Page 55 of The Crown’s Temptation

“Because,” she said softly, “you’re distracting.”

She laughed at my expression.

“Princess…men like Teorin stop thinking when they’re in love.”

I felt my eyelids growing heavy. I want her to leave, because now she was talking nonsense. Teorin Rathmor wasn’t capable of that. My eyes shut just briefly and when I opened them again she was still sitting on the bed, much to my chagrin.

“What?”

“I’m waiting for your answer.”

“Fine.”

The word scraped my throat.

“Within reason.”

“Within reason is a dangerous term in this scenario.”

I ignored her. “You’ll have your time.”

I held her gaze.

“But if I learn you’re using him to hurt him…”

She laughed.

"What reason would I have to harm Teorin Rathmor? It isn't me he tried to kiss without permission," she said, almost cruelly.

I said nothing.

“You’ve made the correct choice," she said smugly.

She opened the door and rested one hand against the frame.

“Oh…”

She glanced back over her shoulder.

The smile that followed belonged to someone else entirely.

“I do not forgive. And I have very little patience for broken promises.”

The door closed behind her.

CHAPTER 9

The Ivakar

After Dali left I closed my eyes and focused on the sound of the door shutting.

He would not come back. He would not, would he?

When I opened them Teorin was lying beside me.

"Leave."

"No."