Page 49 of Golden Darkness

Pet said, “If you didn’t know what it was, why did you break it? You shattered everything that made me happy, sad, anxious, and excited from my own world. My world is dead. There is no coming back from that. You wanted to put me in my place as another female dependant on the Overlord? You were mad that I got pretty stuff while you were here waiting? I didn’t know you were here. Kethen said that I was his and no others, that he needed no other. That we were mates. Why would I imagine half a dozen women waiting for him to come through the door enraged with my presence?”

Kethen sighed. “I didn’t know, Pet. I didn’t order it. I didn’t ask for them, but it is customary to have several women to take the edge off for me.”

“You don’t seem edgy.” She started to move sleepily against him.

“I am not. You brought me out of dormancy, gave me a purpose, and restored me to power. Your body has linked us, as my body has linked us.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Rest now. I will not leave you alone.”

Pet looked at him with pretty, dark eyes narrowed. “If you do, I will punch a hole through one of your wings when I find you, Kethen.”

He glanced at those around them. The shock in their expressions was unmistakable, as was the embarrassed horror on Yerao’s face. “You did this to her, Yerao. You told these women I had returned, and then you shoved in my pet and told the women that she was the favourite and needed to be taken down to know her place.”

Yerao swallowed. “She told you?”

Pet snorted softly. “No.”

“She did not have to. She struck to defend, which meant those here attacked. They would have no reason to do so if not goaded to it.”

The females looked over at Yerao, and the question was answered.

“Overlord, I didn’t know!” Yerao looked at his feet.

“Out. You are retired. I will find myself a new head of household.”

Pet muttered, “Put me down, and I will explain it to the old dude.”

Kethen felt the tension in her. “No. I do not want to be dealing with his family if you beat him to death.”

Yerao blinked. “She could really...”

“Oh, yes. I am wondering if I should tear you down the centre or pull your arms out and wait for you to bleed to death.”

“I will put in my resignation immediately, Overlord. Please, do not judge my family by my actions. I thought to show your mate that she could be replaced. I am seeing now that she is your choice.”

Kethen sighed. “More than that, it is all I need.Sheis all I need. Linking with her is all that I require for satisfaction. Minutes with her eclipse hours with others.”

She yawned and patted his chest, running her index finger through his mark. He groaned as she teased him. She whispered against his neck, “Don’t brag, Kethen. You are embarrassing me.”

He felt the emotional warmth that she triggered in him. “Go, Yerao, after you have sent these females back where you found them. They are now your responsibility, but they will not remain under my roof.”

The medics took the hint and backed away from the women now that noses were set and arms were relocated.

Kethen looked at the guards who were watching from the door. “This area will be emptied in thirty minutes. I will return to check.”

The guards nodded. “Yes, Overlord. It is good to have you back, Overlord Kethen.”

Kethen nodded. “This is my mate, currently designated as Pet until I get her language.”

She sighed and chuckled.

He walked past the guards and muttered, “Half an hour, and I am coming back.”

They nodded. “Understood, Overlord Kethen.”

Kethen sighed and headed to his quarters. The sleeping platform was pristine, and he carried her to the shower to wash the blood from her skin.

She was sleeping innocently in bed with the angry red welts taking the place of the gouges that had been filling in. Her dress was soaked with blood. If she hadn’t been dressed in black, he would have noticed sooner. His nostrils had just been filled with her, so he hadn’t been able to guess she was still bleeding until he set her down. Her blood was all over him.

After tucking her in and taking his own shower to get her blood off, he changed and headed down to the kitchen. He gave strict orders to the staff, and they promised to do exactly as he said.