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Teorin closed the ledgers. In truth, he did not care about the Darkway or its records. But he did not know how long Asharin would be in Morrath. Years, maybe, even with an antidote. He would not let her live in a failing kingdom.

He had taken blood and meat at dinner. He felt better than the nights before. His head still pounded.

She went to Eravic's treatments each evening and returned to her rooms after. Each night he intended to be there when she did.

The last time had felt like a dream. Part of him wondered if it had been. The healer said she must rest through the day, so he had not gone to her to ask.

He opened the door.

Another woman stood in the corridor.

Teal hair.

The fucking Vaelor girl.

"What do you need?"

Then the hum started, low behind his eyes, and he went backward onto the bed.

"What are you⁠—"

"Teorin. I need you. Please. It was always you."

"You are not her."

"What do you mean?" Hurt in her voice. Asharin's voice.

"I forgive you. I know you only wanted what was best for me. That is why you lied about Alarna, I know that⁠—"

The truth stopped mattering.

He pulled her down and she came willingly. Her skin was warm. She smelled the way she always smelled.

His hand found the fabric at her shoulder and stopped.

Satin.

She wore leather. Only leather. She wore leather because the creatures came at her in the dark and leather held.

The hum swelled and took the thought somewhere he could not reach.

He pressed his lips to hers and slowly removed her clothes. The satin came away under his hands and the thought came back with it, patient, waiting where he had left it. He put his mouth to her throat until it went quiet again. He had wanted this too long to be careful about how he got it.

He put her breast in his mouth and she threw her head back and moaned, the exact moan he had spent so long imagining.

He leaned back as she pulled down his pants and straddled him. The hum grew louder. He entered her quickly and it was what he had imagined.

Tight. Warm. Exactly as he'd imagined. She rocked slowly, gold eyes never leaving his.

"Is this what you have always wanted, Teorin?"

He could barely nod. He had never been speechless. But this, her moving on top of him, moaning, saying his name, was the thing he had built and rebuilt in his head day after day.

She lifted his chin with her fingers and kissed him. The pace slowed.

"I'll pull out," he said under his breath, meaning it kindly.

"Why?" She nipped his ear. "Do you think only Colsar is deserving of heirs?"