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He let out a low growl.

"Is this what you have always wanted? Me, swollen with child⁠—"

He came. Seconds later so did she, cheeks flushed, body trembling in the way he had only ever dreamt about.

"I do not want you to leave," he said quietly.

He felt himself grow hard again. She looked down at him and began to move, her moans filling the room.

"Is this real?" He felt ridiculous asking.

"Yes. Except that⁠—"

"What?" he asked, holding back another moan, trying not to lose control.

She felt so fucking good.

Colsar was an idiot.

"Except that—" She hesitated.

"What?"

She said it into his shoulder, almost too quietly to catch. Something about his brother. Something about Colsar being more interesting in bed. Something about an affliction of illegitimacy.

He pulled out, still hard.

She stared up at him, legs open, playing with both her nipples.

Fuck.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing." She rose onto her elbows and leaned to his ear. "Only that I understand why your father never wanted you.”

He put her over his lap and struck her and she laughed into the blanket.

"Finally."

He dragged her up by the hair. She was still laughing.

"You have his face and none of the rest of him. Do you know that is what the servants here call you? The bastard with the good face."

He bent her over the edge of the bed and began thrusting.

"Harder," she said. "You will not hurt me. You have never been enough to hurt anyone."

The hum found him, now louder than before.

That was the thing he understood later, in daylight, when there was nothing left to do but understand. The hum had not put the words in her mouth. It had gone into him, read what was already written there, and read it back to him aloud in her voice.

He had wanted to hear it.

He gave her what she asked for.

She scratched his back open. He bit through her ear and tasted her and she told him it was still not enough. He asked if she wanted him to stop. She said no. He asked again and she said no, delighted, breathless, and told him to stop asking like a boy who needed permission.

His pupils blew out. His eyes went black.