But I want a son who looks like you.

The thought entered her mind unbidden, and even if it astonished her, the having of it instantly made it a yearning.

“If we should have a son, we will teach him to love his brother, like your brother loved you, and you loved him,” she said.

He slid out, turned her to face him, then pressed her to the wall with his body, his face close to hers.

“If we had a son, he would have claim to my brother’s throne. We will have no son, Serena.”

“We would teach him—”

“You are Nadirii, you wish a boy?” he asked.

I want a boy just like you, she thought.

“I want you to have what you want,” she said.

“Then give me girls with copper hair and freckles.”

“I can magic the sex,” she muttered. “The rest is up to the goddess.”

His eyes smiled. “Then I shall pray to my gods for copper hair and freckles.” And with that, he kissed her quickly, then moved away, heading toward the door, tucking himself in his trousers as he murmured, “Clean up and go have tea and biscuits with your sister. I will see you here again as we ready ourselves for dinner.”

“Chu,” she called.

At the door, his trousers rebuttoned, he turned to her.

“Why?” she asked.

“Why?” he asked in return, his head tipping slightly to the side, his expression puzzled.

She swallowed.

And all she could say to explain her question was, “Me.”

“I did note the copper hair and freckles,” he answered immediately.

She swept her gaze away.

“My princess.”

She looked back.

“Why me?” he queried.

“Sorry?”

He studied her then inquired, “Why have you convinced yourself you are unlovable? Why do you ask yourself why my heart belongs to you and you do not ask yourself why you gave yours to me? What makes me worthy?”

“You are…Chu,” she stated lamely.

His lips tipped up. “I am that.”

She felt his seed gliding down her thigh, not to mention she felt entirely uncomfortable with this conversation she, herself, foolishly instigated, and thus she murmured, “I must clean up.”

“And you are Serena,” he called after she’d begun to turn away.

She turned back.

“I have fucked many women. I have mastered many women,” he announced, and her stomach twisted. “Not one of them was like you.”

“I don’t know what that means.”