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A few paces away, Feref’s eyes narrowed on Ria. “And the woman, Your Majesty?”

“We will see to the woman,” an imperious voice rang out behind her. “Leave us.”

High King Toren. He’d been so still that she’d forgotten him for a moment, but she shouldn’t have. Oh, she shouldn’t have. He was renowned for his sometimes-harsh resolve.

And now it was settled on her.

* * *

Mehl hadn’t reacted physicallyto anyone except his husband in so long that he was caught by surprise at the arousal surging through him. But he couldn’t deny the effect of having the woman pressed up against his side. Though they were all in danger if Toren lost control, that didn’t seem to matter to Mehl’s semi-hard cock. Bad timing. He eased his arm from around her and made sure she was steady on her feet before stepping back.

As the door closed on the last guard, Ria sank to her knees, her head bowed. Mehl nearly groaned at the move. If she tipped her head back—

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” she said in a soft, fear-tinged voice. “I didn’t intend to touch you without permission. My father shoved me.”

“I know.” Mehl swallowed, trying to ease the rough sound of his own voice. At least her fear cooled most of his ardor. “I am aware of that, Ria. I was not offended. I suggest, however, that you move to the other side of the room while I speak with High King Toren.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Mehl had grown used to the honorific over the last century, but for some reason, he hated the sound of it from her lips. Not that he could tell her so without sounding like a fool. Instead, he reached out to grip her elbow, lending her support as she struggled to her feet. From her stifled wince, it was clear that the position had pained her injured legs, but the wide eyes she turned his way were more likely caused by his touch.

She stepped back and dipped her head. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

There was no telling what Toren intended to do about her, but Mehl had a sudden idea. Her father had claimed she had human blood, which would increase her fertility, and once her father had completed his punishment in the dungeon, she would need protection. Belak had even threatened to kidnap any children she produced. What child would be better guarded than the heir to the throne?

“Mehl,” Toren whispered, startling Mehl guiltily from his thoughts.

At the sight of the stress on his husband’s face, Mehl hurried over. “Can you contain it?” he asked quietly.

Toren slipped an arm around his waist and pulled him close. His voice was a bare whisper against Mehl’s ear. “My body cries out to test her as I did you.”

Mehl’s eyes widened. “You want to marry her?”

“Not…I hadn’t thought…” Toren’s forehead rested against Mehl. “That doesn’t have to be the end result. Something about her…”

“It made me hard to hold her against me,” Mehl confessed. He never kept secrets from Toren, no matter how damning they were. “I was just thinking about her predicament. And ours. But a simple breeding alliance shouldn’t require you to test her.”

Toren’s body trembled against his, and a tendril of power lashed at Mehl’s shields. “If you disagree, send her away. Now.”

Mehl glanced across the room at Ria, who did her best to avert her gaze. But she was watching them out of the corner of her eye. What must she think of them, ordering her to stay and then commanding her to the other side of the room? Few of the general populace knew of Toren’s vast power. Would she accept it? Did he want her to?

“Decide. I can’t…”

Abruptly, Ria looked up, and her eyes connected with his. The impact shocked him, and again, he went hard. Hell. Toren said she wouldn’t be bound to marry him, though that had been a result of the testing Mehl had borne. But in that case, they’d already started their relationship after decades of Mehl acting as his bodyguard. They’d been close to discussing marriage already.

That needn’t be so now. She wouldn’t be chained to them, and the testing would reveal if she’d told the truth. Maybe—

“Mehl…”

“Fine,” Mehl said. “But if she can’t bear it, then what?”

“Then pull me away and call for the guards to carry her to safety,” Toren rasped.

This might not be a good idea, but Mehl trusted Toren. There had to be a reason he was drawn to do this.

He would have to ensure she survived it.

* * *