The door crashed inward with a force that rattled the hinges. Consort Daufina jumped backward, uncharacteristically terrified. She landed on the cushioned divan in front of her wooden bed. The room was dimly lit, and a part of her held still to wonder who would disturb her.

But when Edric stormed into her bedchamber, she relaxed.

“What an entrance,” she said.

“Don’t,” he snapped. “Not now, Daufina.”

He slammed the door with vigor and strode toward her. Edric’s blue eyes were storm clouds. He looked stiff and tense and irritated beyond belief. No, furious. If she didn’t know him so well, she wouldn’t have seen the fury buried under it all.

Before he had arrived, unannounced, she had been in the process of undressing for bed. She was still in her silk shift and reached instinctually for a dressing gown to cover herself before the King. Not that Edric hadn’t seen her in less before, but…well, things were different now. They were not together like that, nor had they been for a long time. She was an advisor, his best friend, and confidant, not a lover. She took the pink gown from the end of the bed, slipped it on, and began to tie it into place.

“Leave it off,” he said forcefully.

Her eyes rose to meet his. She was sure that they mirrored the shock in her expression. “Excuse me?”

“I’m your king. You’ll do as I say.”

She narrowed her eyes but let the dress fall from her shoulders into a pool on the floor. She was still completely covered in her white shift, but she felt naked in that moment, exposed in a way she hadn’t felt around Edric in a long time. He held the power, but he treated her like a partner. He must be irritated indeed to command her.

She dropped a regal curtsy and downcast her eyes. If he wanted to be above her, then she would hold to his station.

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

“Rise, Daufina,” he growled. “I’ve no time for it.”

“Of course, Highness.”

He cleared the distance between them, took her by the shoulders, and firmly planted a kiss on her rosy lips. She stood, frozen in plain shock for a moment, before reminding herself that this was the King of Byern, and she relaxed into his hold.

He stopped abruptly, only seconds after starting, and stared down into her eyes, searching. She had no clue as to what he was searching for.

“It’s not there,” he said dismally.

“What’s not there, Highness?” She was a little woozy and was glad that he was holding her up. She wasn’t sure he’d ever kissed her like that before. Perhaps if he had, she would have fallen in love with the man and not the crown after all.

“The energy. The current. The passion. That blasted…zap that tethers me to her,” he said miserably.

Cyrene. He was talking about Cyrene.

She wasn’t sure why she deflated, but it felt like a blow. He’d kissed her to see if he’d feel something…anything for someone else.

Daufina’s gaze hardened, and she straightened up. She was not some wanton woman he could just throw his fancies at. She was near his equal and had risen to it by her intelligence, not birth. She was the highest-ranked woman in the land, and she would never again fall prey to the King’s whims.

“What is troubling you, Edric?” she said, dropping the formality now that she knew where this was all leading.

“You know. Of course you know.”

“The entire kingdom knows by now.”

He turned away from her, staring at her empty bed. “I’m calling it off.”

“The search?”

“Yes. Kael has gone on to the capital city, and if he cannot bring her home, then she is lost to me.” He sounded bitter, like a broken man.

“You love her.” It was not a question.

“Yes.”

“You should go see your wife.”

Edric whipped around to face her. He looked aghast at the suggestion. “How do you think that would possibly fix anything?”

“It would fix one thing.”

“No. It would not fix that either. She has miscarried three times now, Daufina. How many more before we realize that she is unfit?”

“And what will you do if she is?” Daufina asked. “Would you turn her aside and remarry? Could you?”

Edric ground his teeth. Only with Daufina would he allow so much loss of control. “Merrick already believes that I should.”

“Merrick,” she snarled.

She hated that man. Usurping her authority, looking down on women, shadowing the King like a watchdog. He was dangerous, and the King didn’t even see it.

He ignored her distaste. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “My father’s dying wish was for an heir. If I can’t get one with Kaliana, then what? I let the Dremylons die out after nearly two thousand years of rule? I allow Kael’s children—Creator help us all—inherit the throne? If it comes down to it and it’s the only way, I would have to.”

Daufina reached out and placed her hand on Edric’s shoulder. “Then, make certain that it is not the only way. You have not been to her quarters since Cyrene left…since before that.”

“How can I when I am so in love with someone else?”

“Tell me,” she said, reaching out and bringing his chin to face her, “do you love her more than your country? Would you give it all up for her?”

What she saw in his eyes scared her witless. Because she knew…deep down, the answer could be yes, if only Cyrene asked.

“Don’t even think it,” she breathed. “Make your country whole again.”

Edric nodded, resigned to his task, and left her chambers.

She swallowed hard in his absence. What kind of spell had Cyrene Strohm cast that could corrupt him so?