Asteron

ASTERON

G inny has not spoken to me. Not since the feast, not while we've been on the transport taking us to my retreat. It's an old hunting lodge in the mountains near the eastern border of the royal lands. Set high up with a commanding view of the forests, it's always been one of my favorite places.

Mostly because my father never set foot in it.

I think Ginny might be mad at me. Possibly because of the ring situation, possibly because I've completely failed to explain myself to her, or Xnos, or anything.

That might be making her mad.

I don't want my queen mad. I want her in the stall taking my cock and knot, making the noises which drive me to the very edge of my sanity.

I don't want us to leave the retreat until she has a belly filled with my young. Everything I do from now on is for her.

Including the truth.

I glare at my guards. They don't meet my gaze. All three had one job, to keep my queen safe, and yet they still allowed Kar to drip poison in her ear. The fact I hand-picked them for the guard duty means I know they would protect Ginny with their lives.

I didn't bank on them having to protect her from the politics.

"We are nearly at the retreat, my queen," I say to Ginny as she keeps her back to me and her arms folded. "It can be cold in the mountains. Would you like a cloak?"

"I'll be fine," she says, the words coming out as if she's forcing them. "I'd prefer the truth," she mutters under her breath.

Her words are like daggers. I should have told her everything from day one, rather than keeping her at arm's length.

"And I would prefer it if you did keep warm," I suggest, lifting the heavy embroidered cloak I had made for her from a nearby storage locker.

Her eyes flicker to it, but she doesn't move. I gently place it around her shoulders, resisting the urge to touch her creamy skin where I can see it. She's still in her wedding gown, and if she gives me the chance, I will be ensuring it can never be worn again, using my teeth.

But the way she freezes when I touch her, it seems my chances are rather less than zero, and I have no one to blame but myself.

The transport bubble rises over the side of the caldera and the hunting lodge comes into view.

"Oh!" Ginny exclaims, but then instantly sinks into brooding silence.

At least I got some emotion from her.

"This is yours, my queen. It is my gift to you," I say.

Ginny turns to look at me, and if I had hoped my gift of the hunting lodge might have sweetened her mood, I was wrong.

"Thanks," she says dully.

We swing around the valley and come in to dock at the top of the uppermost turret. The lodge is unlike my palace which is very modern. It is in the old style, with swooping towers and bleached white stone frontage.

Disembarking, I'm almost at a loss what to do, how to get Ginny to talk to me, when one of the palace gerecats wanders into the reception room.

"What is that?" Ginny says to me, as the cat swishes its dual tail and then sits to wash a paw which bristles with claws. "It's so cute!" she adds as the cat rolls onto its back and begins to wash its balls.

I drop down and hold out a hand, making the noise the cats like. It uncurls itself, gives me a haughty look, but then stalks over, winding around my hand and arm until it's around my neck and purring loudly.

"This is a gerecat. They are great vermin killers. You'll find them all over the lodge," I say as Ginny reaches out a hand, gingerly, and allows the cat to sniff her skin.

I am impressed she doesn't immediately attempt to stroke the cat or handle it, as so many do.

"Gerecats are supposed to be descended from a royal line," I add. "They have a way about them."

Having tested Ginny's scent, the cat shoves its wedge-shaped head into her palm and the purring increases in volume. I don't think I've ever seen one of the lodge's cats take to a new person like this.

"Perhaps they're more honest than their owners," Ginny says as the cat transfers itself from me to her, wrapping around her neck and roaring like a fire.

"Gerecats are not owned. They simply choose a home and stay there," I reply, not catching her meaning in time. "But it's time I was honest with you, my little Ginny."

"Don't feel you have to do anything," she says with sudden ire. "We're married. I won the bride lottery and we both signed the contract. I know why I'm here and I can deal with it. Keep your secrets."

She stares at me, eyes blazing, her entire body looking like she is on fire, ready to fight with me, with my guard, with everyone. Ginny might be tiny, but she is mighty, and she could command armies if she wanted to.

"I don't want to keep them, my queen. I want to tell you everything, and I'm sorry you had to endure all this time without knowing the truth."