“Get off me.” I tried to yank my arm free of his hand.
Cian only tightened his grip. “You miss them because you know, Skadinia, you know what you are.”
“You will remove your hands from the princess, Cian.”
A cracked breath of relief sliced between my teeth. Dorsan stalked into the hall, and Cian released me at once. Higher in ranks, Dorsan could level Cian in warrior discipline.
“Forgive me.” Cian pressed a hand to his heart in respect. “I was merely greeting our lady.”
Dorsan stepped between us, ire in his eyes sharp as a broken blade. “Our Lady is vowed and your nearness is inappropriate. Take heed, I have witnessed the alver clans these last weeks, as powerful as you think you are, offending the prince and his house will be the last thing you want to do.”
“Of course.” Cian bowed again. “No offense meant. I will keep a proper distance in the future.”
Dorsan gestured at me to leave the hall all while keeping his focus on Cian. “See that you do.”
I did not wait for the end of their words and bolted into the sunlight.
“Wife!” Jonas raised his hands at the sight of me. “I’ve had the most intriguing conversation with Barclay, here. I had no idea your horses were trained to walk on such narrow forest paths and tread through swamp lan—oof.”
Jonas grunted when I nearly leapt into his arms, squeezing his neck tightly.
“Skadi.” He held me close. “What’s wrong?”
I pulled back and kissed him. A few gasps at the sudden show of affection filtered through the servants around us.
Jonas’s eyes were coated in a passionate glaze when I pulled away.
“I’m not complaining, Fire, but what was that for?”
“No reason,” I said, voice soft. “Merely glad my vows were to you, Nightmare.”
“Good hells, woman.” He yanked my hips, fitting them against the hard planes of his body. “If you’d rather spend the days in our chamber, all you had to do was say so.”
I snorted and pecked his lips. “I plan to do a great deal of all that, but I do want to show you some of Natthaven. You are now an heir here, after all. In fact, I am only the heir apparent because of you.”
“Is it only the bloodline?” Jonas asked. “If you were born of Eldirard’s house would you require a vow?”
“Not unless I desired one. Queens can rule among the elven folk if they are born of the royal house.”
“I don’t like it. I am not even elven, yet because I was born to a king and queen I have more claim than you on your throne.”
“It does not matter to me, not since it is you. I have a voice with you, right?”
Jonas kissed me again, ignoring the second wave of gasps. “Always. In fact, perhaps I ought to start calling you My Queen now.”
I accepted his hand to use as a boost onto one of the prepared horses. On the other side of the horse, Dorsan handed me the reins.
“Thank you, Dorsan.” I spoke with meaning, one I hoped he understood.
He offered a curt nod. “Always, My Lady.”
I turned back to Jonas. “Don’t call me Queen. I prefer Fire.”
The prince clambered on the stallion beside me, but leaned closer, speaking only for me. “I hope you have a scheme or two in your head on how we’ll slip away from our entourage here. The idea of an audience while I shout that name in a more compromising position doesn’t sit right with me.”
My head fell back with a laugh. “Your mother would be ashamed to hear you speak.”
“Wife, come now. You’ve met my mother and know she is partly to blame.”
