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We didn’t seal our bites. By unspoken agreement, we left them open, blood and two decades of devotion flowing down our limbs. He gathered it on his palm and used it to slick my shaft as he fucked me.

I moaned into his mouth and jerked my hips, impaling myself on his dick as I burned up. Turned to cinders and reformed just so I could go up in flames again. Eventually, our movements grew too frantic to maintain our kiss. Gasping, we stared into each other’s eyes.

“Are you going to come for me?” he asked, his hips slapping loudly against my ass. His fist flew up and down my dick, which was red with our blood.

I couldn’t speak. Could only nod and let my head loll on his shoulder.

“Do it.” He fucked me hard, his thrusts forcing me off my knees. He bared his fangs and pumped my dick. “Right now, my prince. Come for me.”

My body leapt to obey, my release slamming into me and stealing my breath and most of my mind. I spurted onto his hand and the floor of the Sanctum. A second later, he shuddered and emptied deep inside me. Hot seed filled my ass. As our vow pulled taut in my chest, I remembered that levu was the first bly’ad I’d ever earned. From the beginning, I’d only ever wanted to be bound.

When it was over, he pressed his lips to my cheek and breathed me in. We embraced, both of us full and empty.

She waited for us. With soft hands, she pulled us to our feet. One by one, we kissed her. Wife. As far as I knew, the only halfling to have ever uttered the language of the gods.

“Go finish it,” she told me with a glance toward the others I’d forgotten until just now.

“Yes, my lady.”

I walked through her roses, my steps leaving bloody footprints. Blood coated my skin and my sated cock. Seed dripped down my thighs. I strode down the center of the Sanctum with Doru’s favor clinging to me. Halfway to the others, my feet left the floor.

Power.

It was mine now. I glided on it, drifting through the air to stop before the one who had tried to remove my crown.

“Artur of Lar Guna,” I said. “Look at me.”

He lifted his head. Red, swollen eyes followed my progress and filled with awe as I floated down to the floor. The other lords kept their heads bowed. The knights behind them rose, ready for my command. With just one word, I could wipe my Council clean. But…

I am not my father to murder in cold blood.

I am not my father.

I am not.

I am.

I am enough.

“I took your advice, Artur,” I said. “I appointed a High Priest. Me.”

Around the Sanctum, candles flared high, the flames spitting and hissing.

Lar Guna bowed his head. His tears splashed the obsidian as he spoke in a broken whisper. “May the gods forgive my ignorance. I have looked upon Doru this day, and I am humbled, Your Grace. Forgive me.”

I looked at the rest of the lords, letting my gaze linger on each one. They were pale and trembling, except for Sergiu of Lar Bassa, who met my eyes unflinchingly. A soft smile touched his lips.

I spread my arms. “Let it be known that my first act as High Priest was to bind Varick of Lar Keiren and Given of Eldenvalla and Nor Doru in marriage. My second act was to bind Varick of Lar Keiren and myself in marriage.” I looked at Lar Guna. “So you see, Artur? Varick is my husband now. By law, I can’t deny him my bed.”

Lar Guna nodded, his tears flowing faster.

I raised my voice. “My queen and general and I are bound before the gods. Does anyone object?”

Silence. The knights waited, their glowing eyes steady. The lords tensed. One closed his eyes and released a shuddering breath, clearly prepared to feel the bite of steel on his neck.

“Good,” I said. “Rem.” The temple doors flew open. Lar Guna sagged, released at last from the bly’ad I’d set upon him in Lar Budina.

He lifted his gaze, hope kindling in his eyes.