“My business is mine to keep,” I finally said.
“Stubborn wench,” Veredi said with a laugh, “she is a fiery little one.”
I glanced at Ronen and Callarn. They watched me with full lust. Suddenly, I needed more air while I ignored the fluttering urge in my sex.
“My lads have pledged their claim over you,” Veredi continued, “and I find you to be a suitable mate for them.”
Them? “I think not,” I hastily retorted. “I do not wish to be shared.”
“It is our law. And besides, my lads have taken a fancy to you. I think you should reconsider your decision.”
I turned to look at my warriors again. My heart started thundering. I hated to admit it but I had started taking a fancy toward Ronen and Callarn, but my fear got the best of me. “I cannot be shared between two men. It is forbidden.” I paused for a second, taking a deep breath as I decided to let the lord know of my predicament. “I cannot be their mate, Lord. I’m already taken. I’m married.”
Noise broke out over my statement.
“You are still pure,” Ronen said. “How is it you claim to be married yet untouched.”
I cast my gaze away from them.
“Is that why you were running away? You were afraid of joining with your husband?” Veredi asked me softly.
“My husband died just before our wedding night.”
“Then you are a free woman.”
“My lord does not understand. I am from royalty, and we only take one husband in a lifetime.”
“You loved your husband?”
“I barely knew him. My family had arranged the marriage. When he passed away, I was about to be burned in the funeral pyre with him. I was supposed to follow my husband to Paradise, so I could serve him forever. It was our tradition.”
More shouts of disbelief loomed around me. Everyone seemed outraged with the fate I had to endure.
“Is that the reason you were running?”
I gave a weak nod. “I want to live, sire.”
“I understand.” Veredi lovingly patted my hand. “As for my concerns, you are in our domain; hence you will follow our law. Since your husband has perished, you become a free woman. If you were deeply attached to your husband and were still mourning his sudden departure, I would not force you to change your heart. But since you have no attachment to your late husband, you should consider accepting Ronen and Callarn’s claim. These lads have been searching for a suitable woman as their mate for quite a long time.”
“But I do not wish to be shared.”
Veredi exhaled a deep breath at my defiance. “Do you know why we share our woman, wench?”
I shook my head.
“We Khimerian are unable to bear female offsprings. It was a curse placed upon our people in the ancient age.”
“A curse?”
Veredi let out a cynical laugh. “Lord Draeve’s curse that our kin not be given female companions. Since then, our centauresses are no longer bearing female offspring, and our female descendants are declining. Our foals are always male. To preserve our line, we are forced to take ordinary women as brides. As you may have noticed, we are humble folks. Taking woman brides necessitates a big dowry and not all unmated males have the resources. Hence, we share our women to ensure our future offspring.”
“Ensure the future offspring?”
“We are shifters; sometimes our seed is not well-suited to impregnate common women. If there is more than one male coupling with the woman, the bigger the chance of future offspring.”
I went quiet upon hearing his explanation.
“You are afraid?”