Page 90 of Tempt

No, but he is proof that we are not all as benevolent and kind as we have portrayed ourselves. He runs a hand against his chest, right over his hearts, and I want to lean into him, to pull him into a hug, but don’t dare. Instead, I turn my head back to the floor, staring at the patterns once more.

I wish I could look at you, Eissa says. You are gorgeous like this, more beautiful than anyone here. I miss your eyes, and I cannot wait until we leave.

It’s probably one of the more romantic things someone has said to me, and I find myself blushing and turning my gaze to the side to look at anything to distract me. If he keeps saying shit like this to me, I might break. And I can’t do that here.

I know Eissa is a Vyastil of importance, and I am just a companion who has to be obedient. I can’t shame him here by being defiant.

It’s then that I see a familiar flash of red and a mop of blond curls.

Lucie is here.

My heart jumps when his eyes meet mine.

They widen, and he lifts his hands for a moment before settling them in front of him, as if trying to keep himself from signing.

It’s for the best because his Vyastil has him pressed against him, tail wrapped around Lucie’s thigh possessively. My gaze rakes down the chain that sits against his skin, his body adorned even more than Everest’s. As I learned from meeting him earlier, his nipples are pierced, as are his belly button and cock, the chain linking through each piercing, binding them together.

Talk about possessive, I think as his Vyastil catches someone else staring and cups Lucie’s cock possessively.

Lucie blushes and turns his gaze away, biting down on his bottom lip.

I wonder how many fights break out here over companions and how many of them are for silly things like looking at one of them the wrong way.

My thoughts don’t go far because I feel Eissa stiffen beside me, his tail curling around my waist.

Just like Dhoryn did with Lucie.

Everyone turns their heads and then tilts them in deference. A Vyastil I’ve never seen before is moving through the room. I can tell by the way he walks that he ranks higher than anyone here. His blue hair is pulled into a severe bun, his keen eyes moving around the room.

When he approaches the table, the two Vyastil who were shown my cock and balls stand, and the blue-haired Vyastil steps between them, flicking out his robe as he takes a seat.

Who is that? I ask Eissa.

Prince Jyrion. He is Quilliyn’s brother.

My lips part as I try to take that in. I guess the same-colored hair should have tipped me off, but the angry and calculating gleam in Jyrion’s eyes is so unlike Quilliyn.

Yes, they are different. In more ways than one, Eissa tells me. I hope we do not have to encounter him, but I’m sure I will have to make an introduction. Forgive me, my Luca, for what I may have to do.

I don’t know what that means, but then Jyrion calls Rathyn and Everest up to the table. Or at least I assume that’s what he does because Rathyn is tugging Everest behind him, almost roughly. So calloused and unfeeling, so different from what I’m used to seeing from the two of them.

What’s happening? I ask, peering up through my lashes as Everest stumbles against Rathyn, almost losing his footing entirely.

Rathyn looks annoyed at how clumsy his companion is, and Jyrion sneers at the two of them.

Then I see his mouth move, but I can’t make out what he’s saying.

Jyrion is putting Rathyn to the test. Much like I think he’ll do with us. I will try to be gentle, but there is a chance I won’t be able to.

I swallow roughly as Jyrion lifts a finger and points at Everest.

Rathyn’s shoulders stiffen, not that noticeably, but enough for my Deaf eyes to catch the movement, and then I see Jyrion hand Rathyn something.

I can’t make it out, but I feel Eissa shivering beside me.

Rathyn turns whatever he has over in his hand and then inclines his head, tugging Everest toward a large chair in the corner. It’s elevated so that everyone can see it, or more so the person who sits there.

Rathyn takes Everest by the throat and pushes him into the seat, spreading his legs, and then reaches back and secures the chain to something behind the chair.