Beam
It was like running headfirst into a crossbeam. I was literally stunned.
It was a simple fist bump, a friendly signoff that we'd always done. And I wanted to crawl my way up his arm, tracing every line of his tattoos, and not just with my fingers.
I glanced up at him. Thank the heavens, Gladius didn't look like he had a clue that my subconscious was serving up sexytimes with him. Queenly dignity intact.
You should follow up on that.
I mentally batted the Labyrinth's voice away. I'm the acting monarch of a Faerie realm. I don't jump the bones of nice, unsuspecting security personnel on a whim.
Why not? Queens have needs too. The voice was starting to pick up an achingly familiar velvety chord of suggestion.
I purposefully ignored the Labyrinth's new, unsettling tone. Precisely because I'm the Queen. I'm terrible at casual encounters.
Give it time with that Faerie mantle. Besides, as a ruler, your needs are vast. You need to get them satisfied for the good of the realm.
That gave me pause. How so?
Do you think it's good if your attention is tangled up on your desires? There are too many other things that require your focus. Take care of this need.
I realized I was still touching Gladius's hand, and his warm, brown eyes looked a clear question at me. Jareth would have quirked an eyebrow to express that same sentiment.
Gladius was, in some ways, the polar opposite of Jareth — muscular with a bright, boyish grin and an easy charm like a spring breeze. We were on friendly terms, because Gladius helped oversee the children's security. I saw him every day, and he was a sweetheart (as Fae went), far cannier than he liked to let people know, and joyfully impulsive. I genuinely liked him.
And now I was thinking of very naughty things involving him. What to do…
This is not a time for subtlety. Your needs are vast.
Hush! I got the memo, ok?
"Gladius," I traced my fingers down his wrist, "I need your help with something, if you're interested."
His eyes widened. With definite understanding and interest. "I'd be honored, your Highness."
"Lovely."
I could actually feel the Labyrinth rolling its metaphorical eyes at me. We need to work on your technique. A phantom caress drifted across my neck, just below my ear. Exactly how Jareth used to touch to me.
I shivered. You and I are going to discuss why you're starting to sound like Jareth.
A rolling, silken chuckle. No rush. Take your time.
It was my turn to mentally roll my eyes. But then my attention snapped back to Gladius, who whisked us around a corner to a more private spot, that sunny grin of his overlaying a very masculine anticipation.
I had my chance to investigate every delightful line of his tattoos, one glorious moment at a time. There were certainly perks to controlling the flow of time in a magical Faerie realm.