Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood #8)(54)

J. R.Ward

to a whole, with the requirement of blood feedings ensuring the sexes were tied together forever.

But all wasn't well within the divine scheme. The truth was,

inbreeding had led to problems, and though in Wrath's case the laws

provided that, as son of the king, he was to take the throne with or without impairments, the Chosen were not so lucky. Defects were shunned by the breeding laws. Always had been. And so someone like No'One, who was handicapped, was relegated to serving her sisters under a cloak . . . a hidden, unspoken-of embarrassment that was nonetheless regarded with "love."

Or "pity" was more like it.

Payne knew precisely how the female must feel. Not about a physical

defect, but about being relegated to a slot of expectation that one couldn't possibly live up to.

And speaking of expectation . . .

Layla, another of the Chosen, entered the bath and removed her

robing, handing it over to No'One with the gentle smile that was her

trademark.

The expression was lost as she lowered her eyes and entered the

water. Indeed, the female seemed to be tangled in thoughts that were not pleasing.

"Greetings, sister," Payne said.

Layla's head whipped up and her brows rose. "Oh . . . verily, I knew not you were herein. Greetings, sister."

After the Chosen bowed deeply, she sat on one of the submerged

marble benches, and although Payne wasn't a conversationalist, something about the dense quiet around the other female drew her.

Finishing her rinse-off, she swam over and settled beside Layla, who

was sluicing puncture wounds on her wrist.

"Whom did you feed?" Payne asked.

"John Matthew."

Ah, yes, the male to whom the king referred, perhaps. "Did it go as it should?"

"Indeed. It did indeed."

Payne leaned her head back against the edge of the pool and stared at the Chosen's blond beauty. After a moment, she murmured to the female,

"May I inquire something of you?"

"But of course."

"Wherefore the sadness. Always with you . . . you return in sorrow."

Even though she knew. For a female to be forced into sex and feeding just because it was tradition was an unconscionable violation.

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J. R.Ward

Layla regarded the puncture marks on her vein with a kind of

dispassionate absorption, as if she were puzzling over the wounds of

another. And then she shook her head. "I shall not bemoan the glory I have been given."

"Glory? Verily, you appear to have been given something else

entirely." A curse was more apt.

"Oh, no, 'tis a glory to be of service--"

"For truth, do not hide behind such words when your visage belies your heart. And as always, if you carry criticism of the Scribe Virgin upon your lips, come sit around my fire." As a pair of shocked pale green eyes flipped up, Payne shrugged. "I've made no secret of how I feel. Ever."

"No . . . indeed you have not. It just seems so . . ."

"Unladylike? Inappropriate?" Payne cracked her knuckles. "What a pity."

Layla exhaled long and slow. "I have been properly trained, you

know. As an ehros."

"And that is what you don't like--"

"Not at all. That is what I don't know, but wish to."

Payne frowned hard. "You are not used?"

"Verily, I was denied by John Matthew on the evening of his

transition after I saw him safely through the change. And when I go to feed the Brothers, I am ever untouched."

"I beg your . . ." Was she hearing that right? "You want to have sex.

With one of them."

Layla's tone turned shrewd. "Surely you of all my sisters understand what it is like to be naught but a potential."

Well . . . hadn't she gotten the scenario all wrong. "With all due respect, I can't fathom why you would want . . . that . . . with one of those males."

"Why would I not? The Brothers and those three younger males are beautiful, phearsome creatures of strength. And with the Primale leaving us all unserved . . ." Layla shook her head. "To have been well taught and had it described and read about the act . . . I want to experience it for myself. Even if it is but once."

"For truth, I cannot summon even the slightest inclination. Never have, don't think I ever will. I'd rather fight."

"Then I envy you."

"Oh?"

Layla's eyes seemed ancient. "Far better to be uninterested than unfulfilled. One is a relief. The other an emptiness with heavy weight."

145

J. R.Ward

As No'One appeared with a tray of cut fruit and fresh juice, Payne

said, "No'One, won't you join us?"

Layla smiled up at the maid. "Indeed. Please do."

With a shake of her head and a bow, No'One just left them the repast

she had so thoughtfully prepared and went about her business, limping through the archway and out of the baths.

Payne's frown stayed in place as she and the Chosen Layla fell into

silence. Mulling over what had been exchanged, it was hard to understand how they could have opinions of such total opposite regard--and both be in the right.