“You see it now,” Adrian said.

“There are two skulls,” I said. “If one is Dragos, who is the other?”

Adrian’s fingers threaded through mine, and he spoke near my ear.

“His name was Branimir,” he said. “He was my commander.”

I did not remember him.

“Was he horrible to you?”

When he did not answer, I turned my head toward him. I could feel his breath on my cheek and his hand pressed against my stomach.

“Adrian?”

“No more than anyone else,” he said, his voice low, and I took deep and steady breaths as his lips trailed my neck, his hand moving from my stomach to the bodice of my dress.

“We have court,” I said, trying to turn toward him, but he held me in place. “Adrian,” I said, growing frustrated, and he chuckled against my skin.

“Yes, my queen?”

“Do not pretend you do not know what you are doing.”

“I’d rather you explain,” he said.

“That you are making me furious?”

He laughed again. “I like your fury,” he said, hand lifting to my neck. “Let me taste it.”

Just as his lips crashed against mine, someone cleared their throat, though Adrian was in no hurry to stop his assault on my mouth until I pushed against his chest.

Daroc stood at the door that led into Adrian’s study. His eyes were fierce, his face like stone. I thought of my conversation with Sorin and wondered if his frustration came from their fight or Adrian’s obsession with me.

“We’ll open the doors if you are ready, Your Majesties,” he said.

“Does it look like we are ready?” Adrian asked, annoyed.

“You cannot have me in the throne room before court, Adrian,” I said.

He raised a brow and I knew what he was going to say.

“That is not a challenge,” I said, stepping away from him and heading for my throne. “We are ready, General.”

Daroc nodded and closed the adjoining door.

As I turned to sit, I found Adrian still standing at the base of the dais staring at me.

“Yes?”

“Nothing, my sweet,” he said. “I am only imagining what it will be like when I fuck you on this throne before my court.”

I could not help the smile that tugged at my mouth. I straightened my back and crossed one leg over the other. I was not sure how I felt about performing in such a way, though I knew those who attended Adrian’s court had no qualms about having sex publicly.

“You would let your court look upon me?”

“Your body? No,” he said. “Your pleasure? Yes.”