The bastard had the nerve to look irritated. “And what would that be?”
“You’ll break my bond to you.”
A muscle twitched in Ksar’s jaw. “I thought we were already over this. It’s not that simple.”
Seyn scoffed. “Please. As if I don’t know that you can make it simple if it isn’t.”
“I’m flattered you think so highly of me, but I’m not a miracle worker,” Ksar said, turning away and heading for the door. “Borg’gorn, unlock the door.”
Seyn glared at his back. “If you don’t break my bond to you, I’ll tell everyone about your telepathy. It’s not a threat. I’m just telling you what’s going to happen.”
Ksar paused, his back to him. “I’ll let you know if I find a solution.”
Before Seyn could say anything, Ksar left, the door sliding shut after him.
As soon as Ksar was out of his sight, Seyn became aware of several things that he had barely noticed while Ksar was there: his knees hurt, his jaw ached like hell, and there was a strange taste in his mouth.
Seyn made a face. Gross.
“Borg’gorn, may I have a glass of water?”
“Of course, Your Highness,” the AI said. “On the table.”
Seyn picked up the glass that had appeared on the table. He gulped down the water, eager to erase the taste from his mouth, but it didn’t work as well as he’d hoped. It was impossible to completely forget the feeling of that hot, thick length in his mouth, the punishing grip in his hair, and the silver eyes fixed on him intently.
Running a hand over his warm face, Seyn shook his head. He wasn’t going to think about it. What had happened, had happened. There was no point in dwelling on it. And he certainly wasn’t going to dwell on Ksar’s sneered words that he’d had better.
It didn’t matter. He didn’t care. The asshole could fuck every whore in the galaxy for all Seyn cared. He didn’t give a shit.
“Your Highness?” The AI sounded hesitant. Almost awkward.
Seyn grimaced, realizing that Borg’gorn had seen and heard everything that had happened in this room. The AI had been a witness to his humiliation. I’ve had better. The ever-present AIs normally never bothered him, but for the first time in his life, Seyn wished they didn’t know everything.
“I have known Prince Ksar all his life,” Borg’gorn said. “I have observed that he tends to be particularly cruel when he is bothered by something.”
Seyn frowned. The AI was right. Ksar never lowered himself to such ill-mannered insults unless he was thrown off-balance, which had to mean that Ksar had totally enjoyed the sex more than he’d let on. Seyn had felt the extent of Ksar’s pleasure. He shouldn’t have let Ksar’s words hurt him. No matter what Ksar claimed, he wanted him—wanted him enough to stick his cock into Seyn’s mouth against his better judgment.
He could use that.
“Thanks for your insight, Borg’gorn,” Seyn said, heading for the door, the beginning of a plan forming in his mind.
He wasn’t going to let Ksar make him feel small.
Not again.
Chapter 6
Ksar struggled to maintain the expression of polite interest as Councilor Xuvok talked his ear off about the bill he intended to propose in the next session of the Council. Normally, he had little patience for the man, but the alternative—exchanging small talk with members of high society—was even less appealing.
Taking a sip from his drink, Ksar glanced around the crowded ballroom of the First Royal Palace and suppressed a grimace, catching blatant stares from all over the room. He attended such social gatherings rarely for a reason. Or perhaps the fact that he attended them so rarely was the main reason he seemed to attract more stares than any other member of the royal families. A miscalculation on his part.
“…I hope I’m not overstepping, but I have to say I admire your restraint, Your Highness,” Councilor Xuvok said. “I’m not certain I’d be as indifferent if my bondmate appeared so…taken with another individual.”
Ksar gave him a flat look. “I beg your pardon?”
Xuvok fidgeted, his face reddening under his gaze. “Prince Seyn has been dancing with Ambassador Denev all evening. Surely you’ve noticed that?”
Ksar took another sip from his drink. He didn’t look Seyn’s way. “Prince Seyn’ngh’veighli can dance with whoever he wishes to dance. It’s of no consequence to me or our bond.”
“Of course,” Xuvok said hurriedly. “I meant no offense, Your Highness. Just…” He tugged at his tight cravat. “I hold you in very high esteem, and I strongly dislike the malicious gossip people—some other people, not me, of course—spread about Prince Seyn—Prince Seyn’ngh’veighli. I simply wanted to make sure that you were aware of it.”
Ksar barely held back a scathing comment. He would have to be blind and deaf to miss all the “malicious gossip” about Seyn’s behavior and their bond. It was hardly a secret that he and Seyn didn’t get along. Ksar was always careful to be polite when he talked about his supposed bondmate in public, but the fact that he largely ignored Seyn when they attended the same social events certainly wasn’t missed by the gossipmongers.