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“May I speak plainly, as I would have when we were young?”

Toren inclined his head. “Yes.”

Only then did Feref glance up. “I know you need an heir. That is vital with your brother’s challenge hanging over us all. I’m also aware that Ber worked with your mother’s chamberlain to administer the poison that killed her. Your brother is beyond ruthless, and fighting him allows no distractions. Ria…Lady Ria has more of your attention than may be wise, and her arrival here under suspicious circumstances does her no credit.”

There was truth to what Feref said, even if Toren didn’t want to admit it. But at the same time, his instincts cried one thing:she is the answer.He just didn’t know why.

“How am I to sire an heir without that attention?” Toren asked instead.

Feref’s lips twisted wryly. “I have no doubt you have that part covered, Toren. But your eyes draw toward her for more than sex. Mehl’s, too. I haven’t noted the like since I watched you and Mehl pretend you weren’t falling in love with each other. It concerns me, since she may not be what she seems. But if you tested her with your magic, then I will do my best to give her my trust regardless of my future place here.”

Sighing, Toren pinched the bridge of his nose. What was the best course of action? Surely not dismissing the man who’d been more friend than servant before rank came between them. Feref hadn’t called him by name alone for decades—maybe a couple of centuries. That was something that should perhaps change.

But not yet.

He dropped his hand back to his side. “Stand up, Feref. I believe Mehl’s plan to be a sound one.”

Feref rose to his feet, cautious relief crossing his face. “I’m appreciative. However, if you are uncertain of me, I understand—”

“You’ll not talk your way out of the job just to save yourself the extra duties,” Toren said with forced sternness. “For the foreseeable future, you will tell me how you intend to complete all orders I give, and you will attend to Lady Ria’s requests whenever possible.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” Feref bowed. “I will do my utmost not to squander this chance.”

Toren nodded. “Good. Now, tell me what happened with the Centoi contingent.”

Whatever the news, it ultimately wasn’t likely to be good.

* * *

Ria had barely managedto get a look at the huge, sumptuous room before Mehl tugged her close, his mouth claiming hers so thoroughly she no longer cared where they were. Her world became the tangle of their tongues and the smooth slide of his hair between her fingers as she anchored herself to him.

Needy, she rubbed against him and groaned at the spear of pleasure. Mehl growled low, the hum rumbling between them as he grabbed her thighs and lifted her. Ria wrapped her legs around his waist, then nearly yelped when he started walking. Each stride rubbed his cock against her, only a few thin layers of clothing between them.

Ria expected him to toss her onto the bed, but he lowered her gently—almost reverently—to the coverlet. He crawled up beside her, bracing himself on one elbow and staring at her intently. Instead of kissing her again, he cupped the side of her face, then traced his hand gently along her throat and down to her breast.

His thumb toyed almost absently with her nipple. “Are you still eager for a bit of pleasure, Ria?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “But last time, Toren granted you one kiss only.”

Mehl bent his head and nipped gently at her lower lip. “He fears taking you with his magic so heightened. He’ll be less concerned if you’re not nervous.”

Ria chuckled. “And you aim to ease that?”

“One does what one must.” Abruptly, he pinched her nipple, and her back bowed off the bed. “If you’re amenable to distraction?”

“They’ll hear if I—”

“No.” Mehl’s grin turned wicked. “There’s a spell on the walls to muffle sound. Is that all?”

Ria threaded her fingers through his hair once more and gave a tug. “Yes.”

But he resisted. Instead, Mehl straightened from the bed and gripped her legs, tugging until her bottom was at the very edge. He ran his hands up her calves, then thighs, and with the glide of his palms, he slid her skirt higher. A quick tug of her underclothes, and she was bare to him. Completely open.

Mehl’s heated gaze met hers. “Ready to see a king on his knees?”

Then he dropped down beside the bed and showed her just how talented he was with lips and tongue.

Chapter16