Free Water Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 2) by Charlene Hartnady Page A

but easing your male will also work fine, for the moment. Have him ease you as well.”
    “Ease.” She held up her hands. “I’m not even going to ask. Torrent can forget it.”
    “That’s a pity because it seems that he doesn’t want any other female. He wants you, his mate.”
    Candy had to suppress a sigh. She didn’t want Sky to think that she was relieved because she wasn’t. “Well, he’s going to have to wait a really long time because I’m not interested. I told him I want to go home and I stand by that.”
    Sky raised her brows. “Torrent is used to getting plenty of sex.”
    Candy made a squeaking noise. Why did Sky insist on talking about this to her? It was too much information. There was a part of her that wanted to interrupt the other woman to tell her just that, but she bit her tongue. If it made Sky feel better, then she would listen. The she-dragon had been nothing but nice to her since she arrived there. She’d gone out of her way to take care of Candy. Bottom line, she was good people. Candy nodded once.
    “The lesser males are used to being starved of sex and of operating on lower energy levels. They know no different. Torrent on the other hand will find it increasingly difficult to function at optimum level. It’s going to start becoming obvious.” She paused and licked her lips.
    Candy shuffled from one foot to the other.
    When she didn’t say anything, Sky carried on. “The idiot male decided to turn down sex in the weeks leading up to the hunt. He had this hair-brained scheme that it would hone his senses and make him hungrier for a female. It is going to backfire on him soon. You need to be aware that he cannot go without sex indefinitely, without recourse. He’s going to be forced to take another female soon. It won’t be a choice.”
    Candy didn’t know what to say or to think. There was a part of her that felt sorry for him but it didn’t mean she was going to just roll over and accept him into her bed.
    “On a lighter note.” Sky smiled. “You mentioned wanting to get out of this room.”
    Candy nodded. She practically held her breath. Had Torrent agreed to her going out? Maybe he was letting her go home. It was a pipe dream, but a girl could hope.
    “Pack your bags because you’re…”
    Could it be, was Torrent letting her go. Please. Please. Please.
    “…Torrent wants you to move into his chamber.”
    “What?” No, no, no. “What?” She repeated, like a complete idiot.
    Sky tilted her head. “I’m here to help you pack and to escort you there.”
    “Um, please tell him thanks but no thanks.” Candy had never lived with a guy. She planned on waiting until she was married. Ironic considering her profession but totally true. Then again, Torrent was technically her…husband… mate… no he wasn’t. He’d somehow married her by accident. It didn’t really count. Did it?
    Sky’s mouth fell open in another gape. “I can’t tell him that.”
    She shook her head. “I’m not moving in with him.” Oh god, he would probably expect to share a bed. The thought made her shake her head harder.
    “You must.”
    “I won’t.”
    “You have to.” Sky looked appalled. “It is the king’s wish. You are his mate, your place is by his side, in his bed.”
    Oh god! Flip! Candy swallowed hard. “That’s what I was afraid of. I think that it’s best that I stay here. That whole thing about needing a change of scenery, forget it!”
    “Please. Torrent is a good male. Once you see below that”—she nodded and smiled— “slightly arrogant exterior, he’s a wonderful and caring male. He also has a—”
    “I’m sure he’s awesome and wonderful and dynamite in bed but I can’t just move in with someone I only just met.” It was Candy’s turn to pace across the room. She clasped her hands together tightly.
    Sky took a few steps towards her. “Give it a chance. Torrent is a male of honor, he will respect your wishes regardless of how weak he is. You will be