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“On what?”

“On several things, one of them is the person I’m kissing.” He paused, before adding, “If you ever feel up to it, I would genuinely love to kiss you.”

It sounded so simple, like an offer between friends. It made it easy to be straightforward with him in return.

“I’m not sure if I’ll ever be up to anything, to be honest.”

“Fair enough—” He opened his mouth to say more, but a loud knock on the door interrupted us.

“Your Highness?” Gem yelled from behind the door, pounding her fist against it. “Princess Aniri?”

It was late morning already. Gem must’ve let me sleep in, taking into account my visitor, no doubt. But now, she sounded rather panicky, her voice filled with worry.

“May I come in?”

“No!” I jumped off the bed and ran out from behind the silk screen separating my bed area from the rest of the bedroom.

I didn’t want anyone to see Salas and me on the bed together like that—warm, relaxed, and comfortable. Nothing indecent was going on. We weren’t even naked. He was wearing his entire outfit of the robe and sarong. I had a floor-length nightgown on. But this moment belonged to us and only us, and I felt fiercely protective about sharing it with anyone else.

“I’m fine.” I leaned with my hand against the solid door, as if to hold it against Gem’s invasion. “What do you want?”

“Oh, good morning, Your Highness.” Worry eased from Gem’s voice. She spoke loudly for me to hear her through the thick wooden door that I refused to open. “How are you doing today?”

Now, I sensed a teasing note in her voice.

“What do you want, Gem?” I replied flatly.

“Her Majesty is wondering if you’ll be in apositionto attend the council meeting this morning.” The word she emphasizedobviously meant to hint at all the possible positions I might be in with Salas right now.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her baiting me. “Why wouldn’t I?”

I checked the wall clock. I’d missed breakfast with my parents already. I’d never slept past breakfast. Ever. Usually, I was up before sunrise, if I even managed to fall asleep at all. Clearly, Salas proved to be a cozy sleeping partner. Warmth rushed through my body at the memory of cuddling against his back.

“I’ll be there,” I assured Gem.

“It’s starting in less than thirty minutes, Your Highness. Should I send a maid in to help you get dressed? How about a breakfast? To restore your strength?”

“No. Just... give me a minute. I’ll ring for the maid myself.”

I turned around to find Salas standing on this side of the screen. He must’ve heard at least my side of the conversation with Gem. Silently, he walked over to the couch to pick up his cloak.

It was time for us to part. A wisp of melancholy curled around my heart once again, but I couldn’t possibly keep him in my room forever.

He draped his cloak over his shoulders. Standing with my back to the door, I reached behind me and placed a hand on the door handle. Opening the door would end this night and our time together. It would burst our bubble of calm and sunshine, of just Salas and me. And I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

As he bent over to pick up the chain from the floor, I snapped, “Leave it. Gem will get rid of it.”

He straightened, stepping over the chain. His eyes found mine, and I saw some of my sadness reflected in them too.

“Salas...” I let go of the handle and stepped toward him, suddenly needing to be closer. Much, much closer.

I slipped a hand under his cloak and under his robe, finding his bare chest underneath the layers of fabric. I needed more. More of him. Before he left.

“This is the sign, Salas.” I tilted my head back, turning my face up to his. “The sign you’ve asked for.”

The focus in his eyes sharpened.

He leaned over me. Fast and unstoppable.