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I climbed off his lap, kneeling on the bed in front of him. “Rook, you’re being cryptic. I don’t understand-”

“I threatened to kill you.”

I was confused for a moment. “I know. I mean… wetriedto kill each other. A few times. I still don’t-”

“No.” Rook snapped, running a hand through his hair. He still couldn’t look at me. “Not now, not here. Years ago, when your father said he was withdrawing the Peyrusian army from Isambard. That he would… Abandon us. He said he had to do what he could to protect you. And I-I…” He looked at me helplessly, regret twisting his features. “I said I’d take his reason for abandoning us away. I said I’d kill you.”

“Oh.” I held his gaze, dismissing the flicker of hurt that washed through me.

“I didn’t mean it.” He seized my hand in his. “I swear it. I was angry, and afraid, and I wanted to hurt him, the way he was hurting my people. I could never have imagined that you, and me…”

I clasped his hand, and reached out to stroke his cheek. “Many things are said in anger, my love.”

Rook leaned into my touch, closing his eyes. “Fucking Nav. I’m so sorry. I never would have-” He broke off and seized me in his arms, pulling me on top of him, burying his face in the crook of my neck. “I’m so, so sorry.”

I stroked his hair gently. “And I suppose my father told you to stay away from me now?”

“Yes.” He laid his cheek against my chest. “It was farcical. Threatening me, asking for assurances from Theron. He’s completely fucking ignorant as to what’s going on here.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “It wouldn’t be the first time my father had been totally ignorant as to what was good for me.”

Rook gazed up at me, his brow furrowed. “I take it you’re not especially close then.”

“No, never. He wanted a son, and made it very clear I’d fallen well short of his expectations. But you already knew that, didn’t you?” I stroked his cheek and gave him a weak smile when he didn’t respond. “It’s alright.”

“No it’s not.” Rook wrapped his arms around my waist. “He should have thanked the Gods every day for giving him a daughter like you.” He leaned up to kiss me, and I became keenly aware of the fact that I was, for the second time that evening, straddling Rook completely naked. I ground against him and a growl grumbled through his chest. “Oh princess, what’s this now?”

I smiled at him and bit my lip, prompting him to raise his hand and seize my chin between his thumb and finger.

“Behave yourself.” He raised his eyebrows. “I’m not going to fuck you tonight, if that’s what you’re thinking.” He laughed when I pouted, and removed me from his lap. “Come on princess, we need to get you dressed.” He rose from the bed, walking to the armoire. “Theron has called a banquet to celebrate your victory, and to welcome his royal guest.”

I made a noise of disgust, and shuffled to the edge of the bed. “How have you survived here, all these years?”

“Tenacity.” Rook retrieved a nightgown from one of the drawers, and turned back to me. He stopped short, taking me in. “And what do you think you’re doing?”

I feigned innocence, but I had perched myself on the edge of the bed with my legs spread with a very clear intention. I leaned back on my hands, and tossed my hair over my shoulder. “Why? Do you see something you like?”

“You’re a fucking tease,” he said, but the tenor of his voice had suddenly shifted. I felt a thrill of power as he walked slowly back towards me. Even Rook was only a male. Even he could only maintain control for so long.

He stopped in front of me, the nightgown in his hands dropping to the floor. I gazed up at him, and he stifled a groan. “You look at me like that, and I won’t be able to stop myself.”

“What makes you think I’d want you to stop?” I reached out for him, gripping on to the waistband of his trousers, holding his gaze.

“Your back,” he said slowly. “I wouldn’t want to hurt your back.”

“I don’t have to be lying on my back for you to fuck me, you know.”

He grinned, and cupped my face with his hand, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “That is true.”

“Take off your shirt.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Such a demanding princess.”

I palmed his cock through his trousers, and his jaw clenched as another growl echoed through his chest. He tore his shirt off over his head, and I gazed at his body in the firelight. I brushed my fingers over the scars that adorned his skin, over the muscles of his stomach that began to contract as his breathing sped up. His skin was hot under my touch, and I had to take a deep breath to calm myself.

“Alright?” He asked, stroking my cheek tenderly.

I nodded. “Yes.”