"Your lodgings… are you comfortable?" he said.

Ella looked down to break the prince's gaze, uncomfortable yet excited at the way Ilathor was looking at her. "Yes, I'm fine."

Ilathor stepped closer still and lifted Ella's chin to look into her eyes. Ella felt vulnerable, even as part of her wanted to surrender.

"I… I'd best be going."

"That is a shame," Ilathor said, smiling. "The night is young."

She felt his hand on her hip, feeling the smooth material, running his hand up to her slim waist. Prince Ilathor leaned down, his lips parted.

Ella moved towards him, and they kissed.

His beard was surprisingly soft, and the pressure of his embrace was firm, but gentle. Ella could feel him pushing at her back, and she gave in, moving in closer to him as the insistence of his lips against hers grew in intensity.

She felt his tongue hesitantly probe into her mouth, and when hers came to meet it she felt an electric thrill run up her spine as they touched. Ella didn't care about anything else, she wanted him then, with a sensation that started below her belly and tingled through her chest, to her hardening nipples, and the wonderful feeling of his lips on her mouth.

Ella broke the kiss, for a moment only, staring up at his dark, brooding eyes. Prince Ilathor smiled, his fingers stroking the soft hairs at the back of her neck, sending another thrill through her body. His hand moved up, outside the front of her dress, to the underside of her breast.

"It brings me joy to have you here," he said.

Ella looked down at the silver chain around her neck. Even as her body burned from the prince's touch, she felt events were moving too quickly.

"I'm tired from travel," she said, stepping back, but smiling to take any sting out of her words. "I should go to my bed. Good night, Your Highness."

"Good night," the prince said, bowing as he placed his hand over his heart.

Ella turned and walked away, feeling his eyes on her back as she closed the door behind her.

~

TWO weeks later, Ella and Shani stood on the shores of Lake Halapusa, looking down at the small pool of water they'd created off to the side of the lake itself. Ella held a book in her hand and was writing out equations, while Shani crouched down beside the pool and frowned.

A contingent of fifty Hazaran warriors guarded them. Ella had told Jehral she thought it excessive, but Jehral had simply shrugged and said the prince considered the two women too valuable to lose.

Ella heard the sound of hooves and looked up, seeing Jehral approach. His colour had returned in the last weeks and she was now pleased to see he was fully recovered.

"Salute, Ella," Jehral said.

"Ho, Jehral," Ella replied.

"I bring your response from the prince."