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'I am chasing the future my kingdoms deserve.'

Footsteps halted at the doorway, and Fyia looked up to see Adigos, his features hesitant. 'You called for me?' he asked. 'I can come back …'

Fyia had called for him. He'd been unusually sullen since she'd reminded him their relationship was sex and nothing more. Starfall stood, water streaming from her naked body, and Adigos shifted uncomfortably, averting his gaze.

Fyia stood also, wrapping herself in a robe as Starfall stalked from the room, with the barest nod of deference.

'Come,' said Fyia, leading Adigos to the couches where refreshments awaited. Her argument with Starfall had been disappointing, not giving her the release she'd sought, and her chest coiled tight with frustration.

She stopped abruptly beside a couch, and felt Adigos halt behind her. She reached for his hands, pulling him forward until his back was flush against her, then placed his hands on her breasts. He hesitated, so she reached back and stroked him through his breeches. He huffed into her shoulder.

'Fyia … I,' he said, his lips brushing the delicate skin of her neck. His words were reticent, but his hands began kneading her breasts.

She spun and looked up into his burning eyes. It was all she needed to see—he still wanted her—and she pounced, her feral mouth crashing into his, the knot of tight angst in her chest spurring her on. They devoured each other, their kisses deep, the rough scrape of his tongue over hers sending bolts of electricity to the base of her belly.

He pulled the flimsy material of her robe apart, and she released him from his breeches. He grabbed handfuls of her backside, hoisting her against him. She lifted her leg, and he wrapped it around his waist, supporting her as she guided him inside.

He moved, but it wasn't enough, so she urged him faster, clawing at his back. He lifted her, and she wrapped both legs around him, crying out as he pressed her back against a pillar.

He thrust into her with frantic movements, and she dug her hands into his hair, moaning and gasping.

'Gods,' he choked, 'Fyia …'

She convulsed around him as his thrusts became erratic. He groaned, making small pumping movements, and then stilled, panting, holding her to him.

He dropped her back to the floor, and the air went taut; something between them had changed. She pulled her robe closed, and he avoided her gaze as he re-buttoned his breeches.

'Adigos …'

'I love you, Fyia,' he said.

'Adi …'

'I want us to be together.'

'No.'

Fyia's mood took a turn for the worse. She should never have let him into her bed …

'Fyia …'

She let out a growl of frustration. 'This is over,' she said, forcing herself to meet his gaze, so he knew she meant it. 'You could have your pick of any woman … any but me. They swoon and bat their eyes as you walk by. And not only vacuous women, but intelligent, formidable ones too. Pick one of them to make you happy, for I will not marry you. I will not marry anyone.'

'We don't have to marry,' said Adigos.

Fyia barked out a cruel laugh. 'You would be my concubine?'

He scowled. 'Your consort,' he said, biting out the word.

'I told you from the beginning, this was physical, nothing more. You said you understood.'

'I do understand, but that doesn't mean I accept it.'

Fyia threw up her hands. 'I am going north. You are not.'

'Fyia … please.'

'I recommend you use the time without me to find a woman who actually wants to be your wife.'