“That’s not true. You tell me all the time. You just don’t use words. Someone with your lips and your pierced nipples has found a better way than words to make a man feel loved.”
She pressed her hand over his mouth. “That’s enough discussion of my wanton ways.”
He stood, and she realized the sheath for his knife was strapped around his waist. He wore trousers, not skin pants, so it looked out of place.
“Linc, why do you have your knife?”
“A bit of sport.”
“An impromptu bit of sport? Before breakfast? At the castle of some of the world’s most distinguished aristocrats? On the morning after your wedding night? I can’t see how they can have thought that was appropriate?”
“Can I get you anything before I go back outside? A tonic or some numbing gel?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Before you go back out? To finish the sporting match?”
“We’re close to finishing.”
“You think sporting games are silly. You told me so on the luxury liner.”
“These men are worthy enough opponents with weapons. I wouldn’t waste time in a hand-to-hand contest with the lord who’s a scholar, not a fighter, but the commander might be worth the time. He’s big. And a fierce soldier by reputation.”
“What’s going on, Linc?”
He stroked his chin where his beard was growing back. “A challenge between men. Three contests. Logic and sport.”
“To what end?” she asked, unable to keep the shock from her voice. Warriors competing in training she could understand, but not this.
“They’re indulging a young groom.”
“Again…to what end?”
“So Lord Calex is pressed into reciprocating.”
Her brows rose.
“They had the option of watching us last night. I said I’d like to watch him with his wife tonight.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs. What was happening? “You—Larsinc, you didn’t tell him that!”
“Of course, I did.”
“You did that because it’s what I said I wanted?”
He nodded.
“Did you tell them it was me that wanted to watch them?”
“No.”
She covered her mouth, shaking her head. “They’ll think we’re completely debauched.”
“No more so than the owners of that playroom,” he said dryly.
“It’s different! And you don’t know that he’s ever even used that room since he married her.”
“I know she was with him when they came to watch me deflower you.”
The scalding heat in her cheeks made her press her hands to her face. “Even if that’s true, you’re a warrior and I’m a minor heiress. She’s the most famous and powerful princess in the federation.”
