, a beautiful blend of oranges and purples, with intricate golden embroidery. She stood outside the throne room, in an adjacent room they used to get ready before walking in. The court was loud on the other side of the door. The music competed with clattering of silverware and glasses. The room was full, there was no doubt about it.

And Valda wondered if her mate was waiting for her inside the room, walking amongst the guests. Was she sipping wine, talking to one of the ladies or lords of the court? Was she having a good time, was … was she even invited to the damn thing? Valda sighed and rubbed her face. Her mother probably didn’t even send an invitation to the settlers in New Agenor.

Her mother wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t do anything to stop her from being with her mate, right?

Something rubbed itself against her calf. Looking down, Valda chuckled at Cerberus’s aggressive display of affection. A rub to her calf, a soft nip to her pant leg, and then the slow blinking that melted her heart.

“You are going to keep me company, aren’t you girl?”

The cat’s loud purrs settled Valda’s nervousness. She petted under Cerberus’s chin, her purring getting louder.

“Stay close, all right?”

Cerberus opened her eyes, her pupils dilating before releasing a loud hiss.

Before Valda could wonder what was wrong with her, a strong slap to her shoulder tensed her muscle until she saw Kayden’s blue eyes shining with mischief.

“You fucker,” she mumbled before pushing his hand away.

“Happy birthday, Princess Valda.” Kayden pulled her into a hug, which Valda reciprocated.

Cerberus hissed again, but Kayden shook his foot at her. “Get!”

“Kayden!” Valda snarled, watching her precious pet run into another hidden room. Kayden annoyed Valda to no end, but she could never deny that she loved him as the brother she never had. His annoying grin and brash humor always brought a smile to her face.

“You scared the shit out of me,” Valda chuckled before pulling away and looking at Kayden from head to toe. She whistled and raised a coy eyebrow. “Well, hello there, Sir Kayden. I am sure you will not use your powers to get laid tonight.”

“I will take that as a compliment.” He laughed, while trying to hide something behind his back.

“What you got there?”

“It’s a present. I wanted to be the first to give you a proper birthday gift. I know you will give it great use if things go as planned.”

Valda pursed her lips just as Kayden pulled from behind him a wooden box with a simple latch. The symbol of the goddess Aphrodite was branded on top of it. Knowing Kayden, it was something she wouldn’t be able to show off inside the throne room.

“I want you to open it here.”

And she was right. She grabbed the proffered box, took in its weight and hesitated before opening it. “What is it, Kayden?”

“Just open it! Come on!”

Valda sighed, smoothed a hand over her uniform and undid the latch. Slowly she peeked inside the box. Before opening the entire thing, her eyes grew wide as she closed the box again. “This is a joke!”

Kayden threw his head back and laughed. “It is not!” He squeezed Valda’s shoulders and pointed at the box again. “A gift from the goddess of love herself. Blessed by her! You can feel everything when you use it.” He winked at Valda, and her cheeks heated up.

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

Valda swallowed hard and turned back to the box as she opened it wider. The gift was a sex toy. One Valda could wear to mimic a cock, and if she used it, she could feel everything a man could. She wasn’t sure of the material it was made of, but the skin-like color matched hers. She rolled her eyes. As heat warmed her ears, she closed the box.

“Thanks,” she mumbled.

“Of course!” Kayden bellowed, shaking her slightly.

Valda smoothed her hand over a persistent wrinkle on her suit. Eyeing a maid, she gave her box with the instructions to take it to her room, much to Kayden’s disapproval.

“Disregarding my gift so fast?”