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Beside him, Toren tensed, a sudden fire lighting his eyes. But he stared at Mehl instead of Ria.“If she seeks passion… I cannot touch her first, Mehl. Not when I am so volatile. Can you ease her uncertainty?”

Toren’s mental voice held the burn of his power, the magic barely restrained. Ria had so much spirit, but that kind of intensity after they’d scared her once already? It wouldn’t go well. Mehl gave Toren the slightest nod.

“Contract or no, we would never force you,” Mehl said. “In fact, I believe the contract forbids such a thing.”

Ria’s hands lowered to her sides, and she straightened. “I know. It’s just strange to be so deliberate about it all. So matter of fact. I’m unaccustomed to bedding someone for any reason save pleasure.”

Even as Mehl’s heart softened, his body heated. This time, he eased closer and cupped her cheek in his palm. Ria stared up at him in surprise, her lips parting on a gasp. Slowly, he slid his fingers through her hair until he could tip her head back for his kiss.

“Then perhaps we should begin with pleasure?” Mehl murmured.

Ria licked her bottom lip. “Yes.”

Still, Mehl hesitated. “Toren?”

“Yes,” his husband growled.

Permission granted, Mehl swooped to claim. Her mouth was heaven, and his cock went painfully hard at the memory of how she’d felt sucking him to completion in the receiving room. But this time,hewould take care ofher. He would stretch her atop their bed, spread her legs wide, and pleasure her until she begged. Then Toren could fuck her if she wished.

Mehl pulled his lips from hers, but he tucked her body against his. Her eyes widened as his cock pressed into her stomach. Someday, Toren’s child would rest within her there, and Mehl would finally be able to claim her fully. It was all he could do not to lower her to the floor now and damn the consequences.

The rumble of Toren’s low groan helped Mehl gather his control.

But he couldn’t reign in his frustration when a knock sounded on the outer door.

Chapter15

The Judgment

Toren was so focused on the delectable sight before him that he nearly missed the knock at the door. But then Ria jerked out of Mehl’s arms, a furious blush lighting her face, and Mehl groaned and glared at the door. As his energy surged, Toren turned his own scowl in the same direction.

Unfortunately, he recognized the knock’s cadence—Feref. For multiple reasons, Toren wouldn’t ignorehispresence. “Enter.”

His chamberlain no doubt heard the bite to his tone, for he entered more slowly than usual, his eyes downcast. Only when Feref had closed the door soundly behind himself did he skim his gaze over the room. He froze at the sight of Ria, and his skin went as pale and blotched as a cloud at sunset.

“I see you are aware of your transgression against me,” Toren said coldly.

Feref dropped to his knees. “High King, I swear I did not intend to act against you.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Toren saw his husband take Ria’s hand and draw her closer to Toren. A show of solidarity, but safety, too—for Feref. Toren’s magic was far too uncertain for this, but it had to be handled.

His expression hardened. “Because of your years of service, I will give you a chance to explain.”

Feref nodded, but he didn’t look up. “I want no harm to come to the woman, but I could not bear to place her closer with yet more danger in the palace. She arrived here with poison, Your Majesties. I have served you proudly since you were a prince, High King Toren, and it goes against my heart to see you in danger. I had…hoped you might forget. Or simply reconsider.”

Forget? Was he daft?

Mehl let out a snort-chuckle. “We have a binding contract, Feref. You might not have been in the room when it was sealed or signed, but I know you are aware.”

The chamberlain’s skin mottled to a sunset red. He understood exactly what Mehl meant by “sealed,” and it wasn’t the wax affixed to the contract. The guard outside the receiving room would have heard their sounds of pleasure as they’d claimed Ria, and what one servant or warrior in the palace knew, Feref soon learned.

“It will be a shame to lose you as my chamberlain,” Toren mused. “I count on you immensely.”

Feref nearly choked on a gasp. “Your Majesty? You cannot be… I thought only of your well-being. It is my paramount concern.”

“You shared that concern with me earlier, and I appreciated it. However.” Toren stiffened his spine. It truly was a shame, but he had little choice. “I cannot allow you to countermand me in such a way. After so many centuries of service, you cannot convince me you weren’t aware of what I wanted. You are also aware that Ria is now the Duchess of Nevial, and yet you didn’t even grant her a noble’s rooms.”

The chamberlain flicked a quick, angry glance Ria’s way. “I thought it safest, since she was returning from themerchant’sarea.”