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Your lady.The slight emphasis on the honorific was both an acknowledgement of Ria’s importance and a politely couched inquiry—one easily ignored if he wished.

He didn’t wish.

“You have heard that Lady Ria is now the royal consort?” Toren asked. At Erense’s nod, he injected a hint of smug haughtiness into his voice. “It is not a temporary position. Treat her as you would a queen.”

Ria might not ever be willing to marry them formally, but Toren was undaunted. No matter her title, she would be honored in his kingdom. Any who treated her as lesser would face his wrath. And from the gleam in the mage’s eyes, he could tell that the message was perfectly clear to at least one person.

* * *

When Mehl returnedto the Mage’s Library, he found Ria frowning down at a book with intense concentration. He stopped and leaned against the side of a bookcase, content to simply watch her for a moment. She appeared oblivious to the curious glances she received from the pair of young students across the room and the heavier, more considering gaze of Sir Everot. She hadn’t even looked up at Mehl’s entry.

Her brown hair glimmered with hints of gold beneath the mage lights, and the teal of her dress showcased the warm undertones of her skin. Set against the rich, variegated shades of the wooden table and the jeweled hues of the books’ bindings, she looked spectacular. She could have been posing for a portrait.The Scholar Queen. Ah, she would be so angry at him for the very suggestion.

Abruptly, she looked up. “I can’t concentrate while you’re staring at me.”

“I hadn’t thought you’d noticed me,” Mehl replied, crossing the rest of the space between them.

Ria shrugged. “I felt the increase of your energy. Toren will be here soon, too.”

Would he? Mehl turned his attention inward and was surprised to find that she was correct. Now that he studied their link, he could detect the shift in Toren’s power that indicated movement, but he hadn’t noticed without her prompting. Interesting. Was it more apparent to Ria because she’d forged the link or because she was better with magic? Perhaps she’d been analyzing their connection when he’d arrived.

“Were you seeking us out on purpose?” Mehl asked.

A line formed between her brows. “No. Would it be a problem if I had been?”

“Of course not.” He leaned against the edge of the table and smiled. “It’s only that I hadn’t noticed the energy shifting until you said something.”

“That’s curious. I sense you both clearly, whether I want to or not.” Though her words were wry, she returned his smile. “I wonder if it’s dependent on our talents or if it’s only me. I do tend to be aware of people in general.”

The sad reason behind that possibility struck him like a blow. Her father. Those who’d suffered abuse were often sensitive to things that others missed.

“Not that I’m perfect at observing my surroundings,” she continued. “Or I wouldn’t have been injured in my own bedroom.”

Injured? When had she…? Ah, she was surely referring to Tes without mentioning her name. Wise, considering they weren’t alone. “You were distracted.”

Ria shrugged. “I suppose.”

“Well, I’m afraid I’m here to distract you in a different way,” Mehl said, attempting to change the subject. Only to chuckle at the glimmer of desire sparking in her eyes. “And not that way, either. The royal archives, remember?”

Gods help him, she actually looked disappointed. He had to admit that he would far rather drag her and/or Toren back to their bedroom himself, but they needed to see this other task done. Although… The royal archives were typically empty since the head archivist was the only other non-royal allowed entry. Mehl could bend Ria over a table and—

He nearly groaned. No, he couldn’t. Not and do what he really wanted. If it took months—he wouldn’t even consider years—for her to get pregnant, he would lose his mind.

Ria laughed. “Perhaps aquickintroduction to the archivist would be best.”

“Oh, certainly.” He narrowed his eyes on her face. “We have a full court dinner soon, after all.”

At Ria’s groan, he could only grin.

* * *

Hours later,Ria plopped down on the stool beside her dressing table and waited for one of the servants to undo the elaborate braids she’d worn to the interminable dinner. Part of her hated that her things were still separate from Mehl’s and Toren’s, requiring her to change in her old room, but it was also nice to have alone time after the frenzied afternoon and evening.

A maid in an immaculately tailored dress stepped up behind her and began to pull out her hairpins.Sort of alone,Ria thought wryly. But if she was to live as the royal consort, she would have to learn to count these moments as such, for she could already tell that true privacy was hard-won for the royal family.

Feref’s voice echoed from the outer room as he instructed the other servants to put away her discarded clothing. After all that had transpired, she didn’t know what to make of the chamberlain. He was scrupulously polite—almost to a ridiculous degree. Did he fear that Toren might still dismiss him? She couldn’t let that happen. The last day had demonstrated Feref’s value beyond any doubt.

According to Mehl, Feref had already spoken to Tes about their latest plans and had helped the princess write the letter they would use to explain her presence. No questions or hesitation, only loyalty. He kept track of the kings’ every appointment, too, and no small amount of palace business. How often had she heard Toren defer a matter to Feref today alone?