Pet's Pleasure (27 page)

“I did lie about Starling. That is the only thing I lied about. The title and properties are yours. I know of no other who deserves them more.”

Furielle gave an excited cry as she launched herself at Bekion and hugged his neck. She pulled away and then dropped into a curtsy. “Forgive, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to—”

“Rise, Furielle. I am not angry.” He helped her to her feet. “I also meant my request. I hope you will stay by my side, by Starling’s side. I do not command it. The choice is yours.”

“I want to be in no other place.”

“I’m glad for that.”

Rois said, “You can stop bowing to Vieve, Furielle…excuse me, Lady Furielle. You and Vieve are the same rank now. In fact, Lord Schel now has to bow to you. That should be interesting to see.”

Furielle covered her flaming cheeks. “I am not used to a title yet, Sir Rois. Please don’t call me lady.”

“The only way to get used to the title is to use it,
Lady
Furielle.” He winked at her.

Bekion wanted to join in the banter but couldn’t. Mention of Tinette’s secretary soured his mood. He looked at his arm cuff, expecting to see a message there regarding Starling. The cuff was blank.

That must mean she still slept. He would return to her.

He had settled everything. Aurelan was gone. No one suspected Starling of being his lover any longer. That distinction and the accompanying jealousy would be heaped on Furielle. Having her act as his open favorite also left Bekion free to ignore his maids, something he had wanted to do since meeting Starling.

No other moved his lust but her. He didn’t want to embrace another woman so long as Starling welcomed him. Thinking of her warmth drew him back to his chambers.

Rois jogged after him. “Bekion?”

“Let us return.”

“Of course.”

Furielle caught up to them. She clasped Bekion’s hand, giving him an anxious look.

He squeezed her fingers. From now on, he had to remember the ruse he had perpetrated. He planned to inform Starling as soon as possible so the act wouldn’t upset her, not that he and Furielle would do much. He had never played for the public. Starting would show his ruse for the lie it was. However, he would not change his public attitude toward Starling either.

His steps faltered once he turned down his private hallway. Tinette stood blocking the way. She was the last person he wanted to see. He resolved to ignore her. Urging Furielle forward, he walked past Tinette without acknowledging her.

“Bekion.” Tinette said his name in a flat voice devoid of all emotion.

He stopped walking but didn’t face her. He couldn’t stand to look at Tinette. Though the majority of the guilt lay solely with him, Tinette deserved her fair share as well.

Furielle released his hand and whispered, “I will be inside.”

Rois signaled the guards away. “I will guard the hall entrance so you are undisturbed.” He bowed and then left quickly.

Bekion watched them leave and wanted to follow Furielle. He didn’t move.

Tinette said in a soft voice, “I know you’re angry. You have every right to be.”

“I have other things to attend to, M…” He trailed off with a shaky breath. He couldn’t bring himself to call her mother. His tongue refused to form the word. Her name wasn’t even a possibility.

She walked around so she stood face-to-face with him.

Bekion stared over her head.

“I’m sorry.”

He snapped his gaze down to her. He didn’t know what emotion showed in his eyes but Tinette stepped back from him with a muted gasp.

He asked in a cold voice, “You think a simple apology will fix this? You think I care if you’re sorry?”

“I know I am the cause of this. I know that, Bekion. I never wanted Kuru—”

“Don’t speak his name!”

She nodded quickly. “I knew what he was like but I thought… I hoped a little more attention would solve it. I tried.”

“Yes, I’m very aware of what you consider trying to be.” He walked around her.

“I’m leaving.”

He stopped with his hand on his doorknob and looked at her. “What?”

She straightened her shoulders and repeated in a firmer voice, “I’m leaving. I’m going to Haig. It’s time. My presence here… You don’t want me here. I cannot guess why you haven’t exiled me as you did…” She sighed. “I know I didn’t handle your father’s departure well. What I did to you and to… What I did was unforgivable. I’m only happy that you have turned out so well in spite of me. Panagiota is in good hands.”

He faced her fully. “You know where Haig is?”

“I’ve always known. I couldn’t let him leave unless I knew I would be able to find him whenever I needed him.”

“You never told me.”

“You’re a trusted monarch of the emperor. Though I had wished it otherwise, you are also very honorable. A quality most monarchs lack only because it is a liability. You wouldn’t have allowed yourself to be considered a top monarch if you felt you weren’t worthy of it. That would have made Udo suspicious of us all.” She shook her head. “It was best I kept the knowledge of Haig’s whereabouts to myself and let you think him lost.”

“You think I’m honorable? I lied to my kingdom and named Furielle as a favored lover when I have only touched her a handful of times. How can you say I’m honorable, even after
sullying
myself with my pet? Those were your words, weren’t they?”

“Tell Starling I am sorry for what happened to her. I am not sorry for purchasing her, however. Her capture had nothing to do with me but I’m happy it happened. Her presence has done so much.” A wavering smile curved Tinette’s lips. “I’ve never seen you so happy as when you’re with her. I feared you were growing cold and distant—that you would rule without emotion.”

She reached for him. He stood still and let her touch his cheek.

Love and pride shined on Tinette’s face as she looked at him. “You do look so much like your father, Bekion. Your expressions are so similar. That’s why I recognized it when I saw it.”

“Recognized what?”

“You look at her the way Haig always looked at me. Seeing you two together made me angry only because I missed him so much.” She stepped back, lowering her hand. “Jealousy prompted me to turn a blind eye to all of
his
little machinations. She is an innocent and didn’t deserve what happened to her. I’m happy she has you to help her heal. Also, she will recover much faster if I’m not here.”

Tinette swept her gaze over his face once more before turning her back on him. She let out a breath and then walked away.

Bekion said in a soft voice, “I couldn’t banish you.”

She stopped and glanced back at him. “Excuse me?”

“You’re my mother. I couldn’t banish you. It may not have been in a way I wanted but you loved me to the best of your ability.”

“I still do love you, Bekion. I love both of my sons. Because of that love, I leave Kuruk to his exile and leave you to your kingdom.” She continued walking.

Rois bowed to her as Tinette passed him.

Bekion didn’t know how to react. He had banished Kuruk and Aurelan, and to a certain extent Morn as well. Tinette exiled herself to be with Haig. Bekion’s family was gone. That left only Starling and his future bride, whoever she turned out to be.

He wouldn’t think about it. A bride was the furthest thing from his mind.

He entered his chambers and surprise stopped him once more.

Starling stood amidst the servants. They fussed over her clothing and hair. Webber said something in a low voice that Bekion didn’t catch. It brought Bekion to Starling’s attention and she faced him. She looked equal parts embarrassed and worried.

He went to one knee and opened his arms to her. She made a small mewing sound as she ran to him and jumped into his arms. He hugged her as tight as she hugged him. Her warmth and sweet scent returned everything to stability for him. He kissed the top of her head. “You should be sleeping.”

“I’m not tired.”

He pulled back with a soft laugh. “How is that possible? I’m exhausted. You should be more so.”

Starling’s embarrassment returned. She ducked her head.

Bekion put a single finger under her chin and raised her head so her lips met his.

She pulled back and pushed at him. “Bekion, the others.”

“Ignore them.” He kissed her again.

She warmed to the kiss after a moment’s hesitation. She pressed her body against his and searched his mouth as he searched hers.

Vieve cleared her throat behind Bekion.

He broke the kiss with an annoyed groan.

Starling said, “You can ignore her too.”

“I don’t think such a feat is possible.” He gave her one final kiss and then stood, facing Vieve. “What do you have for me now?”

She held out a tablet to him.

He took it but didn’t look at it. “What is this?”

Vieve grinned at him. “Tinette’s parting gift. She said to have it delivered to you as soon as she boarded her ship.”

Bekion accessed the information the tablet held and skimmed over the many entries. Tinette’s secrets. Every tidbit she’d ever collected in her years as Panagiota’s queen, entered and annotated for his convenience.

Vieve said, “You can hold the empire hostage with this information, as she did. Udo could never touch you.”

He exited the data and shoved the tablet at her. “Get rid of it.”

“You’re not serious?” She shook her head at him and waved the tablet. “No. I absolutely refuse. I won’t. You cannot make me.”

Bekion pushed at the tablet to get Vieve to stop waving it in his face. “Lock it in the bottommost vault of the palace. I don’t want to see it again.”

Vieve let loose a thankful sigh. “Well, at least you’re not completely stupid. I thought you wanted me to delete it.”

He grinned at her. “No, I’m not that stupid or that naïve. That information will come in handy one day, I’m sure. Until then, I won’t burden myself with the knowledge. Even the little bit I read is too much.”

As much as he wanted to keep reading, he knew where it led. Little by little he was becoming the type of monarch he never wanted to be. He was mirroring Tinette.

Every day he found another reason why certain laws didn’t pertain to him as they did to his subjects. If he allowed himself to read the tablet, to make that knowledge part of himself, he would find a way to justify never following another one of Gorov’s laws ever again.

Panagiota deserved better. He had vowed to be better when he assumed the throne. With the exception of his new relationship with Starling, he planned to be a shining example of what a true monarch should be. Hubris and ego spurred the hope for something so lofty but such a goal kept him honest.

He took the tablet back from Vieve. With a few quick typed commands, he locked out the contents.

Vieve said, “You know I can bypass that if I wish.”

“I’m not worried about you, Vieve. You have knowledge enough to bring down the entirety of the universe if you so choose.” He handed it back to her. “To the vault.”

“Where it will stay until you need it. You have my word.”

“Now if I could have your word to never barge into my chambers again, I would be truly happy.”

“Come now, Bekion. A little surprise and excitement every now and then is good for you.”

He snorted. “Thank you for delivering this.”

Starling asked, “What does Vieve mean? Where is Tinette going?”

“She went into self-exile for her part in your attack. Also Kuruk, Cavell and Aurelan have been banished from the entirety of Panagiota. The man who supplied the aphrodisiac is prohibited from setting foot on this side of the planet ever again. Your most pressing threats are gone.” Bekion stroked her cheek with the back of his finger.

She turned into his hand and gave him a smile.

He glanced at Furielle and then back at Starling. “I have lied to my people, Starling. The lie is something you must know.”

“What?”

“I named Furielle as my favored lover.”

Furielle said quickly, “Only to protect you, Lady Starling. It is pretend. My constant presence here means he will not be expected to call any other.”

“Oh. That’s it?” Starling’s tone didn’t sound concerned or even interested.

Bekion said, “Yes. I granted Furielle a title and lands but one has nothing to do with the other. She was nearby at the time.”

Webber grumbled, “You could have given me a title. Starling has one. I want one too.”

“I name you a knight of Panagiota then, Webber.” Bekion delivered that decree in an offhand manner. He didn’t mind granting it. Webber had proved more than once that he could handle himself.

Nausic stepped forward and bowed. “I wish to remain Lady Starling’s guard. You appointed me because of my history with her greatest threat but I wish to retain my position, King Bekion. I will not make another mistake as I did this last time.”

Bekion said, “Be easy, Nausic. I have no intention of reassigning your duties. You know Starling best. A new guard would make a mistake because he lacked that knowledge. You and Webber both are charged with keeping her safe.”