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She grinned, and she was so fucking beautiful, my breath caught in my throat.

“The people who’ve stayed in this kingdom haven’t interacted much with the fae. And you’re…you. I wanted people to see that you could be patient and interested. That you’re not that scary after all.”

She peered up at me through her lashes, her fingers playing with one of the buttons on my shirt.

I suddenly saw a lot of decisions about furniture in my future.

“Fine. But you owe me.”

Her eyes heated, but dark circles lingered beneath them. Prisca was still grieving the people we’d lost. Each night before bed, she read her letter from Telean.

“I was just thinking…” she said.

I nipped her ear. “Always dangerous.”

“About the hags. What did you give them to turn on Regner?”

“The Cursed City.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The curse will be dropped now that the war is over and your people are free. If Jamic wanted, he could rebuild it. I told them I wouldn’t let a single building stand in the territory they’ve claimed.”

“And what did Jamic say?”

“He pinched the bridge of his nose and said, ‘Fine, I have plenty of other things to figure out.’ We may need to visit him sometime soon.”

Jamic was newly crowned, already working to remove the rot from Eprotha and ensure the human soldiers whohad rampaged across cities—harming innocent people— never had the opportunity to do such a thing again.

“We will.”

Her mouth had turned down, and I didn’t like it.

“I’m taking my payment now,” I said.

“Is that so?”

Taking her hand, I led her into the bathroom.

“What are you—”

“You’re taking a bath, wildcat. You need to relax. These are my terms.”

“Bossy,” she muttered, but she didn’t protest as I helped her strip out of her gown. “Will you join me?”

I hardened instantly. “No.”

She frowned over her shoulder at me, and I tapped her on her lush, round ass.

“In.”

Her expression turned wicked, and I nearly bent her over the tub.

Then she paused, cupping my face. “I love you.”

“I love you too, wildcat. Now get in the tub.”

She grinned at me. My mouth watered as she climbed into the water, and I hissed out a breath when she leaned back, the water caressing her flushed skin, steam rising to bring a sheen to her cheeks.