Dedryn stood just inside their room, dressed in a sleeveless, maroon tunic with gold trim and tan trousers tucked into sleek, black boots. His face was clean-shaven and sharp, his golden eyes hard as they moved from his son to focus on her.

Noticing his change in attention, Jaren whipped around, his eyes flaring and his mouth falling open as pure, unfiltered adoration filled her chest. And before she could even process the heightened emotion he was pumping into her, he closed the space between them, his hands tenderly grasping her face.

His eyes were bright and glassy as he tipped her head back and whispered, “You are mine.”

The words weren’t a claiming or a demand like every other time he’d said them, but a breath over her lips, like they’d been pulled straight from his heart, and he didn’t quite believe them.

Heat filled her cheeks under his penetrating stare, and she fidgeted, aware of their audience. “I didn’t realize you cleaned up so nice, green eyes.”

He blinked rapidly, almost like he was coming out of a trance, and then a slow, sinful smile spread across his face.

Dropping his mouth just above her ear, he whispered, “You’re fucking ethereal, aitanta. A star incarnate. But I am going to have so much fun tearing this gown to shreds as I remove it from your body.”

“Don’t you dare,” she said, shoving him back. He chuckled, turning to stand beside her as she rolled her eyes and looked to Dedryn.

A muscle feathered in his jaw. “Are you quite done?”

Jaren’s arm pulled back only to smack her on the ass, pulling an embarrassing yelp from her throat. “Now, I am.”

Oh, my fucking gods.

She wasn’t sure, but she could’ve sworn Dedryn’s lips twitched as he shook his head and turned to Reniya. “King Vesstan has dismissed you for the night. Jaren and I will escort her back.”

Reniya nodded that she’d heard, but instead of bowing and taking her leave, she made direct eye contact with her, refusing to move. Vera frowned at first, until she realized Reniya was waiting for her to answer her question from the bathing room.

Eyes stinging, she smiled and nodded. “I’ll be all right. Go enjoy your evening, Reni.”

Her entire body went rigid at the nickname, and a comical look crossed her features before she shook it away, bowing quickly and marching out of the room.

The second she disappeared through the door, Jaren’s neutral expression dropped. “What are you doing here?”

“Onas Dornelin arrived to our meeting earlier quite frazzled. He informed King Vesstan that it was highly unlikely Vera would come alone this evening. I seconded his assumption,” he said, lips thinning in reprimand or to hide a smile, she wasn’t sure.

Jaren’s hands fisted. “Let me guess, King Vesstan sent you to try to prevent me from going.”

Dedryn shook his head, surprising them both. “No, he said it would be educational for you to attend.” He gave his son a warning look. “I am simply here to make sure you behave and to prepare you. Note, Taeral will also be present as his guardian.”