My shadow had not been faulty the other eve in his bedchamber.

He could see through it!

How could this be?

Balls!

I dropped it before he arrived and as I was very quickly becoming accustomed, now that I was his, officially, legally, in the eyes of his gods (and probably mine, even if we had not been wed in a temple), he did not hesitate to lay his hands on me.

This he did by cupping my jaw in both of his big palms and dipping his face right into mine.

“Are you well?” he asked.

I stared through the moonlight and lamplight and lanternlight at his handsome visage.

I wondered how he got those scars since I had seen him wield a sword, and no one got remotely close enough with even a tip, before they perished.

“Silence,” he growled, the rumble filled with concern.

I opened my mouth, but he straightened. Catching me in the curve of an arm, he shifted his other hand back so it sifted through my hair as he drew me to his body.

“This is too much. You’ve had no rest. A frightening night. A trying day. A long evening. It’s time we’re to bed.”

Oh gods.

“I could…I probably should—” I began.

“No, my wee monkey,” he said, curling his fingers in my hair and using his knuckles to stroke my scalp. “Have you had time with Piccola today?”

I shook my head.

“She’ll miss her mama,” he murmured. “Go up. Have your woman bring her to you. Prepare for bed. I’ll tell Mama we’re retiring. She’s adept at clearing those who would make nuisances of themselves by outstaying their welcome, doing this without communicating they’re outstaying their welcome. As the crowd thins out, guests of the palace will find their beds.”

I would eventually have to watch Elpis do this for I had a feeling with the Firenz this would be an important skill to have.

“But now, you go up,” he ordered.

“These are my guests too, Mars,” I reminded him.

He sent one of those smiles my way that did things to my belly (and regions south). Things that, after recent events, I found confusing.

“You prepare for your new husband to meet you in our chambers, my queen, they will think nothing of you retiring without farewells.”

“Of course,” I muttered, dropping my eyes to his chest.

“Silence.”

I lifted my gaze to Mars again.

He dipped closer to me.