I begin to move towards Serenity, my strides quickening the closer I get. She storms down the steps, her eyes trained on mine.

The distance evaporates between us, and then I’m dragging her to me and forcing a kiss on her. I can’t say it’s all that gentle. I want her to fight back, I want to feel that brutal life force of hers come to life beneath my mouth and my hands.

It does.

She grabs the lapels of my suit, fisting the material in her hands. I feel her shake me roughly, like she can’t decide whether she wants to pull me closer or push me away. I’m not going to give her the option.

“You are such an idiot,” she whispers when our lips briefly part.

I smile into the kiss. “That is no way to talk to the man who just saved your life.”

I allow her to pull away. “You gave them an entire continent.”

“I did.”

“You’re going to lose the respect of your people.”

I capture her hand.

Still alive. It’s going to take several minutes to believe it.

“And you’ll win it back for me.”

Serenity

The king might very well be losing his mind, I think as we pull up to the palace. I’m still going over the last twenty-four hours in my head.

Never has he given up a kingdom for a single person. I doubt he’s ever even given up a car for someone.

Not true, I correct. He gave up quite a few things in the past when my life was slipping through his fingers.

But this is unprecedented.

I exit the car with him, staring up at his enormous Mediterranean home. After spending time holed up in a plane, a dungeon, and a Sleeper, I can’t bear the thought of a roof pressing down on me.

“Serenity.”

My eyes move to the king.

He must be able to read all of my emotions because I see panic in his own. I don’t blame him for it. I’m here, but I’m also a million miles away.

I agreed to kill him.

My throat works. “I don’t want to go inside. Not yet—please.”

I’m so rarely polite, and I see Montes physically react to this.

The king might not be the only one losing their mind.

He gives me a subtle nod, then looks to one of his men. “Have someone get the boat ready, and make sure it’s stocked with everything the queen and I might need.”

As soon as the order leaves Montes’s mouth, one of the guards begins to radio commands to his men.

I’m still stuck on the word boat.

I jog my memory, trying to remember if I’ve ever been aboard a boat. Nothing comes to mind.

A nervous thrill runs through me, chasing away my dark thoughts.

Pressing a hand to the small of my back, Montes steers me around the edge of the palace, towards the back gardens. I can tell he wants to touch me. More than touch. He wants to devour me alive. I can feel his hand trembling with the need.

He’s not alone. But it’s more than just his body I wish to explore. I want to see inside that twisted mind of his and understand what drove him to give up so much for me.

He gave away a territory for me. I intend to take his head.

A sick sensation courses through me, and I sway a little.

Montes notices. “Once we dock at the end of the day, you will get checked out by the royal physician.”

I’ve passed through quite a few hospitals and seen quite a few doctors since I married the king. My prior phobia of them has only increased.

The king must see the fresh mutiny in my eyes. “That is not a suggestion, Serenity.”

I know it’s not. Even if I refused the king’s order, he’d find a way to force me into a medical examination.

It doesn’t mean I like it.

His eyes flick to my stomach, and oh God, I know where his mind drifted. What his motives are.

My hand drifts over my midsection. “I’m not pregnant,” I say quietly.

“You don’t know that.” He looks concerned, but he sounds … hopeful. Of course the greediest, loneliest man in the world would get a taste for companionship and want more.

And he’s right. I don’t know that I’m not pregnant, but it’s doubtful. I took a bullet to the stomach, after all.

Regardless, I’m not having this conversation right now.

I squint off to the horizon, seeing the blue ocean stretch on and on.

“I’ve never been on a boat,” I say.

I’m sure Montes doesn’t miss the subject change.

I feel his gaze on me. “Then I hope you enjoy it.”

Chapter 45

Serenity

I cling to the railing, another wave of nausea rolling over me. I’ve been on this blasted thing for not even ten minutes and already I feel like this was a grave mistake.

I’m pretty sure I fucking hate boats.

“When we get back, you’re seeing the physician straightaway.”

“I’m not pregnant,” I growl.

He’s trying to goad me. I can hear the smile in his voice.

“The waves are bad here,” he says. “Once we get farther out, your—” pregnant pause, “stomach should settle.”

He heads over to me, pulling my form away from the railing and forcing me to sit on one of the plush couches arranged on the deck.

“Keep your eyes on the horizon and rest. I’ll be right back.”

I sit a little straighter as he moves to the interior of the boat. I don’t dare try to follow him out of fear that the close quarters will make the sickness worse.

Montes returns several minutes later with two items—a glass of something fizzy, and a bottle with a cream of some sort.