“Is there something there?” she asked, turning her eyes back to him, and finding him looking past her into the gloom.
Before she could turn to look herself, Zane leaned in close, the heat of his words breath warming her skin as he spoke. “It would probably be safest if you returned to your room, Tina, but I shouldn’t walk you back. The rest of the kings are probably adjourning from their strategy sessions and will wonder where you’ve gone. If I’m with you, they’ll think I’ve had some unfair advantage.”
He moved a touch closer, so that his body was very nearly pressed against hers. “I’ll watch from a distance to make sure you get back without incident. Don’t worry.”
12
Tina
Tina sprawled across her mattress in the dark, staring at her canopy bed. Despite being exhausted and drained, she had spent the last two hours tossing and turning as her anger slowly subsided.
Too many thoughts. Too many what-ifs. Too many death threats for one day. That said, she was starting to get a handle on things. Tomorrow would be a new day, a better day.
“The kings fear me,” she reminded herself. Their unease gave her more and more courage as she chewed on the thought. They were scared of her abilities, and not just of what she could do. If Ray was to be believed, Tina could also grant incredible power to those she slept with.
The idea made her grin mischievously. Amy had put it perfectly. After fusing with Damara, Tina was hot as hell and had super sex powers. She should enjoy them.
It was one more thing she held over those who were trying to control her life: anyone she had sex with would become powerful. If they wanted in her bed, they needed to earn it.
Ultimately, she held the cards here. This was her contest, after all. She was a goddess, and she needed to continue to act like one. The throne room was just the opening act. It was time she spoke to the contestants.
With renewed confidence, Tina threw open her bedroom door and walked into the hall wearing nothing but her nightgown. In the humid night air, she didn’t need anything else. The thin fabric slunk along her skin, teasing her bare thighs, and she loved the sensation.
Time to set some ground rules for this little game.
Her suitors were likely following her or had sentries posted to keep them updated on her whereabouts, and something told her she wouldn’t have to wait very long to speak with them. After only a few minutes, Tina had retraced her steps to her throne room. Taking a deep breath, she tucked her skirt beneath her and took a seat on the red cushion to wait, back arched, for her men to arrive.
As she thought, it didn’t take long.
Anthony appeared first out of the shadows in the corner, and she didn’t bother suppressing a smile as he neared. Flynn and Draven followed shortly after that, and the sight of them made her sit a little taller despite her exhaustion. Killian strode in next, brimming with regal power, and Zane was hot on his heels.
“Before I set the ground rules for my contest, I want to apologize,” Tina began. “I was angry when I announced this contest, and none of you have to stay and compete.” She grinned playfully. “I won’t kill you if you try to leave.”
The princes chuckled, and a few of them crossed their arms as if to hide their chests. Being at her mercy likely hadn’t been a pleasant experience, and she hoped none of them would do anything stupid enough to make her use her powers on them again.
Draven grinned, his smile dripping with devilish charm. “Oh, I’m not leaving unless you make me.”
“Works for me.” Tina chuckled. “Anthony?”
Her protective wolf stiffened under her gaze, his jaw tensing. “I’m staying, if you’ll have me.”
“Of course.” She smiled warmly, not bothering to hide her affection for the wolf shifter who had saved her and Amy.
Flynn crossed his arms over his thick chest, his biceps flexing as he eyed her curiously. “I’ll enjoy getting a chance to teach you more about Olympus and what it means to be a god.”
Tina smiled, excited to learn even as her eyes trailed down his broad chest. He seemed like a genuinely good man who wanted nothing more than to help her, and when it came to her newfound magic, she could certainly use all the help she could get.
“If I may,” Killian interjected, standing with all the regal poise of a knight in shining armor. “You impressed all of us with your display in the throne room. I’ve never seen anyone command so much magic at once, and I would be honored to fight for your hand.”
“And you know I’m in,” Zane added with a goofy grin as he ran a hand through his wild hair.
“Excellent,” Tina said, happy to see the princes were staying of their own free will. “Next order of business. Have all your fathers left?”
The men nodded in unison.
She sat up a little straighter, grateful the arrogant kings were finally out of the picture. She would have Ray confirm that they had left, but the boys’ word would do for the moment. “Good. Now, on to the ground rules.”
“We’re listening.” Flynn crossed his arms, which only made him look bulkier and more muscled than before. Despite his controlling demeanor, she still wanted to run her fingers over his incredible muscles and feel his hands on her thighs.
Ignoring her sexual fantasy about the demigod, she began to list off her rules. “First, I sleep until ten.” She waited until they all nodded. When they had, she continued, “Every week, each of you will get one day with me, with the remaining two days for me to have some time to myself. I’m an introvert and need time to recover.”
“Wait, only one day?” Draven frowned.
Tina raised one eyebrow in challenge. “Yes. One day per week.”
“But—”
“This isn’t up for debate,” Tina interjected.
Draven let out a frustrated sigh and eventually nodded, though he didn’t seem terribly happy about it.
“Who goes first?” Zane asked.
“Anthony,” Tina said without missing a beat. “For everything he’s done for me, I think he’s earned first pick.”
“Thank you, Tina.” A dazzling smile crossed Anthony’s face, and it rocked her to her core. His dark and brooding look was hot, but Jesus, the world around her screeched to a halt when he smiled. He captivated her, stealing her away, and she momentarily forgot what she was doing.
Right. The contest and ground rules. She cleared her throat in an effort to rein in her desire for the wolf prince long enough to form coherent thought.
When she returned her attention to the throne room, Draven and Zane both were both glaring at Anthony. Draven’s jealous expression dripped with resentment, while Zane’s calculated scowl seemed to weigh the pros and cons of what she had just said.
“Who gets to go next?” Flynn asked, frowning with disappointment.
“Draw straws,” she suggested.
Flynn’s shoulders drooped, as if he had been expecting her to pick him next. She raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to argue, but he didn’t.
Draven, however, did. “It’ll be easier if you pick. Why not let me take the second day? Wolves can be boring, so you’ll need someone exciting to follow him.”
“Hey!” Anthony snapped.
Tina frowned. “I told you to draw—”
“Nonsense,” Flynn interrupted. “Let me take the second day, Tina, or better yet let me go first. I—”
“The first day is mine,” Anthony interrupted, his voice so low and gravely that he was nearly growling at the demigod.
Flynn didn’t even look at the wolf shifter and took a few steps closer to Tina instead. “Allowing me to have the first day will give you more time to practice your magic and help you develop your connection with your goddess. I can do so much for you, Tina, if you just let me show you what I know.”
Draven snorted in annoyance. “At least I can show her a good time. The rest of you are so tedious.”