“But Prince Thane isn’t all that changed.”

I tried to choose a bone that did not feel heavy with hate. But it was still a risk. Same with Darkwin. I selected carefully.

“You can sense a soul?”

He closed his eyes. Must be the Draven in me. I’ve learned to listen to the power inside. Roark knocked his fist against his wall, summoning my gaze. You saved that boy.

“But I am drawn to a killer, Roark.” I covered my face with my palms. “I don’t fear him like I should. There is something that’s connected us. There is something I trust in him.”

Gods, to speak the truth out loud was horrifying.

The rough heat of Roark’s hands tugged my palms back, letting them fall, so he could speak. Blame is not on your shoulders tonight.

“No need to mollycoddle me—”

Roark cut me off by squeezing my hand twice. The gates were unlocked from within.

My heart stuttered. “What?”

Roark nodded and sat beside me on the bed. Ravagers were welcomed inside to destroy the union of kingdoms, or take you. Likely both. We were betrayed. Another reason I want to rage at you for leaving your damn chamber.

They were welcomed inside the gates. By the gods. There were traitors inside our walls. “Stonegate is no longer safe.”

I won’t let anyone touch you. He cupped the back of my neck, and his thumb ran over the front of my throat. Roark’s gaze seared into me, branded me deeper than the burn in my chest. His fingers brushed against my cheek, speaking words I could understand now through touch alone. Stay.

Everything slowed, and my body went liquid with heat. “What if someone thinks I’ve gone missing when I don’t return to my chamber?”

I’ll tell them you are under my watch tonight.

“Full of lies, Sentry Ashwood.”

His grin was a shade of wicked. Stay.

I dragged my tongue over the rim of my bottom lip. “All right.”

He left the room for a moment, delivering word the melder was safe with the Sentry to one of the men under his command. When he returned, Roark closed the door to the front room, clicking the lock in place.

Nerves coiled in my belly when Roark’s fingertips traced the sides of my arms. His body crowded me; I leaned into him, letting my head fall back against his shoulder.

With one hand, Roark unraveled the laces of my bodice. He pushed the shoulders of my gown aside, letting it fall indecently low until my breasts were nearly bared. I shuddered when his teeth scraped down the slope of my neck.

Over my heart, he gestured. Do I stop?

Slow swirls of his fingertips teased the swell of my breasts as his lips caressed my bare shoulder.

“No,” I said, breathless and needy. I combed my fingers through his hair. “Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.”