When they were gone and the door clicked shut, Adrian approached, halting a few steps from me. I wanted to fill the void between us because I hated how it felt—empty and raw.

“I came to apologize,” he said. “I was unkind in so many ways last night. I promised you the world, and when you asked, I took it away.” He paused for a moment, looking away, his eyes becoming hard. “The problem is…I waited two centuries to have you in my arms again, and if I let you go, I fear you will never come back.”

“Adrian,” I said, whispering his name. His words made my heart ache.

“I came to let you know that I dispatched one of my soldiers to Nalani.”

I straightened at his words.

“Her name is Ivka. She should return within the week with news.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out, and the only thing I could think to ask was, “Why?”

He swallowed and answered, “Because I love you.”

My eyes watered, and I had to bite my lip to keep my mouth from quivering. Adrian frowned and came to kneel at my feet as I spoke.

“You did not have to do this, but I am grateful you did.”

He touched my face, and I covered his hands with mine.

“Do not cry, my sweet,” he said, his lips close to mine. “This is likely the only honorable thing I will ever do in your name.”

I believed him. He was the curse placed on this land when the first drop of my blood touched this earth. He had killed kings and ended bloodlines. He had conquered and would continue, and I felt a single sliver of fear at how unaffected I felt by such a thought.

Instead, I kissed him, and as my arms tightened around his neck, he rose to his feet, and I followed. We stumbled back, knocking into my vanity, but Adrian did not seem to care. He only used it as a perch, guiding me onto it as he gathered my skirt, hands skimming my thighs before teasing my heat. I groaned, letting my head fall back, an opportunity Adrian took advantage of as he sucked hard on my neck, letting his teeth press against my skin as he did.

I grew frustrated with his playfulness and reached for his hand, thrusting his fingers inside me. Adrian said nothing, only kissed me harder. He kissed me everywhere—my mouth, my jaw, my neck, my breasts—and all I wanted was to open for him more, feel him more, but I was already wound tight, and my entire body felt like a heartbeat, pulsing and throbbing.