I was about to sigh with relief, though even considering that, I wasn’t sure I felt relief for it seemed with that gesture my husband was quite all right to continue this distance from me.

However, he didn’t wait even a second to speak again.

“Before I leave to allow you to send for Tril, I’ll share that Basil will replace Kyril as your personal guard. You’ll be in Kyril’s presence only when you’re with me.”

I felt my lips part in surprise and not because I now understood that Kyril had been assigned to me, something my husband had not openly shared with me.

No, because he’d given me Kyril.

And now he was taking him away.

Mars continued talking.

“You will also limit any time you spend with your father to time when I can attend him with you.”

What?

“But…why?” My question came as a shocked whisper.

“Your father uses you for some purpose I have yet to understand. Until I understand it, I will be at your side when you’re with him.”

“We were talking about books,” I told him.

“Of course you were,” he murmured.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

He didn’t explain what it meant.

He stated, “It will be done, my queen.”

I closed my mouth.

He started toward the tent flaps, and as I was directly in his path and he clearly did not wish to adjust his course in order not to run into me, I scooted out of his way.

He stopped and turned again to me before exiting the tent.

“You were conscious during the piercing ceremony, no?” he asked oddly.

“Y-yes,” I answered.

“And it was spoken in your language,” he noted.

I nodded.

“You told me you were moved by it.”

“I was,” I whispered.

“I’m curious. What, my new wife, moved you?”

“I, well…”

I stared at him.

He didn’t look curious.

He looked annoyed.

He was a king.

He was also my husband.

And I had to remember, I was his wife.

But I also was a queen.

His queen.

I lifted my chin and finished, “All of it.”

“There are two piercings in the ear for a reason, Silence,” he retorted.

I felt my body give an involuntary twitch as his meaning dawned on me.

He carried on, “You do not sleep well. You avoid my presence. My intended was lush and hot and wet in my arms and in my bed when my mouth and hands were on her. My wife is remote and prefers the company of her guard and her father. The latter of whom treated her with callous neglect the entirety of her life but is now her chosen companion.”

“Mars—”