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“I’m sorry, Ria.”

This time, she was the one who blinked. Had he somehow guessed her thoughts, or was it something else? “For what?”

“I should not have started this argument in front of you,” Mehl answered softly. “I fear my anger has harmed both Toren and you. I hope you aren’t too frightened.”

A little frown of worry wrinkled his brow, and Ria melted inside a little at his concern, one that usually would have been accurate. She’d been too distracted about the newest revelation to heed their argument, though. Had Toren even told him that she didn’t know about the spy? Mehl clearly wasn’t oblivious in general to her feelings, but he hadn’t mentioned it. Curious.

“Ria?” Mehl asked.

Now she was the one causing distress with her silence. She forced her thoughts back to what he’d said. “I’m not scared, but I suppose I am upset. You’re not the only one who needs to have words with Toren.”

“Not words like mine, I hope,” Mehl said, his voice rough with regret. “I need to go after him, but I don’t know what to say.”

Ria couldn’t resist giving his upper arm a comforting rub, but his startled glance down at her hand had her jerking away. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have…”

“No.”

Her heart dropped at his pained response, but before she could back away farther, Mehl wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. He buried his face against the side of her neck, his breath tickling and heating her skin. But there was no apparent desire behind the embrace, not that she could detect. This seemed more like comfort-seeking.

Ria softened against him, curling her arms gently around his head to hold him close.

When he finally eased back, his eyes held chagrin. “Forgive me. Again. I should not have grabbed you in such a way without permission.”

In that moment, there was something…different about him. A vulnerability. Mehl had never seemed as imperious or commanding as Toren, but he possessed his own kind of strength, one as steady as bedrock. To see him so shaken made her long to hold him again.

To comfort.

“I wasn’t offended,” Ria said. “Only surprised. And you’re right. You need to go after Toren.”

Mehl started to shove his hand through his hair, only to be stopped by his crown. She nearly smiled at his frustrated curse, for it so echoed the sentiment behind the argument she’d witnessed. Unfortunately, he probably wouldn’t appreciate the humor.

“I’m not sure I have ever said anything so cruel.” Mehl averted his gaze. “I didn’t mean it. But I don’t know if he will listen.”

Ria could have lied and told him it would be an easy apology—they clearly loved one another deeply. It would do him no favors, though. Even without knowing Toren nearly so well, she’d been able to see how deeply he’d been wounded. She had no clue what insecurity Mehl’s comment had slashed open, but she thought she understood the effect. No one wanted to be dismissed as an interchangeable lover. No married pair, at least.

She wasn’t exactly fond of the feeling herself. But that was her own burden, wasn’t it?

“Go on,” she said. “You’ll not forgive yourself if you leave it to fester.”

“You—”

“I’ll sleep in my room tonight,” she assured him. In a way, it would almost be a relief. She needed time to process her anger with Toren. “I could use the rest after the events of the last couple of days. Itissafe to be alone, right? With a spy on the loose?”

“As safe as anyone can be. There are wards on the family wing, and mages scan frequently for danger.”

Ria forced a smile. “Then go.”

Mehl peered at her a moment as though he might argue, but he finally nodded. “I’ll tell Toren. If he lets me.”

“He will.” Impulsively, she lifted on her tiptoes and kissed Mehl on the cheek. “Have some time without me. I’ll get some sleep.”

Gods, she hoped she’d be able to sleep.

* * *

Toren pacedcircles around the sitting room, but he couldn’t escape Mehl’s claim.No purpose beyond your bed.His stomach churned at the endless refrain of those words. They’d been married nearly a century and together for several years before that. Had his husband spent the entire time believing Toren had used him for sex?

So often, Mehl yielded to him. To his barely leashed magic. His temper and possessiveness. Toren had thought of it as a gift—a blessing. But maybe it had been a lie. Had he taken what he’d believed offered?