Page 111 of A Crown of Lies

He sat up, frowning at her. “It’s not that. It’s…” He sighed. “This isn’t about the line of succession thing, is it? Because if it is—”

“It isn’t,” she said quickly, rolling onto her side to face him. “I promise. I would never use you like that.” She knew too well how it was to beused. “I just…” Divine, how could she explain that to him when her face was practically on fire with embarrassment? “I like it, is all. I like how it feels when you do, and even now, knowing it's inside me.” She glanced away sheepishly. “Knowing that if I went to Ieduin right now, like this, he’d never be able to control himself once he smelled you on me, and he’d have to do the same…”

Rowan laughed and slid to the edge of the bed. He stood with a stretch that put his muscular ass and back on display. “Well, I could always send for him if you want?”

“No, maybe next time. I just… I want a minute with you.”

“Fair enough,” Rowan said, going to a small table she hadn’t noticed before. It had a decanter of some amber liquid and several glasses that he quickly poured. He returned to the bed, holding a drink out to her. “Besides, after the other night, he might still be recovering.”

“You’re terribly cruel,” she said, taking the glass.

“That’s not news, is it? I hope not. I’m still looking forward to the day you let me be cruel to you. I think you’ll like it.”

She cradled the glass in her hands and shrugged. “And what if I don’t want you to? Maybe I’d rather just do this forever and you two can have your… thing.”

He lifted an eyebrow in doubt. “Please tell me you’re joking. Surely, there’s some part of you that’s as mean and twisted as I am. You can’t possibly deny that you don’t want to torture him as much as I do. He’s lucky he’s not here, or I’d have him between your legs right now, cleaning you up for me.”

“Divine, Rowan.” She turned away, blushing. “You’re filthy.”

“I’m filthy? You’re the one who was begging for me to cum in you not ten minutes ago.” He downed the entire drink in one go and set it aside. “Really, though. It is something we should discuss before we go getting ahead of ourselves. Between me and Ieduin, you’re taking quite a risk. We either need to mitigate that risk, or prepare for the inevitable outcome.”

“I thought you’d want children and heirs,” she mumbled.

Rowan touched her chin gently, bringing her face around to look at him. “Not until you are ready. Not until we have discussed it at length. All three of us. He needs to be a part of that decision, too.”

She sighed, closed her eyes, and nodded. “You’re right,” she said before downing the drink. It was bitter and strong enough to burn some sense back into her brain.

“I don’t want to pressure you either way.”

“You’re not.” She coughed and handed him the glass back. “I just… I was standing there watching my father’s body burn and it really hit me, Rowan. We could die. Any of us could. This battle could be our last. Or the next one. Or assassins could come, or we could be poisoned or choke on a bone… It could all be over so fast, and what do I have now to be remembered for? I’ve made no marks on this world. My life has meant nothing.”

“It means something to me,” Rowan said firmly, but his face softened. “But I understand. I do, Rixxis. I understand it so well. Even so, I’m not certain that’s enough of a reason to bring a child into the world now. I don’t know what is, but…” He sighed and ran a hand through his messy hair. “I’m going to get some of that potion made. It isn’t foolproof, but if you want to continue this way, I would feel better about it. I want to know that, if I make a child with you, we are all ready for that, and all of us want it to happen.”

Rixxis nodded. “I… I’ll get some tea too. Just in case. You’re right. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean… I don’t want you to think…”

He leaned in to kiss her. “I think you’re amazing,” he said, brushing some stray hairs away from her temple. “And beautiful. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you and Ieduin by my side. But I also think today was difficult in a way few days are. Nobody should be making decisions about the future today. I’m not upset. Not at all. But I am tired, and I still must pack and clean all this up.” He gestured to the mess in the room. “I’d like to hold you for a little while before I get up and finish packing. Will you stay?”

She nodded, and they settled back into bed together, her resting her head against his chest, listening to the beating of his heart while he stroked her hair gently.

“Did you mean what you said before?” she asked groggily. “That you loved me first?”

“It’s different with men for me. The physical attraction comes first, but mutual respect, love and adoration, that takes more time. Sometimes, being with another man is like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together. I can’t decide if I want to fight with him or fuck him.”

She laughed. “I think he feels the same way.”

“But that’s why we needed you.” He tipped her chin up and kissed her. “With you, we’re a little saner, maybe. A little more man than animal. You make me want to be better to him. For him. And you make me betterwithhim. I need you both. I think I’ve been waiting for you both all my life.”

Rixxis closed her eyes and smiled. She didn’t say it, but she knew what he meant because she felt the same. The three of them together were perfect, much better than any two of them, and if they all survived this, she knew they could all be happy as a big family.

Thirty-Three

PrinceMichalusheredQueenHaarima-jaan into her seat and poured the tea, handing a cup first to of each the Thousand Cuts that had accompanied her. They both tasted the tea before offering it to their queen. Satisfied, Michal smiled and nodded to his guards.

Haarima-jaan’s earrings jingled as she turned her head, eying the guards as they shut the door and stood in front of it. “I’m told you met with Queen Eris in private yesterday afternoon.”

“I did.” Michal seated himself and poured his own cup of tea.

“Care to share the subject of that meeting with me?”

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