“Is this how you sleep?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Well, I do not have my regular spot, do I?”
I chuckled. “You didn’t build your nest on this side.”
“I hate the door!” Skadi tossed the quilt off her head as she shouted the truth. A shadow crossed her eyes, like she wished she could take the words back. “Never mind.”
“Why do you hate the door?”
“Good night.”
“Skadi—”
“Gods.” She tossed the quilt back again. “Because when I was a little girl, stealing food to stay alive before my grandfather found me, I had to barricade my door at night from fear the royal guards would barge in and take me to a young house. Those are work houses among the Ljosalfar clan. Is that an adequate reply? I like to sleep as far from the door as I can or I tend to have nightmares, so prepare yourself. Iam told I thrash.”
She covered her head again and went still.
I could not find the words. I laid back, eyes schooled on the rafters overhead. When I was convinced Skadi was asleep in her tangle of quilts, I eased off the bed and went to her side, gently nudging her toward the middle. She sighed and wrapped her arms around my pillow once again, nuzzling her face into the surface.
I took the side nearest to the door and watched her lashes flutter through her dreams—perhaps nightmares I unknowingly forced her to face.
Those I understood more than she would ever know.
I reached out and brushed a lock of hair off her brow before rolling onto my shoulder, facing away from the peace on her features.
Well, I would make my father proud—I was an absolute ass.
Chapter 17
The Nightmare Prince
I did not seemuch of the princess in the coming days after our full moon night.
Before the sun rose each morning, I left my side of our divided chamber for the upper corridor, sometimes pausing to wonder if she still slept or if she rose with the dawn. She spent most of her days in her chamber, even taking meals alone.
One of the few times we’d crossed paths was when I delivered a missive from the elven king. She’d offered a brisk thanks, but when I returned to retrieve her response, it had been placed outside her door.
Tonight would be different. A week since the vows, there was a feast to honor the alliance our way. More ale, rowdy chatter, and simplicity. Dorsan insisted the princess would attend for it would be improper to refuse.
I didn’t see how, but I took it to mean I would be beside my wife after days of clear avoidance.
I let my head fall back against the wall.
Damn her.
Damn me.
The night of the full moon with her body close to mine, her scent allover my bed, turned into something dark and greedy, like I might suffocate on my own desire if I did not touch her, hold her,tasteher.
“Done for now.” Von smacked my arm. “He’s out here, Sander. Doing nothing while we work.”
My brother emerged from the empty room, wiping a bead of sweat off his brows, and closed the door at his back.
“Sander won’t do it, so I decided to become princely and order you about, Von.”
