“But, so soon ...” She bit her lip.
“You are not pleased?” he asked, studying her thoughtfully. The prince could read her like a book.
“I am.” Vhalla fussed with a lock of his limp hair up by his shoulder, noting that he’d washed it before meeting the majors. “It’s so ...soon.”
“What is wrong with soon?” Aldrik arched an eyebrow. “Nothing,” she murmured.
“You do not think that word will fool me, do you?” He tightened his grip around her briefly, forcing her to look back at him.
“I’m—” She paused. “I’m trying to focus on the now, over the later.”
“Vhalla,” his voice had a serious severity to it. “Earlier, did you think I was uttering sweet words to seduce you into my bed?” Aldrik studied her reaction. “This is not temporary. Unless ... you wish for it to be?” She shook her head hastily. “Good. You are my lady, and I will see the world knows it. I will place you by my side, I promise.”
Vhalla stared at him in awe. Things had changed between them.Aldrik knew, she saw the glint in his eyes that told her he understood all too well the forces that had pushed her over the edge and into his bed. Her overwhelming adoration for him combined with the sickening worry that every moment could be their last. She knew he understood it because he had similar emotions clouding his eyes.
She leaned forward and pressed her lips firmly against his.He owed her nothing. The pleasure of knowing and loving him was enough.
Aldrik sighed softly, his eyes fluttering open after the kiss. He drew a slow breath, opening his mouth to continue—only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.
Vhalla stiffened in panic. He shook his head, forcing her to trust in whatever he would come up with. The visitor knocked again.
“Brother?” It was Baldair, and they both breathed a sigh of relief in unison. “Brother, the meeting is breaking for dinner. Would you care to join us? Is Vhalla Projecting?”
Aldrik was visibly conflicted. Finally making up his mind, he pulled away from her, scanning the room for his trousers. Vhalla drew the covers up to her ears as he tugged on the pants, returning to a somewhat decent state. His hair, however, was an awful mess, and Vhalla’s eyes fell to his shoulders. She opened her mouth to stop him just as he opened the door a crack.
“Is Father still there?” Aldrik asked. Vhalla’s eyes widened. He clearly expected his state to convey the rest. There was a long silence.
“Oh,oh. Oh! Oh, Mother!” She heard the cringe in Baldair’s hasty whispers. He paced away from the door before returning. “Gods, Aldrik!Really?Here?”
“Is Father still engaged?” Aldrik repeated, though from his profile in the halfway opened door, Vhalla saw the makings of an arrogant smirk curling his mouth.
She grinned wickedly, feeling like a wild youth.
“I can see her pants on the floor!” Baldair’s hand appeared in the doorframe as he motioned toward the foot of the bed. Vhalla sat, holding the blankets to her chest. That was indeed where they had ended up. “And, you have—Gods, Vhalla, I didn’t know you were rough!”
Vhalla bit her lip, but it couldn’t suppress a small giggle. She looked back to Aldrik and the red lines she had left on the skin of his shoulders. The crown prince smirked proudly, as if they were badges of honor.
“Father?” Aldrik said again, folding his arms over his chest. “Yes! Father is there. Do you still needprivacy?” Baldair struggled with the notion.
“Perhaps,” Aldrik mused. Vhalla shifted her legs, wondering if he was serious or simply teasing his brother further. Her face flushed red hot at the implications and his boldness.
“Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” Baldair forced out.
“Blame the woman in my bed.” Aldrik shrugged, dropping his hands to his sides.
“I have little other option!” Baldair said, exasperated.
Aldrik ran a hand through his hair with a chuckle, and Vhalla savored the way his muscles moved, the exposure of his side, how his hair almost stayed in place.She wanted him all over again.
Vhalla swallowed the desire, suppressing it. It didn’t matter what she wanted. They were playing a dangerous game with certain expectations, and they had already taken far too many liberties for the day.
“You should eat,” Vhalla started. Aldrik’s face fell into a disappointed frown. “You’ve been sleeping for almost two weeks, Aldrik. You need real food.”
He pouted like a petulant child. “Come to me tonight?”
“I don’t think that’s ...” Vhalla’s words burned away in the blistering want that his eyes radiated. She nodded. “When everyone is asleep.”
“We’ll be out shortly, then.” Aldrik turned back to Baldair, who disappeared with another shake of his head. Aldrik dragged his feet back over to the bed. “I don’t want you to leave.”
