My nostrils flared. “That’s how you want to play this? Because who I sleep with is none of your business.”
He stood from his chair and placed one of his palms on the table, leaning forward toward me. The druid sneered and continued using his fruit as a pointer. “It’s no different than you playing me. So, tell me something, your majesty. Did you fuck him before you crawled into my bed? Or did you go running to him afterward?”
The Overlords standing around me stiffened—except for Lord Belshazzar. He must not have told them.
My lips pinched. “I wasn’t playing you. I am more than free to sleep with whomever I wish—the same as Lord Belshazzar and you. I cannot help, nor did I even know about, the animosity between you two.” I snapped my right hand through the air in an attempt to salvage this situation to our benefit. I tried not to think of the shock that this would give all of the Overlords—and hoped one, in particular, would keep his cool at this revelation. “And you can quit pretending you don’t remember me. You knew damn well I found you attractive when you invited me to your room.”
Master Niallan’s blink was extremely slow. He peered back and forth between Lord Belshazzar and me, watching as the lord merely shrugged one shoulder in apparent agreement. And, just as unhurriedly, he sat his ass down on his chair.
A little smirk lifted the corners of Master Niallan’s lips. “Yes, well, that last part is true, at least. I did recognize you when I saw you at the King Challenge. It took me a moment. But I did remember the youth who once tried to seduce me.” He raised a blond eyebrow. “You were too young for me then, but you aren’t now.”
I kept my expression upset—unlike the relief that coursed through my body from his use of the word ‘now.’ All was not completely ruined. I shook my head, muttering, “I fucking knew you remembered me.” I’d hoped he hadn’t, but it was wishful thinking.
His full lips twitched in humor. “If I remember correctly, you tried so hard, too.”
I held up a quick, stopping hand. “Please don’t mention that incident again. I was merely a child, and it was mortifying.”
He winked. “My lips are sealed. I can be a gentleman on occasion.” The druid actually had been, never mentioning it once until I did.
“Thank fuck,” I mumbled. Then I changed topics and gestured at the bananas. “I’d like to remind you, that is not being a gentleman. You can’t starve us here.”
Master Niallan took a bite of his fruit and chewed. His green eyes never left mine, twinkling with amusement. He swallowed down his bite, murmuring in a quiet tone, “But I like you at my mercy, your majesty.”
Now, he was back to flirting with me.
I crossed my arms. Lifted one black brow.
“Fine. Fine.” He sighed dramatically. “Apparently, I can’t say no to you any more than your other fuck buddy can.” The druid pointed his banana at the silent lord next to me. “Next time, Lord Belshazzar, do not steal all of the ice cream from my fridge. It’s hard to get it here without melting first.”
Lord Belshazzar grunted and pushed off the chair he was resting against. “How about you do this instead? You quit showboating your private time with her—which isn’t gentlemanly, as you touted you are—and bring out our actual lunch. Your first Challenge is today. We’d like to get started sooner rather than later.”
Master Niallan’s smile drifted from his face. “What is the Challenge?”
The Overlord shook his head. “We’ll discuss it when no one else is around. It is our law.”
The druid nodded his head. He lifted his left hand and snapped his fingers twice high in the air. A bevy of servants answered the unspoken command, walking through the far door, their arms laden with breakfast dishes. Without any drama, he stated, “Let us eat, then.”
My mouth watered as I took my seat. I piled my plate full, worrying the druid would try this shit at every meal. Who knew when we’d eat again? I wasn’t taking any chances.
“Your majesty, I have a serious question for you,” Master Niallan murmured.
With my mouth full of succulent chicken drenched in a sweet sauce, my attention snapped to green eyes. I munched casually and stared, trying to evaluate his mood now. It was impossible, his expression indefinable. I swallowed down the large bite. “Yes?”
His gaze dipped to my chin, and then quickly lifted back up to my gaze. He asked bluntly, “Has Lord Belshazzar completely ruined your perception of me?”
The Overlords’ gazes turned to me, obviously wondering how I would handle that loaded question—freaking asked in front of everyone.
My lips thinned. “My thoughts are my own. No one owns them.” That was the truth.
His head of beautiful blond hair tilted. The druid held my gaze completely. “Why do you hate me then?”
I wiped at my chin delicately to clean the red sauce smeared there. I peered down to the white linen, now stained, and then back to his eyes. I showed him the dirty napkin. “Because you leave a filthy stain on everything you touch.”
The green disappeared, only to reappear, with his slow blink. “Fuck. That was harsh.”
I lowered my napkin. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to.”
“You are a right bitch, your majesty.” He stared calmly as my black brows pinched together.
I wasn’t sure if I liked that retort or not yet.
He explained, “It turns me on. I enjoy a woman who knows what she wants and means what she says. Your candor is like a balm against the wind burn I’ve run into lately with my casual dalliances.”
I chuckled and shook my head, deciding I was actually entertained by his line of speech. “I guess I have my grandfather to blame for my directness. The man didn’t even know he did it. He scared people with merely a few words and never understood why he didn’t have many real friends. I’m not as blind as he was. I know that’s why I rub people the wrong way—even though I can be nice when I wish to be, as you’re capable of being, too, in private.” I grinned while he nodded his head in agreement. “You also know what I’m speaking about. You knew my grandfather.”
“Yes, I did. You remind me of him. He was a good man.”
“Thank you,” I stated softly. “I still miss him.”
The druid’s smile was easygoing. “I’m sure you’ve been told this plenty, but it does get better with time. Sometimes a lot of time. But it does eventually get better.”
This was why I hadn’t completely hated him during our sexual encounter—and had enjoyed it. These random moments where he made you believe you were all that he saw at that moment. Just us together and no outside forces interfering.
I blinked, and stated honestly, “Master Niallan, you are a hard man to figure out.”
He sat back on his chair and twirled his napkin. “Still think I’m the worst kind of asshole?”
“Yes.” That was simple.
“But also funny and sweet?”
I grumbled, “Yes.”
The druid chuckled quietly. “It is possible to be all of those things.” His head tipped to Lord Belshazzar. “Take him for example. He has so many different shades he might as well be a fucking kaleidoscope spinning around and around making your head spin.”
I didn’t completely agree. Yes, Lord Belshazzar was all that and more, but I understood him. I understood the lord on a basic and primal level and could see those shades as beautiful or frightening or awe-inspiring. I couldn’t grasp that same understanding with Master Niallan. I didn’t comprehend the meaning behind his actions, whether I agreed with them or not. There was always a reason for someone’s actions—even if they just wanted to or were mentally unbalanced—but I couldn’t fathom his. Not all of them, anyway.
He was an ego-maniac, but…
Master Niallan was still a mystery to me.
I lifted one eyebrow. “Tell me something about yourself you’ve never told anyone.”
His lips lifted into an honest smile. “Trying to decipher me, your majesty?”