«What's the matter, now?» the Duke chuckles.

He's clearly amused by my incoherent sighs. I just asked him to stop, yet I'm still melting in his embrace.

«Just wait a few days, all right?» I voice, finally finding enough clearness of mind to say a few words.

«For what? Am I not allowed to kiss my wife?»

«That's not it,» I mutter. The problem is that this Duchess wants more, yet she can't have it right now. It's not my Duke's lust, the issue. Not this time.

«We should eat,» he affirms, seeing my confused expression. «My Duchess must be hungry.»

No, I'm not really all that hungry.

Alexander bows over and reaches out for the closest plate. He analyses the contents and crooks his mouth.

«Cheese,» I notice. «You don't like it?»

«Not particularly. Meat is better.»

Figures. In Ethiro they do eat meat all the time.

«All right,» I whisper. «There must be some roast beef on the table. This Duchess will eat cheese.»

«You need energy,» he protests.

«Cheese gives me more energy than meat.»

And it's also easier to digest. Not to mention that it goes marvellously with the wine made in Kyre.

«Try this,» Alexander mutters while reaching out for some purple marmalade. He puts some on top of the cheese and offers me the bite.

I accept the offer, already knowing that this weird mix will be difficult to chew. My hand is reaching out for some bread when the combination of the salty cheese and the sweet yet sour jam makes me moan.

«It's delicious!» I exclaim as if discovering a new wonder. «Is the marmalade made from those blueberries?»

«Correct,» he nods. «I knew my Duchess would have liked it.»

He prepares a few other pieces for me. I eat, forgetting that my Duke must be hungry as well. He's been pretty busy, these last days. I'm still sitting on his lap, so he can't even get up in search of food. He has to settle with what's within his reach.

When I realise the situation, I turn abruptly and try to grab the meat. It's far from us, and I barely manage to reach the plate. However, I lose my balance for a moment and almost fall on the floor, but Alexander's arm quickly surrounds my waist and keeps me in place.

«Here,» I whisper, offering him the food caught with so much effort. «For you.»

I try feeding him, since he's done the same to me, and I'm pleased to see that the Duke accepts my idea. He munches happily. Since his hands are free, this way, he can caress my back or hug me all the time.

«You should have some vegetables too,» I state while forcing him to eat everything. He tends to be picky, sometimes. However, today, he eats without complaint. He's just a bit clingy, though.

Not that it bothers me. My Duke is warm and comfortable.

«You should write to your brother,» he starts.

I look at him with a surprised expression, but I soon try to hide my thoughts.

I would like to contact my brother, but I'm afraid to put him in danger. What more, I'm not even sure where he is. It didn't seem wise to ask, in case they interrogated me before the execution.

«I'm sure you miss him,» my Duke continues.

«This Duchess can't write to him,» I whisper.

«No one will trace the letter, nor is anyone planning on attacking or using your brother. The throne is lost, he doesn't have a claim anymore.»

«I know that,» I sigh. «The only certain information is that my brother is in Asteria. Any letter written to him would pass in the hands of those people, Alexander.»

«Oh,» he utters, discerning my troubles. After all, he's the one suspecting that Asteria is eyeing my city and some parts of the Empire.

«It's not safe. And I don't want to put my brother in danger. Not if we can't control the whole path the letter travels, which is impossible at the moment.»

«What about your diplomatic relationships, though? You've been in war for years. How did you manage to keep in contact?»

«The ambassadors in Polis left around the second year when it was clear that the Empire wouldn't retreat that easily. However, their wives continued to send me letters. Maybe because I was a cute child,» I shrug. «I don't know how to say it without wounding your pride, but your army never truly stopped my missives.»

«We caught a couple,» Alexander mumbles.

«Bait,»

He snickers, a bit too happy for someone that had been tricked.

«Should have figured,» he breathes.

Well, it didn't help me much. In the end, we still lost.

Ethiro found the springs that fuelled the city, and they cut our water supply. We couldn't drink the water from the river, it's too dirty and salty. So, we signed the truce.

«What would you have done if we didn't surrender?» I inquire. «Would you have let us all die of thirst?»

Alexander is stroking my back rhythmically, and he doesn't stop just to answer. His hand is light and calming, so the fear of his answer isn't as manifest as in earlier situations.

«Would you have ever chosen that path, Thea?»

I shake my head, and he chuckles.

«Then why should I consider that option? You're wise, and you care. That's what made you resist so long to a siege.»

«That's what made me lose, in the end.»

«Oh, no. I am the one that forced you in a corner. Don't take away that merit from me...»

«Do you need that merit this much?» I sulk.

«Oh, yes!» he chuckles.

«Isn't this Duchess enough as a reward? You want the praise as well?»

«As much praise as you can speak.»

«How did you find the springs, though?»

«We searched hard enough.»

«And how did you know where to look for? It's not like there is a single mountain high enough. Also, it was one of the best-hidden secrets of my city.»

«Not as hidden as you think,» he mutters. His eyes darken all of a sudden, and he wears a gloomy expression.

«Well, this gives me a hint on who your spy could be.»

«Spy?» he repeats, surprised.

Then, he returns to his usual relaxed face. It shouldn't be that surprising that I figured out what happened. He didn't even try to hide that he knew everything about me.

«Who was it?» he asks.

«You tell me,» I blink.

«This Duke doesn't want to.»

«Please?» I whisper. It's not like it would change anything.

«No.»

«I won't get mad, it's a promise!»

«You already are mad, my dear. And also, that person ought to be protected from your vengeful fury.»

«I won't take revenge,» I roll my eyes.

«Mhm, as if I could believe you.»

«Have you already awarded that person? Or you killed them?»

«Neither,» he whispers. Then, he looks on the floor, trying to figure out something. «Both,» he adds.

«You gave them an award before taking their life? You're cruel,» I exclaim. Still, I don't move away. My Duke's cruelty isn't really that much of an issue. Also, it's not like the life of a traitor has much value.

«Don't you like a cruel Duke?»

«Oh, I do!» I breathe. My gaze is back locked at his lips, my mind distracted anew by his naughty words. «This Duchess likes that so much!»

I feel wild and crazy, but I can't help but pass my tongue on my lips. The kiss of before is still lingering on my skin, and I'd just continue from...

«Thea, if you look at me like that...»

«Like what?» I inquire, not really surprised that my Duke noticed. Can anything evade his attention? It's not the case.

«Like if you want me to kiss you,» he explains, rather calmly.

«There's no like if.»

«No?»

I shrug, while his lips get closer, slowly and painfully. Every moment he's parted from me feels like an hour, but I finally manage to get my coveted kiss.

A gasp makes my shoulders flinch when his hand squeezes my butt, but I can't stop him. I just let him touch me, and I feel him as well. My sensitive breasts shiver when pressed on his chest, and the thick underwear smooths my Duke's rough touch.

When the nightgown's sleeve slips down, exposing part of my chest, my head bends back in an invite. Alexander moves down with his mouth, too slow to be it by chance. I inhale, trying to accumulate the air that I forgot to breathe for a few seconds.

His teeth sink in my soft bosom, and I let out a scream, in between ecstasy and pain. I can already imagine the mark that will appear, but I don't care about that.

«Do it again,» I plead, my voice so low that it can barely be heard by me.

«Do what, Duchess?» he mutters, still kissing my skin.

I barely open my eyes and gaze at him for a moment before summing up the courage to say the words. More than courage, it's audacity.

«Mark me,» I whisper, while the tingling in my lower body intensifies.