10. Renowlf

With my daggergripped tightly in one hand, I ease the door open with the other. As expected, the intruder is inside. When I realize my life is not in danger, I move into the room and place my dagger on the dressing table.

At the sight of a familiar female in my bed wearing nothing but my bathing robe, the painful erection I have had since leaving Mia's room softens, and my spikes recede beneath the surface of my cock.

"Hello, Ren. I used your cleansing unit and borrowed your robe. I hope you do not mind." The seductive voice, which I usually find appealing, does nothing to arouse me—and actually grates on my nerves. There is only one female my beast wants in my bed.

"What are you doing here, Bayliss?" I am not pleased by her uninvited presence, by her invasion of my private space.

She gets up from her prone position and moves toward me. The ties hang loose so the robe falls open, exposing her body to my gaze, and she runs her hands down her bare flesh. "I missed you," she says, placing her hands on my chest and pressing our bodies together. "All you do is work, work, work. I need you, my king."

I move away from her, breaking contact. "How did you get in here?" My security protocols are lax.

"Agavar let me in."

"It appears I am in need of a more trustworthy maid," I growl.

Bayliss laughs. "Do not punish her, Ren. I told Agavar you expected me, and you know how persuasive I am." She moves in close and presses a hand to my groin. Her eyes widen briefly at my flaccid state. Not my typical response to her company.

I grip her wrist and remove her hand from my body. "This is not a good time, Bayliss. I expect the healer at any moment."

"Are you ill?" she asks, concerned, as if that could be the only reason why I would push her away or not harden from her touch.

There was a time, not long ago, that I would have eagerly taken what Bayliss offered, my meeting be damned.

Not only does Bayliss come from a good family with traces of royal blood, she is also strikingly attractive. While her facial features are similar to all orcs, she has large, thick-lashed eyes and full, seductive lips that she tints with rouge. Her shape is pleasing as well. High, firm breasts. A long torso with a narrow waist. Lean, muscled arms and legs. A warm and willing cunt.

Yet now, all I want is Mia standing in my sleeping chamber, freshly bathed and bare beneath my robe.

"I am well. My meeting with Gantok is official palace business."

Her eyes narrow. "This is about that breeding slave. You would put her needs before mine?"

"A king puts the welfare of his most needy subjects first. Mia is a female under my protection who was abused by her captor. So, yes. At the moment, her welfare is more important than satisfying your sexual needs."

"The sooner she is well, the sooner she can beget you an heir, is that right?" Bayliss says with malice.

Her anger surprises me. I have made no promises to Bayliss; we have nothing more than a relationship of convenience. "You know that an heir is vital to securing our kingdom for the next generation of Owlfs."

"Yes, and I can see that you are not…excited…by the prospect of bedding her." She glances at my groin, her smile twisted.

Her disrespect of my fated mate angers my beast. "You are wrong. It is you who no longer excites me," I tell her cruelly.

"For now, perhaps." She closes the robe and secures the ties, then picks up my poison dagger, swishing it back and forth. It crosses my mind that my life might be in danger after all. "The human is a small and fragile creature, Ren. Even if she is able to conceive and carry your heir to term, she will likely die during the birth. Such a pity."

"Tread carefully, Bayless. You are speaking about the likely mother of my future child."

"Yes, and I understand that you do need her." Her eyes are cold, her tone calculating. "That is why I am willing to help you, despite your insult."

"Help me, how?"

"Have you forgotten that a bastard child will not be recognized in the royal line of succession?"

I did forget, although I hide the fact. How could I overlook such a small, yet important, detail? "What is your point?"

"My point is this: if you want your child to be a legitimate heir, you must coronate your queen before the breeding slave gives birth. I am ready to take my rightful place at your side, Ren, and willing to raise the child as my own."

Bayliss smiles triumphantly, thinking she will become my queen. I return her smile and open my arms. When she enters my embrace, I ease the dagger from her hand. A loud, firm knock on the entry door to my quarters signals the arrival of Gantok.

"The healer is here," I tell her, ending our contact. "It is time for you to get dressed and take your leave."

"When will you make the announcement?" she asks, beaming.

"Soon," I say, grateful that she has given me an answer to Mia's tearful question. "Very soon."