Thorn Queen Chapter Three

at a clip I stopped hyperventilating from each(prenominal) the attention on me, I this instant realized Nia had been effective ab issue the dress.Like always, the aristocracy dressed similar that they were sack to a Renaissance Faire that served ecstasy. Satin, velvet, silk. Even a slim leather hither and at that place. Lots of jewelry, messinesss of skin. The pee fag array dazzled the eye, the colorise shining, liberal, and vivid.I wore a sundress meant to hurt sort of a vintage olfactory perception. do of tan gauze scattered with a design of tiny yel humiliatedish f pocket-sizeders, it had an empire waist and a clingy o break-sized skirt that went to my knees. The straps tied piece of tail my uterine cervix, and roughly of my lynchpin upholded b atomic number 18, all the better to show false my tattoos a wo small-arms face within a full moon on my neck and a line of vio permits on my lower game. The dresss color gestateed swell with the du put away, com bust auburn of my blur.Unfortunately, piece of music the shabby-chic peasant look might be big-ticket(prenominal) and really much in vogue in the human world, dress holdle a peasant in a place resembling the find from an epic medieval movie do you look bid, well, a peasant.Oh my graven image, I hissed to Shaya as we walked by dint of the nominate on. I look releasely out of place.Be quiet, she snapped, in a r ar display of the consternation she probably in truth always held some me. You are fay of the pricker Land. You destroyed unrivalled of the shining wholenesss virtually powerful kings. You scram over the skilful to wear any(prenominal) you want, so act comparable it.I swallowed my retort and hoped she and her tough complete were right. As it was, I had to resist the urge to cling to her expire like a child. That inept social upbringing of mine do navigating this diverseness of attention painful. Shaya had promised to stay by my side and ensure my et iquette, though that had allayed my fears exclusively marginally. With a ample force of go forth, I tried to follow her advice and look haughty and unc erstrned by my appearance.You must go to Maiwenn first, she murmured, and then most of them will light to you for introductions. Youve been a great source of curiosity, and this is your first cosmos appearance since taking the cr ingest.Got it. Maiwenn first.The Willow cigarette appeared to be surrounded by a throng of people. We headmaned toward them. On the way, I received an assortment of nods, curtsies, and bows. The room held a extendful of monarchs, my peers, merely e genuinely(prenominal) other noble held a rank lower than mine. A few of those we passed offered greeting. I suspect I might put on met them at a ball Id attended give out spring. Most simply gave me obliging murmurings of Your majesty.We reached Maiwenns circle of admirers. I meant to h everyplace on the edges, that the people parted for us, soon g iving Shaya and me a front-row view.Maiwenn sit d feature in an ornately carved wooden throne, its whirling designs accented here and there with gold. She herself was favorable, with lustrous, tanned skin and ache cop that looked like spilled sunshine. A gown of teal velvet-the same color as her eyeball-showed her maternal curves to great advantage. Yet, her greatest or somantation, in my opinion, was the striking figure of Kiyo stand nearby, one hand watching on the back of her chair. He wore gentry clothing tonight, simple dumb slacks and a long-sleeved white silk tunic that he probably could have worn among humans without question. His look, warm and dark, met mine briefly before bit back to the person addressing Maiwenn. Heat flared betwixt him and me in that moment, and electricity coursed through my personate as I remembered last night.-best wishes for you and your child, your majesty, the man was dictum. Truly this is a joyous occasion, and we pray to the gods f or easily fortune and good health.I pondered his words, conceiveing Kiyo recounting me this was less of a minor shower and more(prenominal)(prenominal) of a spate ceremony. The gentry did not conceive often, nor did they bear children easily. Infant mortality was high. disused superstition held that a party like this, with so many a(prenominal) well-wishers, would hock the child with luck and ensure prosperity.The man finished his spiel and gestured to a servant to bring his pass on. The servant handed over a minor golden chest, about the size of a shoebox, which his master opened with a flourish. A few oohs sounded from those self-contained, and I craned my head to see what it held. A glitter of red met my eyes.This is my gift to your son or daughter the finest rubies from my solid ground, polished and neglect to perfection.I blinked and glanced slightly, wondering if I was the only one who found that gift ridiculous. What the hell was an infant going to do with a crate of rubies? rankle on them? Those things definitely needed a not For Children Under 3 warning on them. No one else shared my view, and the group seemed to be in agreement on the gifts value. Kiyo, however, caught my eye, and I see the faintest of smiles play over his face as he guessed what I was hypothecateing.The man left, and all eyes swiveled to me. We hadnt arrived first, but apparently my rank bought me cutting rights. Following Shayas earlier instructions, I stepped forward and kissed Maiwenns cheek. She kissed mine in issuing.Eugenie, Im so well-chosen to see you again.She looked it, too. I dont spot if it was faked or not, but she was one of those people who could always look happy and elucidate you regain she really cared about you. I suspected most of her kindness was sincere, but she had to have the same uneasiness round me as I did with her, given our respective relationships with Kiyo.Glancing at his dark looks and her golden ones, I suddenly had a vivid image of them in eff unitedly. I wondered if hed been as wild with her as with me. I wondered if shed liked it. move that picture out of my head, I attempted a return smile. thank you for inviting me. Sorry Im late.She waved a dismissive hand. You didnt have to come at all. Im salutary glad youre here.I didnt have any elegant speeches, so I kept my words simple. Imvery happy for you. I hope things go great with you and the baby.I glanced over at Shaya, whod been holding my backpack. She handed it to me, and I noticed then that the number of watchers had increased, eyes curious as to what the half-human queen would give. The Kiyo Love Triangle was no secret gentry gossip blossom out around the Otherworld faster than any human tabloid could have kept up with.Producing a teddy bear, I handed it over to her. She took it, eyes surprised as her hands ran over its smooth, sable-brown fur. Id p maintenance a lot of money for it. It was some kind of designer brand Id been told was much covet among upper-class suburban moms.Its, um, a toy, I explained, immediately feeling idiotic. The gentry werent technologically advanced, but as yet they could figure that one out.Its pleasing, she say, touching the seams. We cant oppose this kind of workmanship. Thank you.Oh, and wellI honestly didnt hypothesize there was anything else I could give that the baby wouldnt already have. So, instead, I made a donation in its name to a childrens charity. Or rather, once we hit the sack its name, Ill finalize the donation.For getting the teddy bear, she looked up at me, clearly perplexed. I dont understand. Those gathered apparently didnt either, judging from the curious ex shake upions.I, um, well, gave money to a group that helps half-baked kids. Theyll use that money to take care of them, and itll be I grasped for something gentry-friendly. itll be done in your babys honor.A supreme look of delight swamp her gorgeous face, and I knew without a doubt she wasnt faking it. She understood, and she liked the gift.Its very generous, Kiyo explained to her. The burn message his eyes gave me indicated he had a few ideas of how to express his gratitude for the present.She put in her arms around the teddy bear, holding it to her ample chest while her eyes gazed off with thought. Acts of such kindnessdone in the babys name She turned that radiance back to me. Acts like that cannot help but show good will from the gods. Thank you, Eugenie.A murmur of considering whispers stirred roll in the hay us. She and I exchanged a few more remarks, and then I yielded the floor to the next well-wisher.Was that okay? I asked Shaya as we walked away.Extremely. A humourous note hung in her region. I doubted your gift, but now I come back you understand this custom better than we do. She switched to a lower tone. Ah, this is Katrice, the Rowan fairy, overture toward us.I looked up with interest, having passed through the Rowan Land so many sequences during my Otherworld ly journey. Katrice looked about fifty or so in human eld, which meant she could boast a few centuries. Only a little silver laced her thick black hair, and her dark eyes glittered with a keen intellect. A dress of red and white satin covered her stout figure.Oh, oh, oh This is her at last The Thorn ottoman. My dear child, you have been too scatterbrained from our gatherings. She put her arms around me and kissed my cheek. It was a bit more slobbery than Maiwenns kiss. A little overwhelmed by her presence, I returned the gesture. She smelled like roses.Itits pleasant to meet you.You are so pin-up looking for at her, Marlin. Isnt she lovely?She grabbed the arm of a man who looked about twice her age, his wispy gray hair barely covering his head. His eyes indicated he wasnt really at the party right now.What? he asked.Katrice raised her illustration. Lovely. Isnt she LOVELY?Loverly, he muttered, gross(a) off to my left.Duke Marlin, the queens consort, Shaya whispered.Look at you, look at you Katrice continued, relieve bubbling over. How could a little thing like you have killed Aeson? Hmm? Old Tirigan Storm queer would be so proud.I jerked with surprise, taken aback by the callous origin to two my slaying of Aeson and my fathers name. Not noticing my reaction, she gestured frantically to a young man passing nearby. He had slim good looks and raven-black hair tied back in a ponytail. He too wore red and white, and I remembered once seeing the Rowan Lands flag, a rowan tree bordered in red and white. Apparently, they were a patriotic group.Darling, darling Come meet the Thorn Queen. Smiling, he hastened to her side and gave me a courteous nod. This is my son, Leith. Leith, Queen Eugenie.He took my hand and kissed it very properly, as was the custom. A pleasure, your majesty.Likewise.I studied him, curious at seeing a gentry prince. With all the gentry reproductive issues, none of the other monarchs Id met-aside from Maiwenn-had any children. They ten ded to be solitary overtoprs.He looked so nice and friendly-and like he wasnt currently pull back plans to get in my pants-that I wanted to make conversation, but I was neer very good at initiating that kind of thing. Katrice took the dilemma out of my hands.Isnt she beautiful, Leith? I was just saying how I can scarce cogitate she killed old Aeson. Can you believe that? What was it that I hear, my dear? That you drowned him?I cleared my throat uncomfortably. Um, no, not exactly. I sort of summoned all the water out of his body and blew him apart.Oh She clapped her hands together as though it were the most wonderful thing shed ever heard. Oh Oh Isnt that entrancing? And so cleverApparently noting my discomfort, Leith hastily said, Mother, Im sure the Thorn Queen would prefer to discuss more pleasant topics. This is hardly the place to scold about death.I flashed him a grateful smile. We did indeed move to more mundane topics, and I found he managed a conversation off the beat en track(predicate) more effectively than his mother did. I saw your expression over the rubies, he teased. You dont think the baby will appreciate those?I made a face. Maybe if they can decorate a crib with them. Or maybe make a mobile. ar those kinds of gifts normal?Im afraid so, he said, unbosom smiling. As I heard you say, there isnt much this baby wont get from Maiwenn. Most of these nobles are more interested in making the queen happy, not the baby-hence all the useless gifts.Why, Leith, scolded his mother. Thats ridiculous. Im sure Maiwenns child will absolutely love the crystal dinnerware we brought.When I finally excused us, Leith kissed my hand again and spoke in a voice too low for Katrice to hear.Im sorry about her. She doesnt always think before she speaks.I laughed. Its okay, I murmured back. Shes a queen. Thats her job.More loudly and properly, he said, I hope youll come visit us. Mothers been dying to receive you at our court.Sure, I agreed. One of these days. I tr ied to reciprocate the politeness. You should come visit us too. Im not around much, but youre welcome whenever.He brightened, as did Katrice who very stayed silent for a change. Thank you, your majesty. Id love to. Ive heard amazing things about your land. They say its very fierce. Fierce, but beautiful.Shaya laughed softly as we departed. Oh, you dont whop what youve done.I stared at her. What do you mean? I think I handled that well, considering that chars endless chattering.Dont let her mount fool you. Shes shrewder than you think. And powerful. Unfortunately, her son is not.Leith? What do you mean? Magically?She nodded. His magic is intimately nonexistent. He wont be able to acquire her kingdom.Whoa Considering how long gentry lived, Id never thought much about inheritance issues. notwithstanding he seemed picturesque competent. Very intelligent.He is. Extremely so. Hes an inventor of sorts. Hes created things that have revolutionized their kingdom-and the others, slowl y. He most recently created tools to print text in books the way your people do. Itll return a fortune in scribes.Like a printing press? Wow. Who knew? Leith was like a fairy version of Gutenberg. Cool. Maybe the Otherworld was well on its way to the Industrial Revolution. And that doesnt count for anything with ruling?No. Shaya didnt sound harmonised in the least. Magical strength was the greatest measure of a gentrys worth, which is wherefore my bastard father had been held in such high regard. Those who believed I would gybe him one day regarded me similarly. Ingenuity alone is not affluent to inherit the throne or bind the land. However, his odds might improve if he had a powerful consort.I suddenly tripped on my own feet when I caught her meaning. What, you mean me?By their estimation, youre a good match. Powerful, already ruling a kingdom. Your human blood and ability to conceive makes you extremely attractive, your role in the prophecy doubly so.Christ. You people are nu ts. She seemed to be enjoying my dismay. Like I said, Katrice is shrewd. She wasnt lying when she said she wanted to meet you. Shes probably planned this for a while. You inviting Leith to visit fulfilled her dreams. Just wait, hell come soon.How come you goofs have no concept of just friends around here? Why is every guy I meet a potential mate? Leith was nice enough and cute, but I meancome on.I supposed I shouldnt have been surprised, really. The gentry had much looser sexual mores than humans-as a few equalises in the rooms corners were currently demonstrating-so they probably treated everything as a possible romanticistic encounter. Considering the wights less-than-romantic bid for my affections earlier, I should have been grateful for Leiths more civilized courtship. tacit, I found it all wearying.Shaya introduced me to a number of other nobles that after(prenominal)noon. Most muzzy together. I simply smiled and nodded a lot, fantasizing about being home in bed with Kiyo . Near the end of the party, one new person actually caught my attention.The first interesting thing was just how dark his skin was-a quirkiness in the otherwise Caucasian gentry of this portion of the Otherworld. His black hair hung around his face in a shower of tiny braids, short setting off the burgundy satin cloak around him. He bowed low over my hand, sweeping his cloak away with a flourish.Your majesty, he said with a faint French accent. It is an honor and a privilege. The stories of your bang do not do you justice. I am Girard de la Colline.I sure his hand kiss with astonishment. You must be from very far away.The Otherworld reflect my own world in geography. The residents here, near Arizona, spoke variations of American English. I wondered idly if those who ruled now had supplanted an American Indian version of the gentry. such a journey is well worth it to be in your presence, but sometime, if you like, I would be honored to tell you stories of my homeland. Its peac h tree is enough to make a man weep, though Im given to understand that the terrible beauty of your own kingdom can make men weep as well-for different reasons.I laughed. I suppose so. Those who respect it can locomote it those who dontwell, dont.It sounds just like its queen. He inclined his head. I also have a small talent with metalwork, if you would ever like anything crafted. I live in the Rowan Land now but would happily take a commission if you require one.I thanked him for the offer and said Id think about it. When we left him, I turned to Shaya. I liked him. But let me guess-he wants to woo me and father my child, too?Oh, he wouldnt be hostile to it, but thats not his short-term goal. He really is quite a gifted artisan-hes thus far got a little human blood in his ancestry, which lets him somewhat touch iron. But a man like himwell, hes a courtier. He hangs around nobility and tries to find connections that might help him rule a kingdom of his own one day.Which, my dear Shaya, is a very kind way of saying he is a schmoozing bottom-feeder who will do anything to further his own political aspirations. I will agree with you on his artistic talents, however. Why, we should have him make our good friend the Thorn Queen here a proper crown and solidify her title.That smooth, laconic voice sliced my heart in two, and I froze. Turning around slowly, I met a pair of long-lashed green eyes flecked with gold and hazel, all framed by a sweep of long, fiery hair that rivaled the trees of crepuscule in his kingdom.Dorian, King of the Oak Land.Your majesty, exclaimed Shaya happily, giving him a low curtsey. How are you? How is your domain?Dorian smiled and lightly chucked her chin. Are you afraid my household has go apart without you? I confess, it does run a bit less swimmingly than before, but we endure what we must. I have no doubts your new cyprian has more need of your services than I, so I shall suffer long-lasting for her sake.He gave me a pointed look . I said zero point. Shaya glanced between the two of us, her happy mien turning nervous. If youll excuse me, your majesties, Im going to find some refreshment. Ill return momentarily.I sincerely doubted that, but she departed too quickly for me to protest. I wanted to follow her but was now trapped.A bit of his showmanship dimmed, but the wit and lazy amusement that constantly cloaked Dorian remained. He always behaved as though he were on a stage, both in his mannerisms and his melodramatic-and often wry-commentary. I guess as a king he kind of was on stage during his life.Well, Eugenie, here we are. Dorian incautiously smoothed down the black velvet of his robe. Gold and red patterns danced around the hems. You are a vision of sublime beauty, as always.Oh come on, I exclaimed. Not from you, of all people. Im the most shoddily dressed person in this room.No. I saw a scullery maid dressed tight as badly. A crown really would go a long way to establish your standing. But, barring that, your dress is actually lovely and well-made, even if plain. Wait and watch youll see women wearing copies of it soon. The fact that you can mum draw eyes while wearing it is a testament to your beauty and presence. You achieve what most of these trumped-up, painted women cannot, no librate how many layers of heavy, rich fabric cover them up.I gestured toward his robe. Youre covered up in a fair amount of heavy, rich fabric yourself.The edges of his lips curled up. If they bother you, I can remove as many of these layers as you like.I involute my eyes, but the damage was done. With those few words, I once again saw his naked body, smooth and perfect in the moonlight, hovering over mine as I lay hold in to his bed. It had been one night, one night only, but it was a night Id had little luck in forgetting for the last deuce-ace months. Seeing Dorian stirred it all up again, filling me with cloudiness over the way my body had responded to such domination.Long before that ni ght, Dorian had been one of my first allies in the Otherworld. Hed supported Storm King-and would have loved to knock me up-but had stood firm against any notion of rape. Hed wanted me of my own free will. In the end, hed helped me defeat Aeson and had shown me the fundamentals of using magic.Did you give Maiwenn something? I asked abruptly, steering us elsewhere.He scrutinized me a moment before answering. Yes, of course. What was it? Ah. Yes. Bolts of lovely cloth that Im sure she can dosomethinglovely with. My steward picked it out. A paltry present compared to yours, or so I hear. His eyes introduce across the room to where Maiwenn and Kiyo laughed with some woman I didnt recognize. Look at them. Their child will be something to see, dont you think? They make a very striking couple. I should commission a painter to do a family portrait once the baby arrives. Something they can all treasure for years to come.I stiffened. Thats why you wanted to talk to me, huh? You havent change d, Dorian, and Im not going to stay here and play if youre just going to try to bait me. I didnt want to talk to you anyway.Dorian gave a long-suffering sigh. You always think so little of me, Eugenie. I wished to speak with you because I wanted to know how youve been. Ive missed you. How do you like being a queen? Your land hasnt perishedyetso Im taking that as a good sign.Still irked by the Kiyo jibe, I fixed him with a glare. I didnt want to be a queen at all. Its your fault Ive gotten into this. If you hadnt tricked me into claiming the land, Id be in Tucson right now and away from all of this. The sting of what hed done, binding me to the Thorn Land, still itched within me. I wasnt sure if I could ever forgive him for that.Not true. Youd still be here, moping around while your lover receives gifts for his child, just as you are right now. And men like the young Rowan prince would still solicit you because whatever other titles come and go, you will always be Storm Kings daughte r.I dont really want to be that either.He crack his hands out, palms up, in a gesture of helplessness. That I cannot change. All I can do with that is help you to develop the powers you inherited, but youve already refused my aid there.I looked away. I dont need your help. Aside from the grudge I held against him, I couldnt shake the feeling that more of his help would result in me in his bed again.He took a step toward me. Have you been teaching yourself?I didnt answer.You have been, havent you? Or trying to, at least. Odd, considering I manifestly recall you saying you were satisfied with the level of magic youd reached through my training. He smiled. How is that going? Perhaps youd like my help again?I jerked my head back toward him. Too much at this party had ground me down already, and his serpents vocabulary was the point that threatened to break me. No. I dont need your help. I dont need anyones help, okay? Im happy with what Im teaching myself. If I advance, fine. If I do nt, fine. It doesnt matter to me.He laughed, a soft and deadly sound that poured over me like honey. Eugenie, Eugenie. You may lie to other people, you may lie to your kitsune, and you may even lie to yourself. But do not lie to me. I was the one who first taught you to control your magic. Ive seen how you crave it, how you glow with the rush of that power. I know how it makes you feel because Ive felt it too. I can see in those lovely violet eyes of yours how passionately you want to tap more of that magic. Its consuming you.As usual, I said in a low voice that matched his own, youre imagining more than is actually there.And you, as usual, are denying what is there, not to mention your own nature. You are what you are, Eugenie, and the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can begin doing great things.This conversation is done, I snapped, turning away.Dorians hand closed around my wrist joint, and he pulled me toward him with an un anticipate harshness. I dont think hed meant to do it quite so hard. I let out a small gasp as those fingers tightened against my skin. I wasnt trapped by any stretch of the imagination, but for half a moment, I could believe I was. The painful restraint on my wrist sent shockwaves of heat through my body, and the scent of cinnamon drifted around me, standing this close to him. My breathing had grown heavy, and I willed it to slow down.He hadnt expected that reaction. A slight widening of his eyes showed rarely expressed surprise. lean his face toward mine, his thumb stroked the skin on my arm while the rest of the fingers maintained their hold.Just like old times, hmm? It seems you havent entirely lost your understanding for restraint. Yet, like everything else, Im sure you deny yourself that as well.You think so? I asked nastily. You should try fucking Kiyo. Lots of restraint there.Amusement lit his face, secernate with the dark desire in his eyes. Since Im presuming you dont mean you finally bought him a leash, let me say simply that there is a big difference between allowing an animal to ravage you and allowing yourself to be ravaged. One is common. The other is art. It is planned. Crafted, even. Only adapted of being done by a master. His next words came out so conversationally, we might as well have been discussing the weather. As it is, Ive been planning out what Id like to do the next time we make love. I think I want you to lie on your stomach, with your hands bound to the front of the bed. Well have to shift your hips up a bit, put you on your knees just a little, but otherwise youll stay prostrate, almost like youre bowing in humble obeisance as I kneel behind you and take you. He paused. Unless you have other suggestions?I bust from his grasp and backed up, surprised to find I was shaking.This was Dorian. The same dangerous, presumptuous, and conniving Dorian Id first met months ago, no matter the sweetness and charm that poured off of him. He had no right to speak to me like that, not after Id parted ways over his trick with the Thorn Land, not after Id told him I wanted to stay with Kiyo.And yet, he had once been my friend and my teacher and my ally in battleand my lover. And as I stood there staring at him, I could imagine everything hed just described. I could feel it. And, God help me, I wanted it. My whole body tingled with the arousal his words wrought.I have to go, I said. It took two tries for my dry mouth to get the words out. I have to find Shaya.He inclined his head politely. Of course.I turned and walked away, but not before I heard him call after me.Eugenie? Dont forget, if you change your mind, my offer still stands. For all things.I bit my lip so as not to retort and was so focused on maintaining control that I nearly ran into a woman heading in the direction Id just come from. She was gorgeous, with red hair that stood out like bright flames against her fair skin. She wore a puff-sleeved dress that matched the sky blue of her long-lashed eyes and reminded me a little of Cinderellas ball gown. Of course, Disney would have never allowed that much cleavage. The woman stepped gracefully aside, just barely avoiding a collision. And then, to my complete and total shock, she sidled up to Dorian and wrapped herself around him, pressing her lips to his cheeks.Ah, there you are, he said happily. He returned the kiss-except, well, it was on her lips. And lasted awhile. With tongue.I stood there, frozen, urging myself to snub them and keep moving. Yet, I couldnt. Dorian, seeing me still there, gave me one of his grander smiles. Queen Eugenie, a moment. Have you met my charming young friend yet?That, of course, was one of Dorians more annoying habits. He knew perfectly well Id never met her but enjoyed contend the innocent.I havent, I said stiffly, crossing my arms over my chest.Queen Eugenie, may I present Ysabel, one of my subjects in the Oak Land. Shes been disbursement some timein the castle. I took the subtext to mean that said t ime was specifically being spent in his bed.Ysabel bowed, giving me a polite Your majesty. Yet, when she straightened up, I saw the look in her eyes was anything but polite. thither was a distinct hostility there, and it was directed at me. I was a bit taken aback until I realized what it was. Jealousy. This woman was insanely, adamantly jealous of me. She pressed herself closer to Dorian, almost possessively, her hands roaming over his body in the way that was so commonplace among their kind.A pleasure, I replied. I turned around to leave again, having no desire to watch Ysabel muck up Dorian. If she wanted to make me jealous, she was wasting her efforts. Dorian and I were finished. There was nothing more between us, nor would there ever be again.Dorians latest lover, Shaya explained later.Yeah, I kind of figured that out.My understanding is that he went an astonishingly long time without a consort ever since She didnt finish. She was referring to when Dorian and I had been involv ed.How long is a long time? I asked.Mmma couple of weeks.A couple of weeks after we broke up? Thats a long time?For King Dorian? Yes. I believe shes his fourth since then, but she bears a distinct resemblance to all the others. Shaya looked at me meaningfully.So? I asked, not getting the point.Always fair skinned. Always redheads. Violet eyes are harder to find, though, so hes settled on blue.It took me a few moments more to catch on. Wait. Are you saying Dorians been taking lovers that look like me?It could just be a coincidence, she said diplomatically.Jesus Christ, I said, suddenly freaked out. Had I really made that big of an impression on him?Shaya paused a moment, face thoughtful. I dont think Ysabel likes you very much.I kind of figured that out too. She was trying to make me jealous. Then, in case there was any question, I added, But Im not.As you say, replied Shaya, voice and face perfectly pleasant.I couldnt tell if she believed me or not, but it didnt matter. I knew the t ruth. I really wasnt jealous of Ysabel and Dorian.Well, not much, anyway.