But now, he could not consider a future without the daily opportunity to look in those silver eyes, to listen to her thoughtful words, to experience the profoundness of her passion, to gaze upon her pale skin beside him in bed or be buried in her wet cunt.

But oddly, of all that, her contradictory demeanor was what he found most attractive.

She was independent, but due to her upbringing, she brought out a protective instinct in him the likes he had not known existed. He was prone to protect the ones he loved, but the maltreatment she endured and the machinations they both were now having to put up with he found intolerable.

She did not need him.

And yet she did.

She gave every impression that she could live her life with her books, her other pursuits, her maid Tril, and that was all, and she would be perfectly content.

But that was not what life gave her.

Life gave her Mars.

As well as a rearing that was abusive in its neglect.

So in the end, she did have need of him.

And one of the reasons why appeared right in that moment at his study door.

He looked at Vanka then past her to the maid.

“Close the door behind the lady,” he ordered.

The maid nodded, curtsied and did as asked.

Vanka had taken two steps in and stopped.

She began it with, “Mars, I cannot say how relieved I am that you agreed to speak to me.”

“You’re my wife’s mother,” he pointed out, coming up from his seat behind the desk. “Though, I will note, I’m not much comfortable with having a conversation without Silence knowing you’re here, so I would suggest you get on with it before what minimal comfort I have vanishes.”

She took his words to heart, two more steps into the room, and stated, “It’s my understanding harsh words were spoken with my husband.”

“Only to the extent such words were returned,” he replied. “It is clear Johan made no effort to know his daughter while he raised her, and thus it is no surprise that he underestimates her.”

Vanka winced at this statement, but she did not deny it.

Mars continued, “He was attempting to drive a wedge between husband and wife, for reasons I do not understand, though in the end, I do not care. Such won’t be abided, no matter the reason. Silence read his intent and made it clear she won’t abide it either.”

“This is…it is…somewhat what I wish to discuss with you.”

He was not following.

“What is? My desire to further strengthen my marriage to a woman who is my queen and will be the mother of my children, a woman I’ve come to care for deeply, rather than having it undermined when it’s barely over a month old? Or your husband’s conniving to make certain that does not happen?”