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“I will have to think on the dungeon, but I most definitely can take you to the war room,” he offered.

“If you are expecting a reward, then I will find it on my own.”

Geryon smiled awfully cheekily, pulling a ring of keys connected to a lengthy chain from inside his coat. “You may find it at the end of these long halls, but you will not be able to enter it, vicious mouse.”

She narrowed her eyes at the keys before her gaze turned away, bored. She didn’t seem to care about his endearment.

“You have already made your intentions obvious and will wish for an exchange in revealing the war room.”

“Come now, Cecily, you paint me as devious. Perhaps I will unlock it regardless.”

Her face remained plain of expression when most women would have pursed their lips in thought or irritation. He found it endearing that she was trying so hard.

“Why are you pursuing me? If you are truly King Bradwick’s loyal servant, then should you not act accordingly?”

“I am loyal to him in the ways that matter. It is not like you are his wife, nor is there certainty that you will be.” He frowned for a long moment. “And why would I not want to pursue you? I find you rather... tempting, enough that I would even consider doing so.”

The face she gave, and the roll of her eyes, made it obvious she didn’t believe him.

“You are trying to make it appear as though I am the first woman of the court you have tried to play this game with. I am not so easily swayed, Lord Geryon.”

Geryon scowled, having been caught out in his trickery.

“That is not what I insinuated. All I am saying is that it is a rare occurrence when it does happen. You are welcome to ask Victoria about me. I am not often part of court and prefer to be on my own.”

“That still does not answer my question. There are three other ladies here for King Bradwick, and many more of the court. I find it hard to believe it is I you have singled out when they are far more appealing.” When he opened his mouth to disagree, her features dulled to show she wasn’t going to hear it. “I am often told I am cold and unfeeling.”

Geryon chuckled loudly. “But that is exactly what I do so sincerely like about you.”

He turned to her, lifting his hand to run it against her cheek. No one was around to see him do it; they were too far away from the centre of the palace to have people loitering here.

“I am sure under that icy stare, there is a woman who is as hot as an inferno in the throes.” He stepped closer, bringing them almost nose to nose. “I am very much interested in meeting her.”

His eyes darted down to her lips. She must have noticed because she stepped back to put space between them.

“Come now,” he said with a hint of humour. “You must have realised by now that I am not an unthinking brute. Someone like Charlotte would never interest me.” He brought his hand up to cup his chin when they began walking again. He shuddered in thought. “The way she clings to Bradwick is rather off-putting, even more so than her lack of brains.”

She said nothing, but he could tell she was stemming the want to smile. Geryon knocked his elbow gently into her arm.

“Do not pretend you do not despise her every walking step. I have seen you behave with spitefulness towards her. The servants are still trying to find the crack in the floor that tripped her.”

“You almost gave me away that day,” she grumbled, but her smile started to grow. It was fleeting. “And what of Savannah?”

Geryon gave low a whistle, shaking his head once. “Woman has quite the look, but I would rather not be one of the many men lining up.”

“Wyetta is perfect for King Bradwick,” she surprised him by saying. “If he chooses anyone else, he will be lessening the quality of his queen.”

“It is true, something I have already seen. He will not tolerate your intellect for long, nor your coldness, and the others have their failing qualities. She is most suited for the position.”But no one can tell him this. He is the kind of man who will need to come to such a realisation on his own.“But what others may think of as a failing quality is perhaps one that I find desirous.”

She raised her brow in his direction, causing him to grin. He’d brought them back to the original conversation.

The more she understood his desire, the more she would come to like him. It wasn’t about getting his dick wet, but something more, something special that only a woman like her could give him.

“Also, we have arrived at our destination.”

He pulled out his key and unlocked the door at the very end of this wing. He ushered her forward by swiping his hand in the direction of the war room while holding the door for her.

It revealed a large room with scrolls and books packed away into doorless cabinets. In the centre of the room was a large oval table, sunken so figurines could be placed down. It was painted with the closest lands to King Bradwick’s kingdom, but painted boards could be placed inside to map further.