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Luther stiffened and rolled away to lie on his back. "It is just another mining settlement."
Sitting up, I tried to see him where I knew he lay, but it was too dark. "That's not true, and you know it. Just the fact that you pulled away tells me there is much more to it. I was on the Native committee and had access to their records. I know they looked at mining there, Luther. I know what they found and the trouble the Dåligmark people caused." Placing my hand where I thought Luther's chest was, I found his thigh. He must have been sitting up.
Luther's hand fell over mine and pulled me into his chest, my head resting over his heart. "The mine is Cyran. It is my mine, Zira. While the Native council found nothing of value to them in Dåligalandar, they found something of value to us; they just did not know it to pursue it."
Pushing away from Luther's body to stare at the darkness where I knew his face would be, I frowned. "You're doing something I won't approve of. It's why you didn't want to tell me."
"I told you when we joined, Zira. I would not put blocks in your way as long as your cause does not interfere with my own plans."
"And my cause, my work to give the natives a better life, would go against what you are doing in Dåligalandar?" Luther's silence was its own answer. "Oh, Luther. When I come of age in seven years, you better hope whatever it is you are after in Dåligalandar is finished, or I will make your home life a living wormhole. Sooner, if I find out the details and can force a movement against you."
Luther laughed as he pressed my back to the bed. "Well, luckily, I have the power to gag you for seven years, Zira."
When I just glared at him, Luther kissed just in front of my ear. "I am not happy about some of the things I need to do, Zira, but I am the ruler here, and I am a Prince of Cyra. I must do at times what makes others unhappy."
As he kissed along my jaw, I placed my hand over his heart. While his face hovered over mine, his body moving to take mine, I used my free hand to trace a delicate finger along his jaw. "And I must do what I can to protect those who can't protect themselves, Luther, even if that makes you unhappy."
"You can try, Zira. I have missed your passionate pleas in open court." Luther laughed when I pinched him.
"Rövhål!"
"Now, now, Princess," Luther purred as he moved over me, "do not make me go get the gag already." Luther pressed into me, and I cried out the pleasure of it.
"There are five men in the room next door, Luther. A gag might be a good idea. With how good that felt just then, I don't think I can keep quiet tonight."
"Good, I like to hear you, Zira."
"But—"
"Zira, our guard are Cyran. What they hear us doing is just an everyday part of life. It affects them no more than watching you eat your dinner. And if it does" –Luther caught my nipple between his teeth— "the women in the palace are not complaining about the extra attention."
Raucous laughter came from the room next door before it was suddenly muffled. "What was that?"
"Your little outcry gave our guard the wrong impression. They think we have finished already." There was a wicked edge to his voice.
"Luther?"
"It has been a while since I have pleased a woman to sunrise."
* * *
When we emergedfrom the bedroom in the morning, I was exhausted and starving. Hartwin was serving up the meal as Luther and I sat down. Anberon was smirking in the corner, reading a panel. "Your Elite are eating breakfast, my Prince, but will be set to go when you are ready."
"Thank you, Anberon."
"Where are you today?" I took a mouthful and sighed with relief.
"Apagrind"
Frowning, not recognizing that name, I tried to recall it on the map. "I've never heard of that place."
Hartwin frowned. "That is because it is a place in Cyra, Princess. I am of the understanding from nightshift that you will need to sleep this morning?"
"I believe the night shift is right, Hart." Heat crept up my neck and face as I avoided looking at him. Luther had made me cry out his name and many other sounds in our pursuit of pleasure last night. "What's in Apagrind?"
Taking something out of his pocket, Luther put it on the table. Recognizing the amulet, I went to pick it up. As soon as my finger brushed it, pain lanced through my hand, and my power cycloned around me.
"Are you okay, Princess?" Anberon was kneeling beside me, moving my hair aside so he could see my face. Hartwin was examining the burn on the tip of my finger. "You could have just told her, my Prince."
