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It was simple.

A large pale green pearl sat at one end of the gold pin. Waves were engraved into the pin itself. It ended in a sharp point.

Simple. Beautiful. Sharp.

Just like his wife.

He didn’t understand theneedhe felt to procure it for his wife. It seemed like it belonged with Mer. Nothing more.

Liar, liar.

“Gideon?” he called.

His friend arched a brow at Raziel but silently placed the coins on the artist’s table, plus a little extra for good measure. “Your work is stunning.”

The woman beamed. “Thank you,” she blurted out, glancing up at Raziel before looking back to the ground. “Would you like me to wrap it?”

“No.” Raziel pocketed the object, his thumb running over the pearl. Satisfaction settled over him at the purchase. It was a good gift—no,peace offering, lest Mer get the wrong idea.

“If I might be so bold,” the woman said softly, “our lady might like these.” She pushed a set of dainty silver hair clips with small purple-and-orange shells, accented with peach seed pearls. “These are good for shorter hair,” she explained, lacing her fingers together.

He eyed them and fiddled with the hairpin in the pocket of his sleeveless robe. Her hair wasn’t long enough for the pin, so she’d have to wait to use it, but the clips...

“Wrap them,” he demanded gruffly, feeling too many eyes on him, including Keventin, who had turned around to see what held them up.

The woman quickly packaged the clips and set them on the table. Raziel scooped up the small parcel and shoved it unceremoniously in his other pocket while Gideon paid the merchant. He continued on, smiling to those who met his gaze, ignoring the annoying boasting of Keventin as they perused the wares.

Gideon caught up with him and shoved his hands in his pockets but said nothing.

Raziel’s jaw clenched, wanting to explain himself but knowing he didn’t need to. “I couldn’t go to the market and not support my people.” A logical explanation.

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

Except he felt the need to. “They were pretty,” Raz admitted, feeling a little vulnerable.

“Like your wife?” his friend teased gently.

He scowled at Gideon but didn’t refute his words. It would make him a liar if he did. Raz had expected her to be cold like the sea, but she was all flames and fire like the sun. Despite her prickly nature, he was inexplicably drawn to her. It was off-putting and inconvenient.

Sighing, Raz shrugged. “She needed them.” Which was true. Over the course of the last few days of meditation, her hair was constantly tangled and in her eyes. It made him want to smooth the wavy locks out of the way. That was not something he could indulge in. Their marriage was an agreement made for the better good. He had no plans of forming any attachments.

“They suit her. You chose well.”

Raz shoved down the burst of pleasure at the compliment. It didn’t matter if she liked them or not. She had a need, and as her king, he was duty bound to provide her with what she needed.

Keventin smiled widely at Raziel, the wounds pulling on his face. “Are you ready to tour our newest warship, my king?”

“I am looking forward to seeing what you’ve done to my fleet,” he replied.

The duke’s smile was sharp. “I aim to please.” He turned his back to Raz and strode ahead.

“He didn’t like your reminder that the fleet is yours,” Gideon muttered. “He’s going to be a problem.”

“Keventin is already a problem,” Raziel growled.

The market gave way to the naval docks. Magnificent warships bobbed in the harbor. Seagulls screeched from the skies, circling high above. Uniformed officers stood at attention at the end of the closest dock. Raziel spotted Captain Velicu standing on the warship, her signature long navy coat fluttering in the wind. She’d been given command of the new ship. At least the duke had listened to Raziel in his suggestion for the outstanding female captain to be rewarded.

Keventin paused next to Mer, and for some reason, it made the hair along Raziel’s arms stand at attention.