Ginny

GINNY

A steron has got under my skin in a way I didn't believe was possible. Sure, I've enjoyed our fun times together. He's been a considerate lover and the way my body reacts to him…nothing's ever been hotter than time with my alien minotaur husband.

My stomach has, however, unknotted itself from where it was. He wants to be with me, only there is more going on here than meets the eye. I did my best to listen to the gossip of my ladies, but so much of it didn't make sense.

So much more does, now I'm here, in this room with the clans they've spoken about. Not so far down the long table, Mina, Anthea, and Deina sit, tucking into the food with gusto and giving me joyful waves when they see me looking in their direction.

If there was something dangerous, wouldn't they have known? Maybe it wasn't their place to warn me.

I move my gaze over to Asteron's strong back. His horns are absolutely magnificent, the light shining off them. He's one of the biggest bulls here and surely not one any of the others would challenge?

"What a pretty little queen Asteron has chosen for himself." an unpleasant grating voice says, causing me to move my gaze back to the table.

Only the speaker is not seated. Instead, standing next to me is a light tan bull, big, like they all are, but not exactly as muscular as most of the warriors. His midriff is going a little and his horns are smaller than most.

He reminds me of Kevin. I feel like I'm being trolled. I stare at him, holding his gaze.

"And you are?" I attempt the most regal voice I can, channelling my inner Meryl Streep, but it comes out far too high-pitched, not that this new Xnosson bull notices.

"I am Kar of Clan Anguzz. High vizier to the clan chief," he says, as if I should understand any of the words.

"Oh," I reply, doing my best to sound bored.

He deflates a little before rallying.

"I have been told the king found you on some dirty little space carrier and paid you for your…honor," he says, looking me up and down like I'm something he's just stepped in.

Oh, now we've got to the heart of the matter. He's digging for dirt he didn't make up.

"Is that what you've heard?" I nod, placing my finger on my cheek. "Then why are you asking me?"

He leans back and studies me. This Xnosson bull is no fool and I'd be wise to keep him at arm's length.

"Because the truth is hard to find on Xnos," he says. "And after all, he hasn't had the ring fitted which would confirm he has claimed you."

"Ring?" I ask and immediately regret the question as Kar's eyes flare at my weakness and lack of knowledge.

"All clan chiefs, all kings, when they take their mate and when they bond, will have a ring fitted."

He sweeps an arm around the gathering. Here and there, I see bulls with rings in their noses, some gold, some silver, some with the occasional flash of a gemstone.

My stomach dips and the food which I've been enjoying turns to ash. I know so little about Xnos, about Asteron, about anything other than court gossip (which is mostly about who is entering a stall with who). I don't have an answer.

Why would he not have a ring?

"Do they?" I say, with such forced nonchalance it's clear I'm faking it. "That's interesting."

Kar leans into me and my skin wants to crawl off my body.

"It is, isn't it?" he says, his dark eyes glittering with menace.

"Kar!" Asteron's massive bulk appears behind the other Xnosson male. "Are you upsetting my wife?" he growls.

Kar freezes, and this time there is fear in his eyes, which I am not sorry about at all.

"Of course not," he says breezily. "I was congratulating her on your joyful union."

I want to punch him in the face.

Asteron claps a hand on his shoulder and pulls him away from me.

"I've never trusted you, Kar, and your clan leader shouldn't trust you either. If I ever catch you speaking to my wife again, I will not allow your head to remain on your shoulders, understand?" His voice is deep but even, his fingers digging in to Kar's shoulder. Menace rolls from every inch of him.

"Yes, your highness," Kar says with a grimace.

"Well, then, off you go." Asteron releases him suddenly and Kar doesn't even look back as he scuttles away.

"Are you hurt in any way, little queen?" Asteron has my chin in his hand.

"Why didn't you get a ring?" I ask, holding his gaze. "Like Xnosson males are supposed to when they wed."