Page 37 of Heir to His Court

I wondered if his parents were really an example of a functional relationship but refrained from asking.

He interpreted my expression anyway. “Theydolove each other. But relationships between the powerful will always suffer complications. You don’t realize how. . .unencumbered our beginning has been.”

“Forgive me my skepticism.”

“I do. Frequently.”

“Danon.” I approached. Renaud waited, unmoving, expression enigmatic. I placed my hand on his chest, the soft brocade of his robes and the muscle underneath, meeting his gaze. “It would comfort me to have my brother. I miss my mother’s face.”

“He is a Lord, an Heir, who swore fealty to me then took up arms against my House while I slept. I cannot forgive that so easily.”

“He only sought to protect me. To deflect the worst of the violence by his presence. Avenging the death of his Lord and mother, as a dutiful son ought.” I caressed the muscle under my hand. “Please.”

I almost missed the flicker in his eyes, the imperceptible softening. Rising on my toes, I pressed my lips against his, sliding my hand behind his neck. My tongue darted out, slipping inside as he opened for me. A hand slid around my waist, pulling me tight against his body. He angled his head, taking control of the kiss, and I clung to him.

“Please, my Raniel,” I whispered. “Please, my Prince.”

“I enjoy your attempts to manipulate me, my heart,” he murmured, sliding his lips to my neck. Teeth grazed my skin, an affectionate nip.

My breath caught. His hand slid down to cup my buttocks. Hard, possessive, his erection straining against me.

“If you want me to learn to play the game, you must reward me when I show improvement.” I arched against him, twining my arms around his neck, relaxing my body to offer him my neck. My vein.

Renaud’s breath sighed against my skin. “Very well. I am not immune to your pleas, as you well know. I will give you Danon.”

My heart drummed in vicious triumph.

“But you will give me Numair.”

“What?” I tore out of his arms.

An exquisite, cruel smile curved his lips, his eyes knowing. “A rather uneven exchange, don’t you think? Danon is worth far more than a mere chevalier. See how I allow you to weaken me.”

I strived to breathe, to beat back anger. “You—”

“Careful, my heart,” he crooned. “Do not undo all your hard work of the last several minutes.”

“—bastard.”

“Ah. Undone.” Renaud clucked his tongue. “Aerinne, Aerinne. You must try harder. Every negotiation has its setback. You become discomposed far too easily.”

A hiss excused my teeth, my fingers flexing, sharpening into talons. “You’re playing with me.”

He dared. Thismale. This soft bellied creature. Dared play withme.My back ached, burned, the muscles flexing as if to release pent up pressure.

“I am enjoying it, too. I should not—you offer little actual opposition. I find myself nostalgic for my own inept youth. It’s rather sweet.”

I had no words. Or rather, I had plenty, but all they would gain me was a challenge to the death in the courtyard.

He regarded me with an air of indulgence. “No counter, bonded? Or is it that you love Numair more than your own brother? That you cannot give the boy up? Tell me, whatisit you want from him?”

I struggled—lost. “You’re jealous. Of Numair.” I laughed.

His expression smoothed. “Careful, Lady.”

I cut the laughter off, closing my eyes. Counting, breathing, grappling desperately not to further succumb to the giant walking trigger that was Renaud, Prince of Everenne.

“If you hadn’t caught Numair kissing me last night, would you have given me Danon? Is this a punishment because for a moment, I wanted him?”

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