All Chapters of THE CHOSEN OFFERING: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

She took her arm and guided her into the room. He must have just arrived himself because he stood in front of the table and turned when they entered."My lord, this is Alexia. She will be attending you this evening. "She felt real sympathy for the girl, he was a lot to take in at any size. He made her own stomach turn with nerves. She gave the girls arm another squeeze and gave him a look that she hoped said, 'be patient' before he nodded for her to go. She closed the door and stood close to it, hoping to hear what was said. Demitri, who had vanished stuck his head out of the bath room door and wagged a finger at her, she stepped away, abashed. He motioned her over."You'll never hear anything through there, come here and be quite. He led her to a side door that was already ajar and motioned for quite. She crammed in next to him against the wall and peeked in. Alexia was frozen in fear. He had motioned for her to sit, but she wasn't budging. Finally he sat himself and motioned again.

"So, all done?" She nodded, but hesitated to approach, suddenly unsure of what to do with herself now that there was no immediate problem before her. He held out a hand to her and she moved silently forward laying her own hand in his, and was surprised when he immediately pulled her down onto his lap. He refilled his wine with one hand, while the other trailed its way along her spine. Her back arched involuntarily under his hand."Are you alright?" He handed her his wine glass. She took it making an affirmative noise. He pulled her against him, and she let herself lean into him. Now that she held the wine, his second had was free to explore her legs, and slid under her hem at the knee, cupping the back of her calves, and squeezing lightly. "May I make a confession?"She nodded, finding her voice suddenly unavailable."I'm pleased with your choice." She felt a rush of warmth run through her. She took a sip of wine then put the cup down. She didn't need it, she was already feeling rathe

Calliope woke early. She knew it was still near first light because Thelios lay asleep beside her, sprawled out on his back, his thick chest rising and falling in a lazy tempo. She rose, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and washed up quickly and quietly as to not disturb him. She cast a quick glance back into the room before slipping out into the hall and making her way to the kitchen where she found Demitri just beginning his day. He looked up at her and nodded before returning to the shelves he was fiddling with."Morning." He muttered without looking back up."Good morning. Does he take a meal in the morning as well?" She asking, thinking to preemptively assist. He shook his head."I only feed him once a day...if that. He's on his own the rest of the time." She looked at him a little askew though with some amusement."You make him sound like a pet." He shrugged and pulled a set of mean looking knives off of a shelf."Feels like that...from time to time." He glanced at her again, an

"I trust you weren't impolite?" Her stomach flip flopped a little. It was maddening how unsettled he made her feel. She wasn't used to being phased all the time. She wasn't used to being phased at all. As casually as she could she reached in front of him and stole his cup."I didn't strike him. I think that was very polite of me. Though I will admit to being somewhat terse." She took a long sip and glanced again at Demitri who was watching with interest with those piercing eyes of his."I can't imagine what he might have done to deserve rudeness." Her ire rose faster than she could control it."Can you not?" She turned to Thelios, inflamed and ready to defend herself with proverbial claws if necessary. He was looking back at her. His face was cool, and serious, but his eyes were gentle, incredibly gentle. She melted instantly and her words died dryly in her throat. He wasn't angry then, or contemplating beating her.She felt the air let out of her, "I'm sorry,"she breathed, before loo

She stepped down into the bath, and stood over him, though just barely. The water was still hot, and the back of her mind told her she could probably use a bath herself but she doubted that was going to happen, not with that look in his eye. Another shiver ran up her spine.He was just watching her now, his smile gone, his eyes tumultuous. She ran her fingers over his skin down his collarbone to his chest, just as she had touched herself."Your skin is a little rough." She felt his lungs fill beneath her hand quickly. "I like that." She added softly, watching her fingers and avoiding his eyes. Those burning golden amber eyes. "And your eyes make my skin burn." She looked up then, to find him already giving her that soul melting stare. His jaw was tight and clenched, and she could see his body tensing, his arms and legs like twisted cords."Are you teasing me?" His voice was thick and low, and the vibrations ran up through her arm and into her own chest. It was hard to tell if he was a