A minute passed before he moved, and Terena chanced a quick look at him. Turning away, his hands moved to clasp at his back.
“I do not need to remind you, you will not speak a word of our conversation to anyone,” he said as he turned one last time to look at her, his dark eyes narrowed at her.
“Including my son. If you dare say anything, I will ensure those words are your last.”
Terena swore she saw a look of disdain on his cold, plain face before he turned away and called out over his shoulder with a wave of his hand, “You’re dismissed!”
Terena walked swiftlyup a few flights of stairs and turned down several corridors until she reached the small private garden where she and Lerek usually met.
The Winter Garden was at the top of the Diamond Tower. Before it was converted into accommodations for palace guests, the tower was solely for the empresses and their courts. But Empress Adanna had preferred staying with her husband and sons in the Royal Tower, so had allocated the beautiful rooms to the honored guests and the Tasters.
Terena entered and spotted Lerek immediately, sitting on the stone bench in front of the statue of the goddess, Nyx. He wore the flowing white pants with matching silk coat he usually preferred, gold epaulettes at his shoulders the only adornment, preferring to wear jewelry over detailing on his clothes. A year ago, he would’ve foregone the shirt he now wore beneath the coat, but now his wardrobe always included multiple layers.
He was frowning, lost in thought as he played with a bracelet on his right wrist, pulling it off and on again. As she neared, her heart flipped to see it was the one she’d given him a year ago for his Name’s Day.
The first time he’d kissed her.
As if he’d heard her thoughts, he looked up, his lips curling in a soft smile.
“You look smug.”
Lerek stood, his smile growing. “How can I not? My lady has returned.”
Terena laughed. She watched as he slipped the bangle onto his wrist before pulling her into his arms. She went readily, her face turned up to his for a kiss that snatched the breath from her lungs. Hetightened his grip, deepening the kiss, then trailed his lips down her neck.
Terena shivered, her breath coming fast and hot when his hands dropped to her waist. Her eyes closed and she let out a small laugh.
“You’ve missed me.”
“Let me show you how much,” Lerek said, then scrunched his nose. “But first, you need to bathe, my love.”
Terena let out a noise of protest and twisted to get out of his embrace.
“That’s what you have to say after months apart?”
He laughed and tugged her hand to pull her back. “I missed you. Of course, I missed you. But I have a meeting shortly. I figured you’d want to freshen up and then we could…” He leaned down once more and kissed her neck. When she moaned, he tightened his embrace.
“I stink, remember?” she whispered, although she dropped her head back so he had more access to her neck. He obliged by leaving soft kisses along the column down to her shoulder. She shivered and pushed at him.
“Lerek,” she protested.
Lerek pulled back but did not release her. “All right,” he said with a sigh, then winked at her. “To be continued this evening.”
“Tell me what you know of this northern king.”
Lerek blinked. “Ever the romantic.” He released his hold on her and sat back down on the stone bench, tugging her hand so she sat next to him. “What do you wish to know?”
She shrugged. “Don’t you find it odd one minute no one’s heard of him and the next soldiers are leaving their legions and mercenaries are flocking to the northernmost cities of the continent, all intent on fighting under his banner? I’ve not been gone long enough for anyone to become so strong the emperor sees fit to send his heir in a convoy to treat with him.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m going to treat with him, exactly,” Lerek said as he played with her fingers.
“Then why go?”
Lerek dropped his gaze to their joined hands. She stilled at his hesitation. Terena sighed loudly and rose.
A long, uncomfortable silence stretched between them. Terena dropped her eyes to her hands. She knew there were things he couldn’t tell her. Political things she knew the emperor did not want her or anyone knowing, but it still hurt when Lerek pushed her away like this.
“Forget I asked,” she whispered.
