I run my thumb over the soft skin of her inner arm.

“My enemies banded together and retook the West. They called themselves representatives and established their leadership throughout the WUN. Despite the similarities in names, their government is nothing like the one the one they replaced. Ever since then, we’ve been at war.”

To be honest, I’m more interested in the feel of my hand along her flesh than I am in retelling this bleak history. The world has been the way it is for the last hundred years, and I’ve had a century to come to terms with it. Meanwhile, I’ve only had a day to drink up my wife’s essence.

“Montes.”

I am the ancient one, and yet every time I meet her gaze I can’t help but feel I’m looking at someone even older than me.

“How is it that after all this time, you haven’t managed to defeat the West?” she asks.

It’s the most laughable question. No one tries to lose a war.

“I know you have the resources,” she says. “So why, Montes?”

“They fought dirtier than I did.”

“No one fights dirtier than you.”

I’m still holding one of her hands in my own. I tug on it, pulling her close. “That was true until I met you. They are your people, nire bihotza. You care for them, as I care for you. I tried to do right.”

Her eyes widen almost imperceptibly. “What are you saying?”

I bring her hand to my mouth and kiss those soft, scarred knuckles of hers, but I don’t respond. It should be obvious.

She and I are love and war. Peace and violence. I have taught her how to be a worse person, and she’s taught me how to be a better one. I fuel her hate, and she fuels my love.

I’ve torn the world apart and now I need my queen to help me stitch humanity back together, and my heart along with it.

Chapter 13

Serenity

A swimsuit waits for me when we return to our rooms.

“What’s this?” I say, picking up the two dainty scraps of material.

The king comes striding in behind me. “I’ve decided I’m only going to answer your intelligent questions. The inane ones you’ll just have to figure out for yourself.”

I flash him an annoyed look.

He begins to change next to me, and I realize a swimsuit has been laid out for him as well.

When I don’t follow his lead, he says, “You don’t have to get in the ocean. You can stay inside the palace, just as you have for the last several decades.”

This man knows how to play me even better now than he did a hundred years ago.

“I need to work more, Montes. There’s so much I have to catch up on.” Of course in his world, the king has time for idle swims when there’s work to be done.

“I will allow you to continue to ask me questions while we swim,” he says, unzipping his pants. He steps out of his fatigues a moment later. Reflexively, I back up.

He’s shirtless and clad only in a pair of boxer briefs, all of that toned, olive skin on display. I feel my body react to the sight of him before my mind can catch up.

The king notices, and his gaze heats. “Provided, of course, that the same rules apply.”

“What rules?” I ask, pretending that I don’t feel the heat crawling up my cheeks.

“That I get to touch you while I answer them.”

I narrow my gaze, still not making a move to put on the suit.

As we stare each other down, he drops his boxer briefs, and I get an eyeful of a very aroused king. He’s not embarrassed in the least.

I am. Even after all that we’ve done together I’m still somewhat modest.

Leisurely he grabs his suit, taking his time to pull it on just so that he can toy with me a little longer. And then he’s done changing, and I still haven’t moved.

Seeing that I won’t be joining him, he heads to the door, but then pauses when he gets there. “Serenity?”

I glance over at him.

“I was lying. You don’t get a choice. I’ll give you five minutes to change, and then whatever state of dress you’re in, my men will bring you to me.”

He’s so lucky I don’t have a gun.

From the moment I leave the back doors of the palace, I can feel Montes’s eyes on me.

I scowl first at him, then at the guards that flank me.

I did change into the swimsuit he left for me. I’ll give the king that much. Then I went into our closet and put on the most expensive gown I could find. Seed pearls are sewn into intricate designs across the bodice and down the sleeves.

I intend to ruin it in the salty water ahead of me.

Like I told him when we first met, I’m a vindictive bitch.

Not to mention that dresses like this one belong leagues under the sea.

The breeze lifts my gauzy skirts, like the wind wants to rub its phantom fingers over the material. It is lovely. That won’t stop me from destroying it.

The king is thigh deep in the water, looking like some strange sea god as the waves roll in around him. His hair is swept back from his forehead, and all those fine muscles of his glisten in the sun. Even this far away, I can see him assessing my clothing. Whatever he’s thinking, it brings a grin to his face. If I had to guess, I’d say my defiance amuses him.

“You got all dressed up for me,” he says when I’m within hearing range. “I’m so honored.”

My bare feet sink into the warm sand as I approach him. I don’t bother lifting my skirts as the granules tangle in them.