Part 661 – Hrrash Ka Kae

Isellta slept flat on his stomach with his wings spread out. The tips hung off the sides of the bed, but didn’t quite touch the floor.

He dreamed of straight lines that refused to be straight. They kept flipping upwards and bending backwards and forming letters.

R.

O.

B.

I.

N.

He kept taking the letters apart to make them straight and sensible.

It was impossible.

Those five letters were far from sensible. They curled. They bent. They twisted deliberately out of shape.

It was maddening.

He woke up out of breath and bothered by it all.

Just as Preyuna entered the room.

He quickly got out of bed and bowed. “Your Majesty.”

“Isellta.”

“What brings you here, Your Majesty?”

“Mark Caten.”

“Oh.”

“I have found a use for you and he has given me his permission.”

“Oh? What is it?”

She sighed. “You are the first member of my harem in this household.”

He gaped. “Me? Your Majesty, I…I’m not one of the lowborns, but you and I are not equals in any ranking.”

“I am aware of that, but it will protect you.”

He returned to the bed. “What do I have to do?”

“Hrrash ka kae.”

His wings flared out. “Your Majesty! I couldn’t. I can’t.”

“Just this one time and you’ll be safe. Mark Caten will not be able to lay a finger on you and neither will any of his minions.”

“But…” He twisted his fingers.

Why am I objecting?

What she is saying makes sense. It makes sense. I don’t want my wings broken again.

But.

It doesn’t make me happy.

Why?

She is beautiful.

She is my Queen.

She’s doing this to protect me.

I should feel honored.

“Well?”

“Will you expect me to do it again?”

“No. I am not Mark Caten. This one time will be enough to protect you.”

His wings flittered. “I don’t know what to do.”

“I do. Are you ready?”

“What? Now?”

“Yes. Now. Are you ready, Isellta?”

Mark Caten won’t be able to break my wings.

Mark Caten won’t be able to break my wings.

Mark Caten won’t be able to break my wings.

He swallowed hard and nodded.

“Good.” She raised her arms above her head into a graceful arc and danced.

There was no music.

Just the rhythm and beauty of her movements.

Isellta couldn’t help himself.

He rose to his feet and danced with her. His movements matched hers perfectly, as if they were Olympic pairs skaters at the top of their game.

***

Robin scanned every monitor as Antioch turned them on.

Isellta. Where are you?

Where are you?

Where—There!

He smiled.

There you are.

But who’s your dancing partner?

His smile fell as their dancing became more intimate with a whole lot of his wings deliberately bumping and touching her wings.

Her hands touching him.

“What. The. Heck?”

They danced closer to the bed.

Dangerously close.

Until they were both lying on it.

And they were not lying side by side.

“Rraaaah!” Robin punched the monitor with all of his strength.

The screen cracked and sparked out into blackness.

He punched it again and again and again.

stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid STUPID! Seriously. What the freakin’ heck? I slap him just one time and he goes sluttin’ off with some fey chick? What the heck, Isellta? What the heck?

“So?” Antioch smiled a kindly smile. “What was Favor #2?”

Robin glared at the broken monitor. “You know what? Don’t matter.” Have fun being a slut master, Isellta. I sure as heck ain’t comin’ for you. “You and I are gonna have some speaks with Missy. And don’t you even think of tickin’ me off. I’ll break your neck in half.”