Roark freed a rough groan and went taut. His cock twitched and the warmth of his release spilled into me.
Spent and breathless, Roark tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, meeting my gaze.
I dipped my head and kissed him gently. For a long while, I didn’t move off his lap. We stayed there, joined for a time. Roark held my head to his heart, and sometimes his lips would press into my hair.
On my bare spine, his fingers moved in deliberate patterns, and it took me a moment to realize he was repeating the same thing over and again.
Yours, body and soul.
When Kael arrived at thedoor, Roark was the Sentry again, steadfast and standing watch near the window.
Kael pressed a kiss to the top of my head and took a seat beside me. “I’m assuming you’ve been filled in on King Damir’s plans.”
“I’m to be his sacrifice.”
Kael clenched a fist over my knee. “We’re going to find a way to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Yes.” I cut a glance at Roark. “So I’ve heard. Trouble is, I’m not sure how either of you can declare loyalty to me when you are bound to serve Damir.”
“I serve Stonegate,” Kael snapped. “I serve Jorvans. Not just a king. You are Jorvan, you are family, you are of Stonegate. I will serve and defend you.”
Stupid, reckless, brave Kael. I took hold of his hand and squeezed.
Roark turned. He didn’t address me; instead, he spoke to Kael.Keep watch until I return.
“Where are you going?” Both Kael and I asked in unison.
Roark paused at the door.Darkwin. Fail her, and I tear out your spleen.
Kael hardly seemed bothered by the threat.
“Wait, Roark. Where are you going?”
Roark looked at me.I have a meet I cannot miss. I’ll return soon.
I had no time to press the Sentry before he slipped out the door without a glance behind. Bastard. It was intentional. One look, and Roark would know I would delay him, question him, tempt him to stay.
My pulse raced. Where would he go? “Why did he threaten you?”
Kael scoffed and kicked out his legs, crossing his ankles. “If I had to guess? Because he’s completely in love with you. The man simply says it in odd ways.”
45
Roark
Moonlight split the black skyin silver, but never reached the corners of the old woodsheds in the far edges of the garden.
I waited, never moving, my head shrouded in a thick, woolen cowl. Stav patrols took their routes on the narrow garden paths, this way and that, muttering to their patrol partners about nothing of significance—trysts from the feasts, reprimands from their superiors, one found an odd boil on his cock that had him worried.
All the while, none knew I was crouched in the shadows by the shed.
Unseen until I wanted to be seen.
Footsteps came from one of the bowers at my back. I didn’t turn around, not even when she crouched beside me. “Going to tell me what was so damn important you tore me from Yrsa on the last night before I am made a mistress?”
Thane would never mistreat Emi, but no matter the prince’sthoughts on the arrangement, it was true—Emi would always be a royal mistress.
We have a meet beyond the gates.I’ll need your words. I paused at the door to the shed. The night was silent enough, misplaced sounds would be simple to hear, and the old door was the sort to screech on the hinges.
