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Rhistel had taken liberties with his powers, and I could never forgive that, but that didn’t mean I didn’t care. Deep in my heart, there would always be a place, a weakness, for my twin.

“You’re pale. Did the rebels hurt you?” I asked again.

Rhistel didn’t answer right away but finally, he shook his head. “They killed a Clawsguard. He was the closest thing I had to a friend.”

The resulting pause stretched on, awkward and miserable. I had to be the one to break it. “I’m sorry. I hope he received a quick death.”

Rhistel snorted. “A warrior through and through.” He rose and, without another word, left the council chambers.

A gold-cloaked Clawsguard stood outside of my suite when I arrived.

“Where’s the soldier I left with my wife?” I asked.

“The queen sent for three of us to be pulled from the search for rebels and stationed at her children’s doors. I dismissed the other soldier.”

“I see.” I grasped the door handle. Mother had always been protective, so I wasn’t surprised. More like I was shocked that I hadn’t seen her personally yet. “Do you know where the queen is?”

“I believe with the princess.” The Clawsguard’s face softened. Everyone loved Saga and after what had happened, Mother would be particularly fierce over her baby.

“Good.” I let myself into my suite. The fresh scent of soap, perfumed with something floral, made my spine straighten. “Neve?”

“In here!”

Her voice came from the bathroom.

“Get in here, Vale,” Neve added, her tone dipping, becoming more sultry.

I opened the door to the bathroom, peeked in, and my knees weakened. My wife was in the bathtub, beneath a mound of bubbles and red petals strewn into the steaming water. The top of her voluptuous breasts bobbed in thewater, beneath a grouping of silken red petals. When she lifted one leg out of the water, petals stuck to her smooth skin as she pointed her toes.

“How did the meeting go?”

A chuckle escaped me. “You expect me to remember anything that happened when you’re like that?”

She shrugged and lowered her leg, a devilish glint in her violet eyes. “The healer said we needed to clean off. The tub is big enough for two.”

My heart rate amped up as I entered the room. “How convenient.”

“As if you don’t know firsthand.”

“I don’t. You’re the only female who has ever bathed in my chambers.”

Her eyes went round and for a moment, she appeared not to believe me, but it was the truth.

“Please don’t tell me you’re untouched,” Neve said saucily, apparently having recovered from the shock of being the first female in my tub.

“Do I look like I know nothing of a female’s body?” I stood over her now, my hands so close to her, itching to touch, to caress her silken skin.

Neve smirked. “Not at all, thank the stars. Now, are you going to just stand there, husband? Or are you going to put this tub to the test and join me?”

Chapter 25

NEVE

Iheld my breath and trailed my fingers through the red petals I’d sent the servants to fetch from the palace greenhouses.

Would he get in the water?

I’d had far too much time to think this seduction over, to consider if it was smart.