He let her have that before he pointed out, “You are speaking of it, Silence.”

She wrinkled her lips into her nose, and this was so adorable, Mars grinned at her.

Her face relaxed at seeing the smile on his lips, and then she pulled her head away and forced her hand between them to touch the chain that ran from his nostril to his lip.

“You did not take off your chain,” she said softly.

“You slept in yours as well.”

“I missed taking off your chain, Mars,” she whispered.

“As did I, my Silence.”

He felt her body expand with a big breath and then he felt her let it go.

“I think I may not be handling things as well as I would like,” she admitted.

“You have much to wrap your mind around. We will spend the coming days in each other’s company so I can take better care of my queen.”

“It’s not just that, it’s that I…well, it will be good when your mother returns.”

Ah.

“And we will spend the coming days in each other’s company not only so I can keep an eye on you, but also so I can help you navigate things until Mama arrives.”

“I think that would be good,” she murmured, then began to look uncertain. “Do we, erm, need to host an orgy in the garden?”

Mars started to chuckle as he pulled her up so they were face to face, doing this still holding her closely.

“For Miet, there will be a number of them throughout the city, the largest in the Heden District, and yes. It is tradition that Catrame Palace has one in the royal garden.”

“Oh faith,” she muttered.

“If you do not wish to do this, you are queen, Silence. This can be your decision. We can offer food and drink, and if they must, people can fuck behind the hedges.”

A giggle burst from her.

Mars stroked her back and smiled through her amusement, and only when it had waned, did he suggest, “How about we proceed with that plan, and if you change your mind, so be it.”

“That would be fine.”

“Mm,” he murmured.

“Mars?” she called.

“I am right here, piccolina,” he stated, again smiling at her.

“I love you very much.”

He was, indeed, right there.

But at her words, he was right there.

He could, of course, return her words.

However, Mars preferred to show it.

105

The Friends

Princess Serena

The Shanty, Notting Thicket

WODELL

She heard the noises outside the door, and thus had awakened on the pallet and was reaching for her steel star when the knock came.

There were seven knocks Brix and Gal had made her memorize, for they did not know who might be watching and did not want it to appear as if they had a secret code.

Thus, instead, they had seven secret codes.

They were most cautious, Brix and Gal, and she had to admit, good teachers.