And I knew some of them having their way with Xacto had to have wives at home in their chams.
I left him last night. Lahn was there at least an hour longer than me, likely more.
I left him last night!
Then he came to our tent and fucked me! Maybe after he had his fun with them!
“Now? ” I shrieked, Ghost mewed and jerked in surprise then read my mood and jumped off the bed.
“Now?” Diandra asked, her body tense.
“Is he fucking them now? I mean, since we were married?”
She shook her head, leaned forward and grabbed my hand. “I do not know,” she said quietly.
She didn’t know. Which could be yes or it could be no. Which could mean yes.
I yanked my hand from hers and looked away.
“My queen –” she started.
“If you say it is their way, I swear, Diandra, I swear… I’ll scream,” I snapped at the tent wall.
She was silent.
I deep breathed.
Then I made up my mind and looked at her.
“I must ask of you an important favor and I will warn you that it will be one you won’t want to grant. I am your queen, I get that, but I will tell you and mean it that you have every right to refuse what I ask and there will be no hard feelings,” I declared.
“Erm… all right,” she mumbled hesitantly.
“I want you here tonight to translate what I have to say when my husband gets home.”
She instantly whispered, “Oh dear.”
Oh dear was right!
“You can say no,” I reminded her and she held my eyes.
Then she leaned forward and grabbed my hand. “I advise you as your friend, Circe –”
I shook my head and squeezed her hand hard. “I get that, Diandra, I get it. Trust me, I do. Now, will you be here tonight when Lahn gets home?”
She studied me. Then she squeezed my hand and said softly,
“Yes, Diandra, as your friend, I will always be by your side when you need me.”
Tears instantly filled my eyes and one spilled over before I looked away.
I let her go and dashed at it with the back of my hand before I whispered to the wall, “Thank you.”
Diandra didn’t respond.
Then I pulled in breath through my nose, looked at her, smiled a fake smile and suggested, “Why don’t we have some lunch?”
* Translation: “Today you rest, tomorrow we see if you’re healthy.
The Horde does not ride if my Circe is not well.”
Chapter Twelve
Wifely Duties
Night had fallen; I was pacing the cham while Diandra sat at the table sipping from her third chalice of wine.
She was sucking back liquid courage.
I didn’t need liquid courage; I was coasting high on adrenalin and emotion.
I did not allow myself to consider why the possibility that Lahn was having sex with other women and allowing them to bathe him and do his fucking hair upset me so much.
It just did.
A lot.
A lot, a lot.
