“They brought everything back. What she said about me. What people believed.” His voice shook. “But seeing them on you… I wanted to kill her. To drag her from her grave.
“Last night, I wanted to ground myself in you—and left her marks on you instead.”
My breath hitched, and I tilted my head. “You think being rough was too much for me? Stand up.”
He hesitated.
“Go on. Shoo. To the mirror.”
Grumbling, he rose and crossed to the polished glass. I let my gaze trace the lean power of his form, then turned him by the arm.
His back bore red welts. Dozens.
“Seems I can hold my own,” I purred, fingers sliding up his jaw to bring his face close. “But if you ever need me to slow down, I will. If something reminds you of her—tell me. I won’t treat you like a child, or think less of you. Don’t bear it alone.”
His forehead dropped to mine, the weight in his chest easing with the breath he exhaled.
“In so many ways,” he murmured, voice thick, “you’re my first.”
Warmth surged in my blood, pride thrumming through every limb.
“And you will forever be my last.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Kallias
It didn’t take long to ready a small ship. The day was spent coordinating between Captain Jensen and the Draconis captain, Wylyn. Nienna was kept occupied preparing for departure, and by the time evening approached, I managed to slip away to K’lan and seek out Ludwig.
The jail was cramped, humid with the stench of sweat and old iron. A single glance at the sailor explained how he’d held his own against a gang of men. He stood taller than me and broader by half. The cell barely allowed him to sit, let alone pace.
He rose when I entered, bowing low. His head nearly scraped the bars—though I doubted they’d contain him if he chose otherwise.
“Your Majesty!” A worried frown cut across his weathered face, fingers twitching at his sides. His beard, thick and tangled, barely veiled the grimace underneath.
“Sailor,” I said, sweeping my gaze over his stained tunic and threadbare trousers. This man, a Radaanian in Draconis chains, represented more than himself. He reflected on all of us.
“I beg your pardon, my king. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
“Trouble?” I arched a brow and took the nearby chair, the chain of my mantle clinking with the motion.
“You must be a busy man,” he said, fumbling. “Many things need your attention—more important than me, I’m sure.”
He apologized for the inconvenience, not his actions. Interesting.
Greaves blocked the door behind me, keeping the Draconis guards at bay. This was a Radaanian matter. I’d deal with the fallout and payment with Nereus later.
“My people deserve my complete focus,” I said, motioning for him to sit. “Start talking. Why dismantle a tavern?”
He dropped his gaze and sank to the cot, the wood groaning under his weight. “I didn’t want the woman—they be sayin’ that.”
“I’m not here for Draconis accusations, sailor. Tell me the truth.”
His fingers scratched the back of his neck as he sighed. “Well, we were just drinkin’, tryin’ to pass the time. Petty little to do ‘round here. And we best not linger out in the open or them beasts might think we’re a snack. You know how it is. And a man was—he was mistreating his missus, you see. Wouldn’t sit right if I didn’t say somethin’.”
I resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose, knowing where this headed. “Tearing apart a place of business is hardly saying something.”
“Told him he ought to rethink his behavior,” Ludwig continued. “Then she smiled at me, and he done struck her.” He shook his head, breath catching. “Couldn’t stand for it.”
