Dark Secrets Unveiled (The Children of the Gods #45) - I.T. Lucas Page 0,31

from the men she bedded?

Perhaps that was the real reason behind her refusing to take the same lover for more than one moon rotation. She was showing them mercy by sparing their lives.

As he’d discovered, the mystery of Ania was much more involved than the beauty she hid under her veil.

Ever since she had accepted his petition, he’d been spending every night with her, but other than the lovemaking, he couldn’t remember what they’d talked about or any other details from his stay. He left her each morning in a daze, barely making it to his furs and sleeping like a dead man for long hours.

Ania’s other lovers had reported the same thing.

Then again, Ania’s lovemaking had the power to fry a man’s brain, so it was no wonder he couldn’t remember anything but that.

“It’s a great honor to be accepted by Ania, and an even greater honor for her to call on you every night. But you shouldn’t let it get into your head.”

He shrugged. “I won’t. Ania granted me an entire month, and I intend to make the most of it.”

His reputation as an exceptional lover would reach a fever pitch. He would get propositioned by every unattached female from every clan in the area, and probably some of the married ones as well.

Herleif chuckled. “Since it seems that you believe all the crap Ania is feeding everyone, you probably hope to be the one to get her pregnant so you can have her for a whole year.”

“Many have tried, but Ania has never conceived.”

“Yeah, but each of her lovers hopes to be the winner of the ultimate prize.”

“I’m not a fool, and I’m not hoping for that. Once my month is up, I will find myself a pretty girl to marry like my father wants me to.”

There were several clans in the area that he could negotiate a treaty with and cement it with a marriage. After all, that was what his grandfather had done. He’d married the sister of Bogen’s grandfather.

Olek had taken a wife from the Elrin clan, but since his younger brother was the second in the line of succession, his marriage hadn’t produced a treaty as strong as the one their grandfather had secured with Bogen’s clan.

That job was left to Gudbrand, and the pressure was mounting for him to secure another alliance and produce an heir.

“Guard your heart, Gudbrand. Ania might steal it and never give it back.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not in love with her. She is my last adventure before I settle down. It’s an honor to be chosen as her lover.” He cast his friend a sidelong glance. “Are you jealous, Herleif?”

Married men were not eligible for Ania’s favors.

Herleif burst out laughing. “Of course, I am jealous. Every man who can still get it up, and even those who can’t, lusts after her. But Ania is a dream, a temporary distraction. I much prefer my wife’s warm bosom, which is mine to enjoy every night.”

There was something to be said for Girta’s bosom. She had been generously endowed by the gods, and Ania’s girly figure lacked such soft cushioning. But there was no comparison between her and Girta, not in looks and not in skill.

Gudbrand had been with many women, and none had ever satisfied him as thoroughly as Ania. She left him almost dead with exhaustion and drained of the last drop of vitality.

Some said that she was a demoness disguising as a priestess of Frella, and that she drained the life force out of men. But since none of her lovers had died, Gudbrand was willing to take the risk and enjoy what she offered in exchange for his male vitality.

21

Annani

“I should be with Sari.” Annani paced the length of her small receiving room. “My daughter needs me.”

Ogidu bowed. “Would you like me to escort you, Clan Mother?”

“Thank you, but I am just talking to myself.”

Not comprehending, her butler tilted his head.

“You may go.” She dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

“As you wish, Clan Mother.” He bowed again and retreated, walking backward until he reached the door.

When Amanda had called with the news about David, Annani had chosen to stay in the suite and send Alena in her place. Her reasoning had been that there was no need for her to take part in the brouhaha surrounding the transitioning Dormant, and that her conflicting feelings about him would only trouble Sari.

Annani had done her best to treat David as if he was a stranger that she