“Close the door,” Jucai said.
“Your Majesty, we need to discuss—”
“Close the fucking door, Nadar!”
I closed the door.
Silently, I counted to ten. I was a professional. Handling irate kings was my specialty. Jucai was just another job. Andwhat the fuck was his problem? How dare he act as if I were the one who betrayed him? Three, two, one. “Is something amiss, sire?”
“Amiss?” Jucai surged over to me, his hair flying about him, flashing in the sun. “Where were you last night?”
“I was here sleeping.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Where were you?”
“I was waiting for you in my guest suite.” His face twitched, and his hands clenched. “And you were not here sleeping. I sent Sir Feilen to fetch you, and he said you didn't answer the door.”
“Yes, I know. He knocked several times. But I was in the bath.”
Jucai blinked and sputtered, “The bath? You were bathing, so you didn't answer a royal summons?”
“You are not my king, Jucai. I was weary and didn't want to speak to you. So, I didn't answer the door.”
“Why didn't you want to speak to me?”
“I needed some space and perspective. Perhaps we were too hasty to agree to a monogamous relationship.”
“What did you say?” he whispered.
“I saw you with Lady Yevena. You broke our rule about flirting.”
“Flirting? What are you talking about?”
“I saw you, Jucai. You were flirting with her. And you said that you only flirt to seduce. So, I assumed you fucked her lastnight. Perhaps you couldn't help yourself. If she's your mate, it would explain your betrayal. I would, of course, understand. I don't want to stand in the way of a mating. So, if you want to—”
“Shut up.”
“I'm trying to be reasonable.”
“Shut up, Nadar!” Jucai grabbed my shirt and yanked me into a kiss.
It was not a romantic kiss. It was punishing and full of demands, but it was also extremely erotic, with his arms locked around me and hard cock urging mine into a similar state. I couldn't help but respond, and when I did, the lashing of his tongue gentled, and the pressure of his lips eased. The kiss softened into something tender. My heart started racing, my hands clenched in his hair, and something rose inside me.
I jerked away, panting.
Jucai stared at me, his brilliant green eyes brighter than usual. “And now you pull away. Is this over between us?”
After taking a calming breath, I said, “Not at all. I just think we should establish what this is before we continue.”
“We've already established our relationship.”
“But Lady Yevena—”
“Lady Yevena requested to be seated beside me. I don't know what you think you saw, Nadar, but it was not sexual interest on my part. I did not flirt with her.”
“It's fine if you want to—”
“Nadar, you are trying my patience. I don't lie. I see no point in it. So, when I say that I have no interest in Lady Yevena, it is the truth. I could not excuse myself from the royal table to dine with you. It would have insulted King Saric and Lady Yevena and embarrassed my kingdom. So, I waited, listening to her prattle on about losing her lover to his mate, until I could make my excuses and leave. But before I could extricate myself, you left and never returned. I had to wait through dessert and entertainment until I could retreat to my room and send for you. But you didn't answer the door. Then my guards hear from the servants that you left dinner to speak with that fucking Eljaffna. Now you stand here acting as if I am to blame.”
“I . . .”Holy fuck, am I in the wrong? Damn it all to the gods and back!At least I hadn't slept with Diaya. Still, the situation had revealed feelings I didn't know I had for Jucai—unwanted feelings. “I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I misread the situation.”
