Page 141 of The Crown’s Temptation

He wondered if she knew she was a terrible liar, or if she simply did not care. He had known she was a terrible liar since the first time she came out dressed as a boy that did not look like a boy at all.

Eravic focused on keeping his face blank. Inside he was seething, although he had no right to be. He knew exactly what had happened. She had clearly found a way to reach Colsar. Despite his warning that she should not exhaust herself she had pushed through the wards to get to him.

The thought annoyed him. Exasperated him, even.

Eravic did not get angry often. But her appearance tonight made him angry. She was weak and exhausted after fighting for her life for weeks.

Fighting for her life.

And what does Colsar Rathmor do?

He had likely fucked her into a deep sleep she was only recently rising out of. And then did not even have the decency to tie her dress correctly.

He knew he was not being entirely reasonable. Colsar Rathmor was not necessarily a bad man. Nothing about him seemed deserving of Asharin though.

He studied her carefully as she eased herself into the chair in front of the hearth. He had spent hours trying to perfect the fire so it provided exactly the right amount of warmth. He had rebuilt it twice before she arrived. He was not going to tell her that.

"A bigger vial this time?" Asharin grimaced.

"They get bigger each time," Eravic said. His voice was not apologetic. You need as much of it as you can get if you are going to destroy yourself for him each night.

She shifted in the chair and more of the leather slid. One of those perfect breasts was halfway out of the dress.

"Come here," Eravic said.

She eyed him suspiciously. "Why?"

"Your dress is ridiculous. Let me retie it."

She nodded and stood in front of him. He noticed how wobbly her knees were as she walked. He undid the uneven ties of the corset strings and carefully looped them, his hands moving efficiently, not lingering anywhere they had no business lingering.

"I will leave the corset loose since you will be napping, princess."

"It will not fall off?"

"No. It will be securely on. Just—" He paused. "I want you to be comfortable." Something about the admission made him feel more vulnerable than he wanted. He almost kicked himself for it.

It did not take long to tie the strings. When he was done he let out an audible breath of relief and almost kicked himself again. She did not comment and he could only hope she had not heard it.

She plopped back into the chair. "Ale?"

"Aye," he said quietly. "But not for you." He studied her. "You look worse than yesterday."

"How kind," she said calmly. "Lord Eravic, your charm grows with each passing day."

He snorted and handed her the vial. "Drink."

The first time she had made a face he had privately found entertaining. Tonight she simply swallowed it and handed the vial back.

"Worse each time," she said.

He frowned instead of answering.

"Have you been coughing?"

Her expression didn't change.

"A little."