Dante stretched out on one of the chaises in Kallia’s entertaining suite, though at his considerable height, half his legs fell over the end. He listened to the sleeping breaths of Blukke and Bristol, each on their own chaise, and the bored breaths of the few guards that remained in the chamber. One yawned.

The receding shadows of the room announced daybreak was upon them, and Prim was still gone. She’d left to go back to the king’s chambers to attend Kallia, insisting Dante and Bristol stay with their injured friend. The only reason he agreed was because he knew Blukke did indeed need his protection more than Prim did right now. The shifter wasn’t strong enough to physically fight, and Dante wasn’t certain he was even able to use his gift in his present state. Prim, however, could do both.

But now that she’d been gone for hours, Dante regretted not asking her to stay and wait for Kallia to return instead of going to the princess. He knew Kallia’s parents would want her close after Neros’s death. That the princess was likely spending the night in the queen’s chambers and Prim was asleep at her side. But after seeing all those dead bodies, seeing Blukke looking like he was going to be among them, Dante’s stomach was in a knot that wouldn’t be untangled until he laid his eyes--and hands--on her again.

The sun had risen entirely, the fire and sconces put out when he heard Prim instructing the guards through the door to only open one door from now on, and only a crack big enough for a single person. They agreed immediately without questioning her, but she still explained they needed to make sure no unseen person slipped through. They agreed again, this time a bit of fear lacing the words.

A single door did crack just enough for Kallia to enter, followed by Prim and several single-file guards. The door snicked shut right after the last escort crossed the threshold, the guards posted at the door understanding the new procedure. The noise of the new arrivals roused Blukke and Bristol. The latter shot to her feet, making for the princess and Prim, as the former slowly pushed himself to sitting with a groan.

Princess Kallia didn’t look at the incoming handmaiden or anyone else. She kept her eyes on her bedroom door as she walked purposely toward it, her lips pursed. Prim trailed behind looking absolutely miserable. Dante wondered why she was so loyal to this place when it seemed to suck the joy from her so often. She’d seemed far happier during their time traveling than she ever had here.

The princess reached her bedchamber and Dante stood, clearing his throat. Kallia paused and looked over her shoulder at him. The fire in her eyes rivaled the way Prim’s got when she was angry. He flicked his gaze to Prim, but her face didn’t match Kallia’s. It was set in sadness, not anger.

Dante approached, offering to check to make sure there was no one--invisible or otherwise--hiding in the bedchamber before she went in. Kallia only nodded. When he came back out satisfied that the room was empty, the princess entered and shut the door in her handmaidens’ faces, who shared a look before the door opened again.

The princess looked them over before wrapping an arm around each of her handmaidens’ necks. “I just want to be alone right now. I’ll send for you if I need you,” Kallia said before releasing the women and slipping back into her room. Dante heard the lock engage.

Prim blew a breath out of her mouth with enough force to make her lips pout. She grabbed Dante’s forearm and pulled him along as she walked toward the entry. “Come on. I know you didn’t sleep, either.”

Bristol stopped her with an incredulous scoff. “What happened?”

Prim paused, throwing her head back. Dante stood close, wrapping a hand around her neck and stroking her nape with his thumb. He’d noticed her body seemed to relax whenever he did that, and now was no exception. She righted her head and turned to the other handmaiden.

“Queen Mallis said she no longer has a choice in marrying Prince Egan. With Neros killed on our lands, the only way to move forward amicably with Lanham is for the union to proceed.”

Bristol huffed. “Did you tell her Neros was the one who ordered her kidnapping and that Egan was complicit?”

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Prim pursed her lips, the relaxation Dante had provided no longer working. “It’s not my place. It’s not our place. Kallia didn’t reveal that. It must be for a reason.” Dante could sense there was more to it, but he’d have to wait until they were alone to find out what. “We’ll be in my chamber if you need us.” Prim continued tugging him along without allowing Bristol to respond.

Prim left a guard in front of her door, but explained Dante was her escort and she felt safer with him inside given both Neros and Roan were killed in their rooms. It was a lie, of course. After all, she’d left Kallia alone in her room. Dante wasn’t worried, though. As long as the princess kept her door shut, she was in no danger.

Dante used his scenting gift to ensure they were alone as Prim stepped out of her boots and blue dress. She kept her chemise on as she approached him and slowly started unbuttoning his shirt without a word. Once the buttons were free, he took it off himself, saving her the trouble of trying to extract it over his wings. Prim still said nothing as her hands flowed over his chest and shoulders. She didn’t look up at him, but at them, watching her fingers trace squiggles and tangle in his chest hair. Dante didn’t say anything, either, content to watch her.

Eventually, her hands stilled, but she still didn’t look up. “We’re lucky. Even though we can’t be together for our own reasons, we could be together. We have that choice.” She looked up at him then. “We get to be together now.”

She’d never brought up his failed proposal, and he was more than willing to forget it had ever happened, though he would stay in Hogard if she wanted him to. He was even trying to be a good guard to ensure he’d have a place here if he stayed, which was why he stupidly hadn’t used his magic to get to Bristol yesterday. But she was right--it was a choice--and she’d made her choice clear.

Prim stretched up to kiss him, and he bowed to meet her.

“Lay with me, Dante,” she said when she pulled away, tugging his hand as she padded to the bed.

Prim curled on her side and Dante removed his boots and pants before wrapping himself around her. When her fingers interlocked with his, she slowly dragged his hand up to cup a breast.

Dante adjusted his grip to stroke his thumb over her nipple, loving the way it hardened under his touch. Prim unlocked her fingers to run her hand up his arm, rubbing her palm up and down his forearm. He adjusted his grip again to pinch her other nipple between his index and middle fingers. He loved the little moan that escaped her lips as she arched into him, even as he felt a little hesitant to continue.

“You want this? After everything you’ve been through lately?” he asked, kissing her neck softly.

“Do I want to enjoy being alive? Do I want to enjoy being with the man I love? Yes. Yes, I do. Both are privileges I’m grateful for that too many others don’t get,” she said earnestly, guiding his hand down.

“I’m grateful for you, too,” he said, pulling up her dress then running his fingertips over her thigh.

Dante pleased his woman with his fingers before she climbed on top of him, claiming she needed to feel in control over something right now. She’d laughed that she wished she had his gift so she could bind his hands to ensure she had all the control, but didn’t seem to mind when Dante played with her clit as she rode him. He’d remember that idea, though, for when she was in the mood to be submissive.

Dante alternated between watching Prim’s tits bounce and her face contort in pleasure, unsure which view he preferred. Then she bit her lip, looking down at him with a devious twinkle in her eyes. She stopped her up and down movements to rotate her hips over him, popping up subtly with each rotation, and it felt good enough he was nearly to the edge. Then she removed one of the hands she had braced on his stomach to tickle her nose without pausing her gyrations. Dante didn’t have enough time to wonder what she was doing before she sneezed. Her entire body clenched, her internal muscles squeezing his dick so wonderfully he came right then with a surprised groan.

“Did you come up with that move on your own?” he asked in amusement once they were finished and curled up on their sides facing each other.

Prim smiled coyly. “I once had my face in a pillow during a romp and there was an errant feather that made me sneeze. The guy seemed to enjoy it, so I added it to my repertoire.”

Dante couldn’t help but laugh. He pulled Prim into him, kissing her forehead.

“I love you,” she said into his shoulder.

Dante would never tire of hearing her say that. “I love you, too, Bear.” He kissed her nose. “I will always love you.” He would. Which was going to really fucking suck when they were no longer together.

Prim smiled softly before turning around and curling her legs up, apparently not as upset at the thought as Dante was. She was asleep within minutes, and Dante followed shortly after.