I step beneath the water before I can follow that thought anywhere. It doesn’t matter if it feels good to be aligned in purpose. He’s not for me. Fuck, Shiloh isn’t for me, either. It’s going to be everything I can do to avoid a war at the end of this year. I don’t have time for two sexy, high-maintenance partners. Not that either of them are jumping at the idea of being linked to me permanently. They aren’t.

The Amazons aren’t like the Mystics. Political marriages are rare, especially with other factions. Any outsider who marries into the Amazons has a long road ahead of them. It’s not that we ostracize outsiders; more that we simply don’t hand over power that isn’t earned. Even then, whoever I end up with won’t be an equal in the eyes of the faction. I will always be queen, they will always be consort.

Why am I thinking about this now?

I wash my hair and body quickly, keenly aware of Broderick’s gaze on me. The sensation only gets stronger when I turn off the water and grab a towel. We’re long past any point of modesty, and I’m hardly a shy person on my best day, so I don’t bother to try and cover up as I dry off. I also don’t put on a show, either.

We don’t have time to get into it right now, not if I don’t want to be late.

“I’d like more details,” he finally says. “If you’re willing to share them.”

“Sure.” I head out of the bathroom and into the walk-in closet, him trailing behind. I managed to get a decent amount of my clothing brought here the first week, so I have plenty to choose from. I flip through the options. “We’re going to go get a drink somewhere nice and shadowy, with booths or a private back room. And then you’re going to sit across from us and use that stern voice of yours to dictate how I touch Shiloh.”

“I don’t have a stern voice.”

I flick my fingertips in his direction. “You’re using it right now.”

“Monroe.”

I sigh and turn to face him. “Broderick, why are you questioning this so hard? Tell me it’s not sexy as fuck to think about sitting there watching me slide my hand down Shiloh’s jeans and get her off on your instructions.”

He frowns and shifts, trying to subtly adjust the front of his pants. “Yeah, it’s hot.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I still don’t get why you’re doing this.”

I finally land on a green dress that does wonders for my eyes. I slide into it and walk to Broderick to present my back. “Zip me up.”