She was supposed to. She helped her grand king with paperwork, easing his burdens in whatever small way she could, but today… Emeriel shook her head and the girl left. Not today.

She would not be collecting parchments. Not if it risked running into him.

“Sometimes in the dark of night when he is away, I part my thighs, and I touch myself. I pretend it’s him.”

She winced, squeezing her eyes shut. Oh, by the stars…

But in the midst of her mortification came a memory that warmed her heart despite everything. The way he held her, spoke to her, looked at her.

“It doesn’t matter if our bond doesn’t return. We will perform a bonding ritual. I would rather have you as my through the rites and vows, than not to have you at all.”

bondmate, go

Her chest filled with something tender, and she blinked hard against the tears stinging her eyes. She still couldn’t quite believe he’d said that.

Two years ago, their bond had felt like a cage, a trap neither of them could escape. Now, the bond was gone, yet they were desperate to reclaim it, willing to undergo ancient rites to forge a non–natural bond just for a chance to belong to one another.

The irony. Oh, the gods must be laughing. They must be having such fun with us.

whispered, staring out across the endless rows

not take pity on us?”

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tired sigh, she let her eyes fall closed. Just for a

soon she had wandered into sleep under the quiet rustle of leaves and the distant hum of

workers.

the time she returned to the fortress, exhausted, her back aching. Ugh. She

looked down at her belly. “See the things you

doors of her bedchamber, and came to a halt.

bowing low. A tub had been drawn and stood steaming in one corner, fragrance in the air. Fresh garments were neatly arranged across her bed, pins and combs laid out

stepped forward with a polite smile. “His Majesty has ordered us to see to you, prepare you, and bring you to him, my

did a

the reason?

cheeks lit up at the thought.

began to undress her and prepare her. She was guided into the scented bathwater, where they bathed her with efficiency. Emerging from the water, she was dried with soft cloths and dressed in a gown of the finest blue silk. It

one of the women whispered

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