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The other side of the bond is quiet, but a minute later, Memnon returns to the room wearing only a low slung pair of sweats. He stands just inside the doorway for several seconds.

I’m half-asleep when I reach for him.

It seems to take another small eternity before he moves to me and takes my hand, threading his fingers between mine.

I blink sleepily at him.

Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?I want to ask him for more, but I’m not brave enough.

Memnon uses his other hand to run his knuckles over my cheek.

Of course, Empress.

He releases my hand and gets on the bed then. I flip over, curling my body toward his.

“Good night, wife,” he murmurs.

“Formerwife,” I whisper, correcting him.

“Futurewife,” he corrects me.

Sleep presses in, pulling me under. I’m too tired to argue further.

The last thing I sense before I fall asleep is Memnon’s hand running over my wet hair and this sharp, almost agonized love trickling into me from our bond.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I feel the brush of fingers against my hair.

I need to take care of a few things,est amage. I will be back soon.

But perhaps Memnon’s words were just a dream, because when I wake, he’s there, pressing kisses to my skin. Against my throat, at the juncture of my neck and shoulder, and down my arm.

I should push him away, but my bond is singing, and the kisses feel like wish fulfillment.

Good morning, future wife,he says when he notices me waking, propping himself on a forearm. He’s still above the sheets, and I don’t know why, but that is disappointing to me. Which is absurd.

I forbid you from calling me that,I say, brushing my tangled hair back from my face.

Good morning, fiancée,he corrects.

That too.

Good morning, my vicious queen who demands the blood of our enemies.

I smile.

Another kiss to my shoulder.You liked that one,he says, noticing.

You know, you’re my enemy too,I remind him.

Then punish me,he demands.

I part my lips, unsure what to say, when a sound like nails on a chalkboard saves me from having to answer. It comes from the other side of the closed bedroom door.

SCRIIIITCH. SCRIIIITCH.

There’s only one creature who makes that noise.

“Nero!” I say excitedly. I didn’t think my panther would be up for a while still. But at the sound of his claws, my heart nearly leaps from my chest.