Naefaren suggests a rest at House Viir to the others, where they can also have a meeting to discuss the next move. As we ride, I turn back in the carriage for the third time to take in the length and breadth of the army Naefaren was able to raise in a matter of hours.

It's impressive.

And kind of scary.

I turn back around to find Naefaren glancing over, my hand still held in his.

"It’s a lot of people."

He nods, facing forward again. "Yes. I did not want to waste time with a long siege. Not when I did not know how you were fairing."

I squeeze his hand. That is really...sweet.

Probably the wrong word for gathering a large number of men to overrun a fortress but I can't come up with anything that fits better off the top of my head.

It doesn't take us that long to reach House Viir, though apparently, I might have never reached it considering the fact that I was walking in the wrong direction. I gave myself a mental slap to the head when I realized that, but there were extenuating circumstances.

So I'm willing to cut myself some slack.

As we pass through the brightly lit tunnel and enter the large cavern containing House Viir, the last little bit of me relaxes. Yes, we were traveling with an army that could most likely meet and defeat anything and anyone that might attack but the idea of something like that thing coming back...

I shudder.

"Cold?" Naefaren asks in concern as we ride across the flat plain before the border wall.

"No. I was simply thinking of that thing that attacked us."

His face tightens. "Yes. It is called a mooli. Very dangerous." He shakes his head. "I confess, I do not know how you survived such an attack."

"I only survived because my rescuer told me to hide while he faced it." Sharpness pangs in my heart at what happened to him.

"Then I will forever be indebted to that male," Naefaren says quietly, bringing my hand up to his mouth and kissing it gently.

When I look back again, the army is spreading out over the flat area, setting up their own campground. I suppose there really isn't any room for this many people inside the walls, so it makes sense.

I lean against Naefaren's shoulder as the guards on the border wall shout out their welcome, opening the gates to let us in.

"Prince Naefaren!"

"Princess Ling, welcome!"

"Oh! My Princess! You are safe!"

I wave at the guards’ exclamations, smiling at their relief and happiness that we are back. I feel exactly the same way. When we enter the marketplace, everyone cheers, separating to either side to allow us a clear path through the crowd. It’s a little odd to me to have so many waiting for my return, but the rush of joy and love is really nice. I'm way past tired, but I straighten and smile, not wanting anyone to worry. I already look like a mess. I can't look beyond exhausted and drained on top of it.

Naefaren looks pulled together as he acknowledges the crowd, hiding the worry, stress, and exhaustion well enough that I wouldn't know how he’s feeling if we didn’t share a bond.

That's a skill I envy.

We make it through the crowd and through the street that leads directly to the House Mansion. When the familiar structure comes in sight, another wave of exhaustion comes over me. Like my body knows we've arrived somewhere I can rest my head.

But I can't sleep just yet. We need to talk to the others first.

Naefaren helps me down from the carriage as the servants rush out into the courtyard to greet us, their faces wearing relieved smiles. My mate smiles back and greets them, asking if they can set up the meeting room with food and drink.

My stomach grumbles in response. I could do with some food.

We all trudge into the meeting room, me leaning on Naefaren’s strong arm so I don't stumble. I'm probably not fooling anyone, but at least my pride is intact.

As we sit, the maids start carrying in platter after platter of hot food.

I blink.

Did the cook wave a magic wand or something?

"Excuse me?" I ask one of the maids as she walks by. "How did you get this out here so quickly?"

"The cook likes to prepare food when she is anxious," the maid explains with a smile. "We have a veritable feast to bring out for you!"

Well. That's sounds great. My anxious habits are not nearly as productive.

I dig in and the other Princes and Naefaren take my cue, filling their plates with food as well. For a good fifteen minutes, there are no noises but those of chewing and drinking. After a glass of water and a plate of food, I almost feel like a new person.

Finally, after the edge is taken off, Naefaren starts.

"House Saren has had a...change of leadership." He looks around at everyone's faces. "But House Caffaar is still under Prince Franean. He is the one who killed my guards and went through with the plan to hold Ling hostage." He looks over at me and takes my hand in his. "I have her back, but I believe we should still attack."

"Is it not too much of a risk without Ling in direct danger?" one of the older Princes asks. "I do not want to put my people in harm's way without urgent cause."

"Yes. And Franean was only following Malathin's orders. Now that he is no longer Prince of House Saren, Franean will not have the vision or the strength of will to do anything so rash himself," someone else chimes in.

A discussion ensues as pros and cons are weighed.

I let it go on for a bit before I give my two cents.

It's only fair since I was the one kidnapped.

"I believe we should attack," I say firmly, everyone quieting and turning to look at me. "If we let this go, people are going to think there aren't going to be any repercussions for such behavior later." I meet their eyes, some sympathetic, some guarded. "A trade embargo is not enough. Not when they killed six guards and this is the second attempt to use me to control Naefaren." I shake my head. "Not using force is a bad idea."

"She is correct," Elorshin murmurs. "Without a direct hit, we will look weak."

"Agreed," Drevakin murmurs along with most of the others.

We talk it over some more, but the vast majority rules to attack House Caffaar.

Naefaren nods sharply as the final decision is reached. "Rest, eat. In the morning, we will ride for House Caffaar."

Nods all around as the Princes scrape back their chairs, ready to leave and inform their men of the plan.

Naefaren doesn't wait until they're gone. "Bath?" he asks, pulling me to my feet.

"Oh, yes," I sigh, the idea of being clean sounds wonderful. "Please."

He chuckles, leading me out of the room and down a narrow hall. It slopes down, turning like a spiral staircase and as we descend, the air turns hotter, more humid until when we finally emerge into the underground springs.

I look around, admiring the reflection of the glowing sieni on the calm surface of the large, dark pool. I turn to Naefaren, his hands already moving to undress me.

"Allow me," he murmurs, his hands efficient as he strips me of everything so smoothly, I barely feel it. He frowns as his fingertips skim my skin, stopping at the myriad bruises and cuts I've sustained since walking into House Caffaar.

God, it doesn't seem like it was such a short time ago.

"I’m fine," I reassure him, cupping the side of his face. I can feel his simmering rage, banked for now.

"Franean will pay," he promises, his voice hoarse as he raises a hand to cup my breast warmly, lowering his head to kiss me.

It is desperate, deep, wet.

And more than welcome.

I make a sound, my hands pulling on his clothes, wanting his skin as well. He wrestles out of them, only breaking the kiss for a moment as he pulls his tunic over his head. In seconds, he's as naked as me, his heavy erection pressed up against my belly as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me in close.

Yes.

This is what I need right now.

Picking me up, he turns and walks us to the steps that lead into the water, his lips still on mine. I gasp into his mouth as the hot water hits my legs, but then moan as we go even deeper, the heat easing my soreness.

When he stops, we're at his waist level, about at my chest. He guides us to the side of the pool where the soaps are arranged neatly.

"You need to be wet," he murmurs, breaking the kiss.

"I am," I mutter, nibbling at his lips.

He grins. "I mean your hair."

Oh. I knew that.

Letting go of him, I sink under the water, shaking out my tangled hair before rising. Backing up onto a ledge constructed under the water, Naefaren picks me up and places me in front, between his legs.

And then he proceeds to wash me.

Thoroughly.

I close my eyes in ecstasy as his fingers sink into my hair, digging into my scalp firmly as he spreads the soap.

Oh. That’s really nice.

He moves on to my body, careful of my bruises and cuts, taking care to get every inch. By the time I rinse off, I am a limp, completely relaxed from his care.

Lowering me to lay down in the shallow water above the ledge, Naefaren stares down. The water only comes half way up my side, leaving almost all of me exposed.

"Ling," he says roughly, dipping his head down to take one of my nipples in his mouth.

I cry out, my fingers sliding into his wet hair. He's been nothing but gentle so far, but he's rough now as he sucks at my nipples, his hands roaming my body, squeezing my hips.

His cock nudges my entrance.

I raise my knees, pushing my hips up against him.

With a low moan, he levers himself up on his arms, the muscles flexing hard as he meets my eyes.

"I need to be inside you," he says as he starts pushing in, the broad head of his erection stretching my entrance.

"Yes," I sigh, closing my hands on the corded strength of his arms as my eyes scan down his flexed chest and cobblestone abs to watch his length invade me. "Yes."

He pushes in, holding me by the hips as I raise one arm to brace myself against the edge of the pool. His entire body shudders as he bottoms out, his ribs expanding and contracting with his heavy breathing.

"Naefaren," I murmur, my body moving under his. "More."

He growls.

And then the chains are broken,

Pushing my legs up until my ankles are braced on his shoulders, he pounds into me, his eyes holding mine, his hands touching me wherever he can reach.

Like he can't get enough.

I understand.

I caress him in return, wanting to touch all of that beautiful, glistening skin. But then I have to use both hands to brace myself as his thrusts push me back, the water lapping at my skin like thousands of individual tongues.

It's almost too much with what he's doing.

I shut my eyes, my body arching as the orgasm hits me from left field, rushing through my body in an almost painful slice. I cry out, my nails digging into Naefaren's arms as my body convulses, the pleasure riding me hard.

Naefaren snarls, shoving into me even harder, his hand going between my legs. He pinches my clitoris between his fingers in a rubbing hold. I scrabble for purchase as another wave rolls through me, my mouth open as I try to gasp in enough air.

He pushes in so deep I can feel him in my throat.

And then his own orgasm hits.

His body tightens above mine, his cock convulsing deep inside. With our bond it’s like experiencing two orgasms simultaneously.

"Ling," he says, gravel making his voice rough. "Ling."

I pull him down on top of me, kissing his face, his lips, smoothing my hands over his broad shoulders and back.

"Shh. It's okay," I murmur, nuzzling his ear. "It's okay."

And in that moment, with him still buried inside me, with him held in my arms...

It is okay.