15. FIFTEEN #2
Oh. We just discussed not taking lovers, but I never considered that might mean we would fill the role for each other. I’ve been so focused on my revenge that the natural steps after a marriage never crossed my mind.
Bearing an heir isn’t part of our arrangement, and I will not allow such an addition now.
“I have no intention of being with child any time soon.” Especially not yours.
“Yes, a pregnancy would be a wrinkle in our plans. Luckily, we have tonics that prevent such unfortunate circumstances.”
Kalisham has a similar brew. One that I won’t be needing. “You seem to be confused, Emperor Darius. I agreed to be your wife, but that doesn’t mean I consent to anything physical between us. Political benefits are more than satisfactory.”
“Would our child not be a political benefit? An incentive to keep the peace between our nations in the long run?” His tone is teasing, but he grabs the back of the couch hard enough to make it creak.
“A child,” I scold, “is not some political pawn for you to use.”
His fist relaxes, and he appraises me with a small smile. “I agree completely. And I have no need for an heir. If my child wants to be emperor one day, then they’ll have to earn the title by being worthy of it.”
“You don’t plan on familial succession?” I expected the man who united the continent with blood to ensure his line remained in control.
“No. Power should go to those who wield it wisely.” His sincere conviction throws me a bit. I solidified him in my mind as a tyrant, a tool for revenge, but he is proving to be more complex than that.
He continues, “That’s why I have no need for more than one queen. You’re worth more than just your womb. I’d appreciate you keeping that between us for now. My council may be less inclined to support our union if they knew about my plans this early on.”
Darius’s words are like a balm over my previous irritation. There may be hope for Veloria yet. “Of course. What’s one more secret between allies?”
With a quick prayer and the slow turn of my hand, I summon the last bit of my wine from the table. It trails between us before forming a small sphere at the tip of my finger. Darius’s breath catches as I bring it to my lips and drink.
“I see you command more than just nature.” He studies me with a mixture of curiosity and desire.
I smirk. While I have no intention of disclosing my full powers, I want to reward his trust in me. “Wind and water grace me with their cooperation. And so much in this world is made up of both.”
“I look forward to seeing that in action.” His lips tip up in a dangerous smile that has no right being so attractive. My cheeks warm as his gaze traces my curves. “I should’ve asked this sooner, but how old are you?”
“Nearly two moons past twenty. What does my age matter?”
“It matters a great deal. Veloria doesn’t allow child brides.”
I heard horror stories about wives being taken as early as twelve in other nations. I shudder at the thought. “What about you? Your youthful appearance was quite the shock at first,” I challenge.
“I’m twenty-four. So old that my esteemed council was greatly concerned for my marriage status.” That means he started his war campaign at my age. I picked a good ally indeed.
I roll my eyes, unable to hide my amusement. “Hardly an old man. I’m sure their concern was grounded in your attitude, not your appearance.”
“Are you saying you find my demeanor unattractive?”
Strong jaw, dark lashes. His nose is a little crooked, like it wasn’t set properly after a break, but it complements him somehow. He’s undeniably handsome.
I study his deep brown eyes, warm and teasing, as I try to calm my hammering pulse. “Let’s just say I’d agree that your appearance isn’t the issue.”
In a moment, the air grows thick as honey.
He shifts forward. Neither of us breaks eye contact as he brings his hand to my face. His finger carefully caresses my cheekbone before coming to rest under my chin. He could easily kill me from his position. I stiffen at the touch as fire radiates from his fingertips down to my core.
He’s close enough that I can feel the heat from his body and his breath on my lips. He smells like cedar, sweet and woodsy, and I resist the urge to lean into his scent.
“Political benefits are the safer reward for this marriage, but should you change your mind, Mina, I’d be happy to fulfill my duties as your husband. I wasn’t lying when I said you’ll be the only one to share my bed.”
Translation: if he does not lie with me, he will not lie with anyone else. Men lie and cheat all the time, but there is a seriousness in his gaze that tells me his vow will be true.
My thighs clench, and I’m grateful for the thick skirt that hides my reaction. I have needs. The same as every woman. But they do not outweigh my mission, and I will not let this man distract me.
Maybe the wine made me susceptible to his sweet words; otherwise, I wouldn’t be considering his offer.
We study each other, frozen in place, as our breaths synchronize. His eyes drop to my lips, and my heart finds its way into my throat. What would it be like to kiss him? The two of us fighting to take control with each sweet—
I swallow, and he suddenly sits back, breaking whatever spell held me in place.
Desperate for a change of subject, I walk to the door and call for Jaime. She pops her head in and hands me a stack of papers. I walk back to Darius, reestablishing a healthy distance between us, and push them against his chest. “You asked for my training proposal for the new troops.”
I resist pulling at the neckline of my dress to ease the flush.
He turns his attention from me to the documents, scanning through them quickly enough for me to be offended. I spent hours perfecting those plans.
“Looks promising. I’ll have a few notes, but those can wait until morning.”
The whole purpose of tonight was to go over the proposal, yet I don’t fight him on it. He seems as eager as I am to end the evening now.
“Thank you for dinner.”
His mask of indifference slides back into place, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thank you for agreeing to dine with me. Good night, Mina.”
My name is soft on his lips, leaving me more confused about his hot and cold personality than ever. “Good night, Darius.”
Before my body can do anything reckless, I throw open the door and head back toward my room with Jaime.