He paused, as if trying to recall what the old man had said. “That sounds right.”
“But did he ever mention sex?” Dred sighed, knowing how Ike loved screwing with new fish. In a place like Perdition, the little things got you through.
“I don’t think so.”
“It was for my protection, after the coup. Artan had a few loyal men, and they were afraid somebody might come after me. I got used to having them in here.” She shrugged, not having cared until now what anyone thought about the arrangement.
“So the Dread Queen’s without a man in her bed? They must all be neutered.”
“I wasn’t in the mood,” she said. “I had a lot on my mind.”
“And now?”
“I have broken ribs and a slashed thigh. What do you think?”
He stroked her knee, her hip, her shoulder. “I can be gentle.”
“That’s the last thing I want. Swap seats with me?”
For once, he didn’t argue or offer a clever retort. If he had, she might’ve changed her mind. She wanted, but there were ghosts and echoes, demons in her head; it was different the last time because he’d caught her fresh from sleep, defenses down. He only helped her to her feet and sank back. As she unlaced her pants, she said, “Get ready.”
“I’ve been ready since the first time I saw you.” And his fingers shook as he unfastened.
There were no pretty words or preliminaries. Her leg burned when she sank down on him, and it wasn’t smooth. She was too tense to be fully engaged, but he sensed it and kissed her, his mouth clever and hot, hands working down her hips. She found a rhythm, and by the sound he made into her mouth, it felt good. His hands cupped, tightened, dragging her down harder. The movement jolted her ribs, sending a sharp wave of agony through her, and she went taut.
“Dear Mary,” he whispered into her mouth. “Tell me you like it, or I might just die.”
“I thought you couldn’t,” she taunted softly.
“Little deaths, all the time, every second I’m alive.”
“But some deaths are good ones.”
He gasped in answer, head thrown back, and his obvious pleasure did what touch couldn’t when she was wide-awake. She lost herself in him, sensation blazing through her in whorls of amber light. Some ached; some glowed; and she melted into him, kissing deep into his mouth as he arched, as she bowed.
Afterward, his arms came around her. “I hope you still respect me.”
Before, she might’ve offered a cutting comment in reply, maybe about how she never had. Instead, Dred kissed him on the brow. “Absolutely. Bind up my ribs?”
“You’ll make me feel guilty for taking advantage of a wounded woman.”
“Who’s on top of whom?” she asked with an arch of a brow.
“You make a good point. Get off me, love, unless you want to go again.”
44
The Sound of Silence
“Not just now, I think. There’s work to do.” Her response might’ve been painful for someone else, but Jael took it as reassurance.
Though he wouldn’t call what they had a relationship, he trusted Dred. Since the moment he’d stepped off the prison transport, she’d proven that she wouldn’t turn on him, wouldn’t offer him up for any payout, and she’d fought for his life like it mattered. And now, he felt the same. That was further than anyone had gotten with him in fifty turns.
“Damn,” he said, feigning disappointment. “And here I could sleep for a week.”
“You can sleep when you’re dead.”
“Promises, promises.” Despite his lazy words, the black core at the bottom of him had gone; he no longer courted death like the one woman who would never love him.
She didn’t reply, then the san-shower kicked in. Jael lounged on her bunk waiting for his turn. No point in getting dressed since she didn’t seem to mind sharing her facilities with him. There were perks to being part of the Dread Queen’s inner circle. He contemplated the revelation that she wasn’t shagging Tam and vowed to get even with Ike. Rotten old bastard. It was Jael’s fault, however, for not asking pointed questions, but he’d been unwilling to display that much interest. Maybe if you cared less about the look of the thing, you’d have been in her bed sooner. Once she finished cleaning up, he took his turn, then they joined the spymaster in the main hall.
“Are you two ready?” Tam asked.
Dred nodded. “Let’s go finalize our arrangement with Silence.”
Ike caught up to her in a rush, then handed her something. She exchanged a long look with the old man, who simply nodded. Then she stuck whatever it was into a pocket. Jael tried to ask her what that was about, but she shook her head. He took that to mean there was no time to talk, but he didn’t take it personally.
The mood was much different than the first time they’d made this trek—and they didn’t use the ducts. They marched boldly through what had been Grigor’s territory. Silence’s people paused in their cleaning and watched them pass, but they didn’t take action. Jael wondered if the alliance would hold, now that the initial agreement had been executed.
The Speaker met them at the border and escorted them to Silence personally. Silence’s man wasn’t much for conversation, so it was a quiet walk. Dred fell in beside Jael naturally, Tam walked ahead with the emissary, and Jael took quiet pride in her choice. His title as champion felt more vital, now that she’d chosen him on a personal level, too.
Death’s Handmaiden was waiting on her grisly throne when they arrived, and Dred strode toward her, one queen to another. In that moment, Jael knew a flicker of unexpected pride, as if he had the right to take credit for anything the princess in chains did. He mocked himself quietly as he folded his arms.
Silence signed rapidly to Skullface, then he turned to interpret. “The truce between us is formally at an end. This is the last time you will be welcome in Death’s territory. Should you or any of your people trespass, you will be ushered into His kingdom.”
That’s plain enough. No more alliance.
“I understand.” Dred didn’t bow, but she did dip her head.
Then she led the way back as they’d come. Nobody spoke because of Skullface dogging their heels, but once they passed the final checkpoint, and the Speaker retreated, Jael glanced at Tam to take the spymaster’s temperature on their current situation. The alliance with Silence had bolstered their defenses, no question, but now Queensland stood alone again.