Let’s go get cleaned up and then we can meet with Sakura’s parents and the Prime Minister.”
“Two weeks ago, I was a nobody, and now I’m rubbing elbows with goddesses and foreign leaders.”
“Don’t forget about gods,” Ilian reminds.
“Ugh, I want to erase Ulyen from my memory more than I want to get back on a boat.”
“Is that what you asked Aisyth when you two were whispering?”
I grin. “Don’t worry about it. Will you teach me to do tattoos?”
My question takes the Ithaqua off guard. “Yes, if that’s your wish.”
“You know I love ink, especially yours.”
“Then it will be my honor. We can sketch designs out together and work on them.”
“I thought you didn’t draw?”
“Ah, but you do. Couples should have hobbies together.”
The courtyard behind the house where we were transported rings with my laughter. “Look at us, already on our way to becoming an old married couple.”
Sakura reappears. “Come on, you two! You’re worse than an old married couple, fawning over one another.”
Ilian and I share a glance, both of us amused by Sakura's remark. With a teasing smile, my Ithaqua places a hand over his heart.
"We're a couple very much in love—can you blame us for being a little wrapped up in each other?"
My friend just shakes her head, leading the way into her parents’ home. The traditional architecture is gorgeous, and I know the house has been in Sakura’s family for generations.
As we step inside, the scent of incense and the warm embrace of familiarity greet us. Although reserved, Sakura’s mom and dad have always embraced me as their daughter’s friend.
Sakura takes us down a hall and through a panel of sliding doors that leads outside to the bathhouse. She leaves us towels before going to check on Dairfyn.
Although my friend might complain about them, I can see her interest. Something about the Dagon has piqued Sakura’s attention—and that’s a first.
The warm waters soothe away the tension of the past week as Ilian and I sink into the large, wooden soaking tub.
Steam swirls around us, and we enjoy a moment of tranquility that’s interrupted by hushed tones bickering not too far away.
Sighing, I get out and put on the robe Sakura left. “One second.”
I round the corner to put an end to whatever is going on between my friend and Ilian’s only to freeze in my tracks.
Dairfyn and Sakura are locked together in a passionate embrace. Their top hands fist Sakura’s thick, black hair, and she’s bent over their bottom arm as they ravage her mouth.
She whimpers, and I quickly retreat, rushing back to Ilian. He’s standing in the water, reaching for his towel.
“I sense your distress…and arousal.”
A scorching blush sears my cheeks. “It’s nothing. Let’s get back in.”
Hanging back up my robe, I ease into the tub only to have Ilian pull me forward and into his lap.
“Soyam, what is going on?”
“Dairfyn and Sakura are kissing.”
Ilian chuckles. “They work fast.”
“Indeed, they do. I feel guilty for letting you unleash them on my friend.”
“She can handle her own from what I’ve seen. Either the two will be mated by the spring or one of them will be dead.”
“My money’s on Sakura.”
“Obviously, but the Kueeng will be upset. Dairfyn is one of his favorites. So they were kissing, huh? Do you get off to watching others when you shouldn’t?”
His question makes me squirm. “No! It was more the unbridled hunger in their touch that caught me off guard and aroused me a little.”
“And what should we do about this?”
I gasp when his cock rises from under his fur. It’s so long that the white tip bobs out of the water between us.
“There’s no hanky-panky in the Yamamoto’s bathhouse!”
Ilian quirks a brow. “Did Sakura tell you that—because she’s breaking the rule right now, so I don’t see why we shouldn’t.”
