‘At least he’s open and honest about it. I have to drag affectionate words out of you.’

‘You know that I love you, Ehlana. I always have.’

‘That’s not precisely true. When I was still carrying Rollo around, you were only mildly fond of me.’

‘It was more than that.’

‘Oh, really? I saw the pained looks you used to give me when I was being childish and silly, my noble Prince Consort.’ She frowned. ‘That’s a very cumbersome title. When I get back to Cimmura, I think I’ll have a talk with Lenda. It seems to me there’s an empty duchy somewhere – or if there isn’t, I’ll vacate one. I’m going to dispossess a few of Annias’s henchmen anyway. How would you like to be a duke, Your Grace?’

‘Thanks all the same, Your Majesty, but I think I can forgo the encumbrance of additional titles.’

‘But I want to give you titles.’

‘I’m sort of taken with “husband” personally.’

‘Any man can be a husband.’

‘But I’m the only one who’s yours.’

‘Oh, that’s very nice. Practise a bit, Sparhawk, and you might even turn into a perfect gentleman.’

‘Most of the perfect gentlemen I know are courtiers. They’re not generally held in high regard.’

She shivered.

‘You’re cold,’ he accused. ‘I told you to put on a robe.’

‘Why do I need a robe when I have this nice warm husband handy?’

He bent, picked her up in his arms and carried her back to the bed.

‘I’ve dreamed of this,’ she said as he gently put her on the bed, joined her and drew the covers over them. ‘You know something, Sparhawk?’ She snuggled down against him again. ‘I used to worry about this night. I thought I’d be all nervous and shy, but I’m not at all – and do you know why?’

‘No, I don’t think so.’

‘I think it’s because we’ve really been married since the first moment I laid my eyes on you. All we were really doing was waiting for me to grow up so that we could formalize things.’ She kissed him lingeringly. ‘What time do you think it is?’

‘A couple of hours until daylight.’

‘Good. That gives us lots more time. You are going to be careful in Zemoch, aren’t you?’

‘I’m going to do my very best.’

‘Please don’t do heroic things just to impress me, Sparhawk. I’m already impressed.’

‘I’ll be careful,’ he promised.

‘Speaking of that – do you want my ring now?’

‘Why don’t you give it to me in public? Let Sarathi see us keep our part of the bargain.’

‘Was I really too terrible to him?’

‘You startled him a bit. Sarathi’s not used to dealing with women like you. I think you unnerve him, my love.’

‘Do I unnerve you too, Sparhawk?’