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“Stay sane?” I asked, and her mouth curved.

Darkness seemed to roll over the room, and I was suddenly little more than a boy, with barely ten winters behind me, struggling to lift a sword.

“I’m sorry, Lorian. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No,” I said. “I’m beginning to learn that pain left untended doesn’t fade—it festers. One day, I’d like to talk about it. With you.”

Her breath caught, and I drew back in time to see her looking at me like I’d created all the stars in the sky, just for her.

Had I given this woman so little of myself that the mere mention of a potential conversation at some point in the future was enough to put that light in her eyes?

“We can talk about it now,” I offered hoarsely, my throat closing at the thought of ripping that wound open.

“No,” she said. “No, Lorian. I get it. You were so young, and Regner took everything from you. Even your reputation.”

I raised one eyebrow. “Don’t be mistaken, wildcat. I’ve spent years earning that reputation. Iamthe Bloodthirsty Prince.”

“I know.” She nodded. “But you’re not bloodthirsty when it comes to my people—or your own.”

“No.”

That look was in her eyes again, and all I wanted to do was roll her beneath me. “Are you finished?”

She blinked. “Finished?”

“With your food, wildcat.”

She glanced down at her mostly empty plate and nodded.

“In that case…” Launching myself to my feet, I grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward the stairs. Her delighted laugh rang out behind me. It was the best sound I’d ever heard.

She tripped up the stairs, and I pulled her into my arms, making my way up to the room I preferred on the third floor. Within moments, I was slamming the door behind us, locking it with a flick of my wrist, and placing Prisca on the floor in front of me.

My hand was suddenly buried in her hair, my mouth covering hers, swallowing her surprised yelp. She pushed my shirt up, and I chuckled, enjoying how desperate she was for me.Onlyfor me. If any other man ever saw her like this, I would kill him.

I leaned back enough to rip my shirt off, before pulling her tunic over her head, her breasts spilling free from the undergarment I unwrapped. She whimpered as I slid my hands up to her full breasts, cupping them, gently brushing her nipples before squeezing.

She went languid against me, swaying on her feet.

Made for me.

I pushed her back until her legs hit the bed, following her down so I could strip her leggings from her. She lay spread beneath me, naked and ready, her eyes heated, her cheeks flushed, her body eager for mine.

Placing my hand around her neck, I gently squeezed, enjoying her sharp intake of breath, the way her eyes flared. I let my hand trail down her body until I cupped her pussy, smiling at the feel of her, so wet for me.

She groaned, arching her back as I pushed one finger inside her, using the heel of my hand to drive against her clit. Her body jerked, and I added a second finger, lowering my head to tongue her.

The sweet taste of her drove me wild, filling my senses withher.

Within moments, she was rocking desperately into my fingers, inconsolable with need. I sucked on her clit, thrusting my fingers deeper, and she let out a long moan, clamping down around my fingers.

Pulling them out, I licked them, watching as her eyes opened to half-mast, more gold than brown.

“Delicious,” I told her, and her cheeks flushed brighter.

Stripping off my pants, I caught her hand as she attempted to grasp my cock. I slid into her instead, a groan of pleasure leaving my throat. Pushing her thighs wider so I could get deeper, I began to thrust.

Prisca wrapped her legs around my hips, and I leaned down, taking her mouth. She was making those tiny gasps now, her thighs shaking in the way she did when she was close.