The image bled away.
She pulled my tunic free, hands trembling. Desire and dread surged through my veins. Shouldn’t. Couldn’t. But I didn’t stop her curious exploration. Would she recoil from me like Eldeiade, or would she hunger for me?
Her thighs pressed into my hips. I groaned, teeth clenched. She trailed kisses along my jaw, exactly where I needed her most.
She fumbled with my belt. I seized her wrist, even as my body strained beneath her.
“No.”
“Take me.” Her voice cracked. The pain in her eyes cut deep.
“Icannot.”
My thoughts whirled, bile rising in my throat.
She sat between my legs, curled against my thigh, head resting just above my knee. Blood still slicked every inch of me. Lust simmered. But I wouldn’t let her go further. She offered so freely what my late wife never gave.
The world spun on its axis.
“Kallias Sunspear,” Eldeiade sneered. “They call you that, but you’re dull as stone.”
I said nothing. Her mockery lost power years ago.
“Come, serve me like the dog you are. That’s all you’re good for.” She flung herself back on the bed, robe falling open.
I turned away, her beauty soured in my eyes. Elohios help me, when would I get her with child?
“Should I send for your guard? Perhaps he would do a better job.”
My nails scraped the table. I tried to wrench free.
She’d drawn me. Crude, awkward strokes—but I knew that body, that scar. Gods, the princess—betrothed to my son—drew my naked chest. Why did that stir my blood? What kind of beast was I? I crushed the feeling and returned her sketch. She could draw what she would, it wouldn’t affect me.
The floor buckled beneath me.
“Kallias refused the trade I arranged.” Eldeiade popped a grape in her mouth.
Phares turned to me, annoyed.
“He lost three hundred men in the last battle.”
“He hasn’t given me a child. I told him to visit the healer.”
“He’s too hard on the Velli. We should listen to them. Isn’t that right, dear?”
“You have one job, Kallias. Can’t even sire an heir. A dog could do better than you!”
I tore away from Nereus and lurched over the side of the chair. Dinner surged up my throat. I vomited onto the stone floor—fish, broth, acid. It sprayed from both nose and mouth, burned all the way out. My gut clenched against the violence of it.
Shaking, I gripped the seat and forced my breath into rhythm. Slow. Shallow. The world held still. No visions, no spinning. Only the scrape of wood against stone and the stench of half-digestedfood.
I straightened and met Nereus’ gaze, then dragged my sleeve across my mouth, smearing bile and spit. “I pushed her away.”
His jaw flexed. He watched me—not angry. Just weighing something. “You should have pushedheraway,” he said, voice thick with unwanted sympathy. It chafed.
My chin lifted. “That’s not your concern. I told you not to pry.”
He gave a stiff nod. “Your name is cleared. The blood oath satisfied. As her father, I accept that. The Spire offers you a clean start. Wash up. Tomorrow, we’ll speak of contracts.”
