“It will only get worse, I’m afraid,” said Weysh. “I’m surprised none of the dailies have tried to get in contact; they must not yet be aware. But once they are, and the news gets to the general public, it will be a thrice-damned circus. We’d better enjoy the last of our peace for a while. Byen above, that reminds me—we’d better visit Maman. I’ll never hear the end of it if she learns that you’re royalty from the dailies instead of us.”

Yenni bit the inside of her lip. “The Creshen Imperial Family may be upset I have not visited them. I do not think they will understand the rules of Orire N’jem.”

“The Imperial—” His eyes went wide. “It’s really beginning to sink in—you’re a princess! Byen, does that mean I’ll be a prince?”

“In name, I suppose, though I have to say I’ve never met a prince like you before,” Yenni teased.

Weysh went quiet, his face serious as he studied her.

“What is it?” she asked.

“So you’ll marry me?”

“There is still much to figure out, but yes, Weh-sheh, when the time is right I want to marry you.”

He gave her that happy, boyish smile again. “I love you, Yenni.”

“I love you, too, Weh-sheh.”

His eyes dropped to her mouth, and the happy grin shifted to something far less innocent. And just the sight of it, that mere suggestive quirk of his lips, sent the blood rushing hot through her veins. He leaned forward but didn’t kiss her. He put his nose to her neck, just under her jaw, and breathed deep.

“Oho,” he rumbled, his lips just barely brushing her skin.

“What is it?” Yenni whispered, her heart pounding. “What do you smell?”

“I can’t be sure,” he drawled, making sure each word caressed the sensitive skin of her throat. His fingers started a lazy, looping trail up her leg, along her outer thigh. “Perhaps you’re sleepy?”

“No, I’m not sleepy,” Yenni breathed.

He sniffed again, making her giggle. “Maybe you’re hungry?”

“That’s . . . closer.”

His fingers skimmed the underside of her bottom and she made a high little noise before jerking against him. He froze, and then his tongue flicked out to leisurely taste the spot where his nose had been.