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His arm is extended toward my side of the bed, but I was too far away from him to be touching. Curled by his arm is Waffles, who will never admit it when Essos is awake, but clearly has a soft spot for my husband.
By the time I get out of the shower, he’s awake and sipping from a coffee mug.
Essos glances up, his gaze raking over my body. I’m already dressed in a form-fitting black gown that showcases my bump instead of hiding it. It’s a floor-length dress, and the scoop neck is unnecessary with my now ample breasts. Such dresses used to give me a little boost, a little allure, but now I’ve got the goods on full display.
“Good morning,” he greets, not looking away from me as he sips his drink. I want a coffee. Gods, I want the caffeine more than I want anything at this moment, but I hesitate. Today will be enough stress on my body.
I slip onto Essos’s lap. He moves his mug out of the way to make space for me. We’re silent, soaking in the morning. His other hand is on my hip, rubbing it absently.
“What time are we doing this?” I ask, nuzzling my nose into his neck. He shivers under my body, and I relish the surge of power in knowing I can make him tremble under me.
“Noon. We’re going to all meet at my office and then go down to the throne room.”
I think of the throne room that helped reunite my friends Tiffany and Steve. It’s not a friendly space. It’s cold and dark. We designed it that way intentionally and chose to use it next to never.
“Are you going to get changed?” I ask, settling further against him.
“I would, but I’m otherwise engaged at the moment.”
I move to get off him. “I could go…”
Essos snags me around the waist and tugs me against his chest more firmly. I give him no resistance. This is exactly where I want to be.
“You’re not going anywhere without me saying so,” he growls into my neck.
“Is that what you think?” I ask, dropping my voice low as if appalled at his audacity. I wiggle on his lap, pleased to feel his arousal.
“That is what I know to be true.” His mouth is on mine, hot and demanding, and I lean into him. I want more of this, more of the forgetting. If I let my thoughts run wild, I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it down those stairs without someone dragging me.
I grind against him, and he moans into my mouth.
Then I get off his lap abruptly.
“You need to get dressed,” I insist, offering him my hand.
“I hate that you’re right,” Essos mutters. He drains his coffee and rises, then presses a chaste kiss to my lips. I drop into the chair as he slips into his dressing room. When he emerges, he is the King of Night and Death and Shadows. Essos has his hair slicked back perfectly in a way that makes me want to run my hand through it and pull on it as he makes me scream in pleasure. The look he gives me tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking. He doesn’t bother hiding his smirk as he holds out an arm to me.
I slip my arm into his as the familiar weight of a crown settles on my head.
We make our way downstairs. Everyone looks grim in the dining room, with unfinished plates of food before them all. Essos guides me with his hand on the small of my back to my chair beside him.
“I hate to be that person, but if we’re going to drain your blood, then we need to make sure you’re fed,” Helene urges, pushing a plate toward me. It’s stacked with eggs and bacon and toast. On a good morning, the scent of all these things would make my mouth water. Even on the roughest mornings, toast would be more than enough to help get my appetite back.
I begrudgingly accept the food, taking a small bite of the cheesy scrambled eggs. Beside me, Essos hums in approval. I want to glare at him, but I know that this is all for my own good.
“What were you all talking about before we ruined the party?” I ask, folding some of the eggs onto my toast. I rip off a piece of bacon and hold it under the table, where Dave gladly takes it, nibbling lightly at my fingers. Essos glances at me but opts not to comment on my feeding of the dogs from the table. It’s been a debate for ages, one that he will never win.
“There’s been…unrest…in my kingdom,” Kai remarks delicately.
“There is unrest everywhere,” Xavier grumbles, not looking up from his paper. When his eyes do lift, it’s always to gaze at Cat.
“What sort of unrest?” I ask, placing a piece of bacon on my tongue, letting the greasy goodness melt into my person.
“The sort of unrest that has people wondering if perhaps we’re to blame for Posey’s continued anger and that maybe we should turn ourselves in,” Kai answers solemnly. “Our children are attempting to handle it, hoping that fresh young faces will calm the masses. It seems to be working thus far.”
“I can only hope we have a chance to do better than before.” My voice is small for words that need to mean more. I do want us to have a chance to do better, but that chance means defeating Posey. That chance means ending her. I’m sure my niece and nephew can hold the fort of the Ocean kingdom, but they shouldn’t have to be put in this position.
Octavia purses her lips, finally taking the hint to not interject with her own thoughts and opinions.
