You do but Laoda isn't satisfied.

You should have known. You should have known that Laoda’s diplomatic and deceptive mind would notice that you were hiding something from her. Again, you glare at the lovely women and again she is unfazed. Although she knows that you can turn her down and it wouldn’t affect you, she is betting on the fact that the temptation is far too great for you not to say no.

You glance over at Ceno who lightly shakes his head. Although the temptation to learn how to sleep with you without the risk of impregnating you must be incredible, he is far more concerned for your wellbeing. It is probably the reason Laoda is concentrating her efforts on you, not Ceno, as this deal puts your life at risk, and Ceno would never do that.

“Fine,” you respond, which prompts Ceno to step in.

“Xira,” his worried tone full of emotion, “you don’t have to do this.”

You glare at him, “Ceno, I may not be able to bear your child but I can at least have you to take my virginity.” Ceno tries unsuccessfully to hide his excitement at your proclamation and for just a heartbeat you allow the heat in your belly to flow freely from the roots of your hair to the tips of your finger and toes. Thankfully, your chestplate hides the tightening of your nipples, but you doubt that anyone in the tent has any doubt about your determination to carry on. When Ceno lowers his eyes in acceptance, you turn to Laoda and say through gritted teeth, “Thanos…Thanos is my grandfather.”

Laoda shakes her head impatiently, “Not the obvious parts dear. I want to know everything, down to the last detail.”

“Fine!” You had to give her credit, she is still focused despite the almost unbearable sexual tension in the room. You find that you are torn between the strong urge to rip her golden tongue from between her lush lips, and the desire to press your mouth to those same lips.

You focus on relating the events that unfolded in Thano’s tent, trying to ignore the way she twirls a strand of her golden locks in her delicate fingers and wondering if her fine hair is as soft as it looks. Every now and then you would try to hide or exaggerate the truth but she always seems to catch your lie, her almond-shaped eyes never once leaving yours. As you explain how your father met your mother, Laoda seems almost disinterested, and again when you reveal that the Masson bloodline has nearly been wiped out. You expected to see surprise and a growing understanding of your predicament, instead, it looks like she already knows all this.

As if to confirm this, Laoda shakes her head again when you reach the end of your tale. Even though you hate the way she has used you, the way her blonde hair lightly caresses her bare shoulders is erotically distracting. Laoda, however, is not done with her interrogation.

“Good Xira,” a surge of soothing warmth pushes back the heat that threatened to overwhelm you, and you begin to believe that this Daughter of Aphrodite does have the power to mitigate Ares' curse as she continues. “But I need a little more than that I’m afraid.”

“I told you everything I know!” you snap at her, no longer able to contain the conflicting emotions.

“Yes but, your mother told me who your father was years ago and everyone knows that the Masson bloodline is dying,” unlike both you and Ceno who are fighting for control, Laoda looks as placid as ever. “I can feel that you are still holding out on me. Perhaps you could tell me what was discussed between you and Ceno while I was away.”