He could not believe it could happen, but it did.

He smiled.

He then shifted his head so he could touch his lips to hers.

After that, he shifted them both so he could guide her along the rampart to take her out of the cold.

“Cornelia is somewhat worried. She fears her loss of status here and that you will turn her out,” Elena announced, but before he could open his mouth to share that would not be so, she went on to say, “I have assured her that you would never do that, this is her home, until she wishes to make that elsewhere.”

“Just so,” he muttered.

“And there is a maid who I have found alternate employment in the city,” she carried on.

Cassius braced.

He then sighed.

“It is good employment and her wages will be higher than in the castle,” she continued. “However, if she does not wish it, I will find something else. Though, her choice will not be to remain here.”

“A man has a man’s needs,” he murmured but stopped them both at the door to the turret and looked down at her until she looked up at him. “And I assure you, my lamb, that was consensual.”

“Well this man,” her arm about his waist gave him a squeeze, “now has someone to meet those needs. And I have no doubt it was consensual with the way she looks at you and at me. But you are prince and she is maid, so consent could be blurry. Therefore, we’ll just sort that out as best we can at this juncture, shall we?”

“Simple solutions,” he remarked.

She tipped her head to the side and shrugged her shoulders.

“Mm,” he hummed then moved to her side and reached to open the door. “We shall visit with Domitia. Then, we have a blue velvet sofa to christen.”

He heard her laughter ring in the tower as he guided her into it.

Cassius did not know if laughter had ever rung in that tower.

Bright beats back the dark, she was not wrong.

Transformed.

99

The Quarrel

King Mars

Bedchamber of the King, Catrame Palace, Fire City

FIRENZE

Mars took his mouth from between his queen’s legs, grinning as he heard the disgruntled noise she made.

He then surged over her and rolled to his back, his hands at her hips bringing her over him.

His Silence wasted no time sitting up, straddling him, claiming his cock and impaling herself on it.

Mars was still grinning when her head, that had fallen back in taking him, righted, and she looked down at him.

“Arrogant,” she murmured

He then saw the mercury shift in her eyes and should have known what she’d get up to when he did.

But she was moving atop him, slowly undulating her hips, gliding him out, taking him back, as her hands went to her body, both sliding over her hips to her breasts where she cupped them coyly, her rosy nipples peeking through her fingers.