The same day we returned to Cinder, several thousand Lyriks visited our people. Thirty of them boarded in the Spire. In their presence, the soldiers and even Korac struggled to focus on diplomatic matters. The race of beautiful women with black skin and feathers varying in shades of fire proved quite a distraction. Their self-grown blue armor provided enticing entertainment.

To everyone but my brother. Xelan excused himself the moment dinner ended. After kissing our trembling mother, he waved. "Good night, all."

One Lyrik stared after him as he left. Korac caught her curious gaze with a wink. Lyriks could blush. A flattering orange flared her cheeks.

Although I enjoyed the entertainment of their songs and dances, my mind kept drifting to the people of Lacceirus-Capra. To the fear. Was it wrong to enjoy it? To take pleasure from their shivering, whimpering tears?

Korac nudged me, and I glanced at him. He nodded toward the blushing orange-feathered Lyrik he took an interest in. When our gazes locked, she pointed two fingers at us and one at herself.

I dropped my fork along with my jaw.

Father belted out an unpleasant laugh from the head of the table. "Not him, precious. Never him."

I don't always appreciate this perfect memory of ours. I'd like to forget I ran from the table to avoid the confusion and embarrassment. I wasn't ashamed that I lived over a million years up to this point without knowing a woman. Or a man, for that matter. I couldn't touch or receive touch. As long as I didn't know what I was missing, how could I miss it? But... sometimes... I didn't feel normal.

I stared at the cavernous black ceiling and contemplated my virginity, unable to sleep. Two hours into it, the panel in my wall moved.

"Not now, Xelan. I'm tired--"

"Prince Nox?"

I bolted up on my feet faster than the Lyrik in my room could see. "How did you get in here?"

Her breath hitched, but she recovered masterfully. "Your father told me of the passage."

"Mentioning him does nothing for your case." I laid back on my bed and ordered with a wave, "Get out."

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Orange feathers ruffled. "King Umbra threatened me."

I peeked at her through the arm over my eyes. "What sort of threat?"

"Seduce you or I am to suffer under him." She rolled her black eyes and folded her arms, unhappy.

I sighed. Hard. "Tell him you were successful. Take whatever evidence you need." I pointed to the wardrobe. "Underclothes are in there."

I closed my eyes and listened for her to leave. To say I couldn't wait for Umbra to endure his comeuppance was an understatement--

My mattress dipped as the Lyrik climbed onto my bed. I swore the blue leather armor she wore inched shorter.

"What the fuck do you think--"

"I need this evidence." She reached between my legs.

I bolted up to stop her hand, losing ten minutes. We stared into each other's eyes while my heart pounded in my chest. This was a conflicting moment, but I didn't want to experience my first time with someone under threat by my father.

"You need not--"

"But I want to." She pulled her hand from my gentle grip and brushed it through her feathers. "I wanted to at dinner. I want to now. Prince Nox, you make quite the specimen of the Icarean male. You intrigue me."

I swallowed. "You said King Umbra threatened you."

She shrugged. "With what I already wanted to do."

Was this it, then? A million years of celibacy wrung out under this strange circumstance. What about the "leash?" The contact--

"Limit how much you touch me."

She frowned prettily. "Whyever for?"

"Consider it a game."

She smirked with a mischievous gleam in her black eyes. "Do I win a prize?"

Her enthusiasm was infectious. I grinned shyly with her. "May I know your name?"

She raised her chin. "Gale." After the Lyrik let out a sweet, feminine laugh, she observed, "New to this?"

I cast my eyes downward. "Gale."

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Take your evidence as you see fit, but remember our game."

Gale's posture shifted into one of seductive confidence. Her ample breasts heaved. She emphasized the curve at the small of her back. Her blue armor receded until nothing remained.

Forced to attend the consummation ceremonies, I wasn't new to the nude female form. However, as I'm sure you know, it's much more appealing when the woman desires you.

"Lay back, Prince Nox. Let us play this game."

I'll spare you the details. Gale helped me find pleasure for the first time, but even the foreplay proved too much for the "leash." It diminished by one entire week.

"Stop! No more contact."

Gale lifted her head up from my lap. "Sire?"

I shook my head. "I cannot express my regret enough to you, but we must stop."

She gripped me in her warm hand. My eyes rolled into the back of my head. But the "leash" lost another day.

Sitting up, I grabbed her arms roughly. "I said 'stop.'" I threw her to floor. The "leash" gained that day back.

An abyss will open for you one day, Rayne, where you have the option to torment another to gain more time. The first time, you may do I as I did. I apologized and led Gale back out of my room.

But the possibility will continue to open to you. I could have beaten Gale to death alone in my chambers to satisfy my needs. No one would stop me.

Deep black seduction. The purest evil. Cruelty for your gain. Temptation after temptation. So much easier than killing beasts. Certainly, less soul-marking than destroying planets.

What will you do? How long will you deny it?