During the night, I have a dream about my Duke.

He's just fifteen, a few months after his parents died. He's alone, in Stoneyard, and can't step out nor receive visits.

Nothing particular happens, but he's hurting. His heart aches, and he's alone.

The Countess isn't anywhere to be seen. The Princess is far, in the capital. There isn't even Pericle, his loyal aide.

I can bear to relive all of this only because I know that, this time, it's different. My Duke managed to transform his life for the better. I can't resent him for choosing to change everything if this is how he felt the first time.

He observes the papers with Kyre's accounts without understanding a thing. His eyes scan the numbers and lose the various signs of treason, embezzlement or frauds. He doesn't know how wicked bureaucrats can be.

He's just a teenager, alone in an enormous castle.

Even Stoneyard is different: it's gloomy and almost inhabited.

There aren't many servants. I guess my Duke got rid of them when he stopped believing in anyone. His will is firm: he wants control over his fief, and he's going to get it.

But at what cost? Will I ever be able to see how he lived before being sent to me in Polis?

Waking up feels like drinking some water after a long period without a drop.

Alexander's arms are surrounding me, as usual, and his face is sinking in my chest. His breath tickles me, and his hair brushes on my shoulder when I free my right arm from his clutch. I use it to make him lie more comfortably while my left hand caresses his hair.

I won't let anyone hurt him the way they did the first time.

He had just found some peace at my court when it all ended in fire and blood.

The next hour or so is spent playing with my Duke's hair. Regardless of how late we got into bed, I woke up at dawn. Still, Alexander must be very tired, so I don't disturb his sleep.

He will need all his energy to cope with me today.

I can't keep so many fronts open, so I better get rid of that Elisabeth by the end of the Count's stay. Which will be short. He said he would stay here a few days, but he'll run away in fear tomorrow morning.

«You should really learn how to sleep more,» Alexander comments against my chest.

He's awake yet not showing any intention to move an inch further. He even sinks his nose between my breasts and tightens his embrace.

He releases me with reluctance only a few seconds later.

«Oh, but I already sleep a lot,» I chuckle. «For example, today, I won't get up until very, very late.»

«Are you planning to make the Count think that you're a spoiled, lazy Lady?»

«No, I want him to think that the Lord can't part from me, so there's no way he'll succeed at putting his beloved daughter in between.»

«Are you jealous?» he inquires, suddenly attentive.

«No, I'm not.»

«I think you should be, though. Who knows what might happen? You better remind me that a wife is better than any other combination of lovers.»

After saying something so dumb, he stares at me with his solemn expression, waiting for my supposed reaction. He looks so serious, no matter how stupid his strategy sounds.

Does he really think I'll react like during our first days of marriage? Oh, well, he might be right.

I grab his shirt and pull him up. As expected, my Duke is immediately awake and ready, and he frees me from his arms.

Our lips meet, and I push him down. He lets me press him on the mattress, thinking I'm following his suggestion.

When I'm sure he's lowered his guard, I split from him and leave light pecks on his chin, slipping down on his neck. I lick his skin playfully, and he bends his head to the side, letting me reach the hollow between his neck and shoulder.

When I find a soft spot to my taste, I sink my teeth until I hear a complaint.

«What is this for, now?» Alexander moans. «I was just kidding...»

Instead of stopping my harassing and soothing his pain, I move a centimetre lower and bite him again. His skin is not as delicate as mine, but it's nice to feel the way his muscles twitch under my lips every time I press more than his tolerance to pain allows.

Oh, I'd pass hours bullying him just to see his sulking face.

I'm starting to understand why he likes to bite me so much, even though his teeth don't usually leave their stamp. Just light bruises that soon disappear.

«Why are you angry?» he asks when I can finally look at his desperate face. Even if he doesn't like being bitten, not even one bit, he lets me do it and just complains like a nagging wife.

Would he let me bite him again if I tried?

«I'm not angry,» I point out. «Just a tyrant.»

«Tyrant wife?» he mutters, tilting his head on the pillow. He observes me for a moment or two and then nods to himself.

He grabs my hands and flips me down, blocking me between his arms and knees, but without pressing his weight on me. He blocks my wrists on the mattress and grins, listing all the bad things he wants to do in his dark mind.

I just lost my chance to bully my hubby. I'll have to postpone this activity for another time. When he's in the mood to let me.

When his priorities are in order, he makes me turn and blocks my wrists behind my back. Mhm, this is new.

He bites my buttock through the nightgown, but the cloth isn't enough to smooth his sharp fangs. A moan escapes from my throat, but I don't dare to complain out loud. It's not pain, just the usual electricity that crosses my spine every time he does something similar.

Alexander's clutch on my wrists disappears as he pecks my back while moving up, reaching my neck rather quickly.

«Wait, don't leave signs...» I whisper, but my head is already bowed, and my eyes closed, waiting for his sweet torture.

«You don't sound convincing,» he whispers in my ear and then licks my lobe. «But I'm a merciful husband, so I won't bite you again. I'll just overlook your second bite. What do you think?»

«You don't sound so merciful.»

«It's your tyrannical brain that can't hear it, my dear...»

His fingers caress my waist and hip, moving down and drawing figures on me. His breath hits my ear and neck, and his tongue tickles my nerves.

I wasn't planning it, but I should have figured it would have ended this way.

I lean my weight on my elbows and try getting up, but my back hits Alexander's chest. I bounce back and realise that I can't move from here without his complicity. I'm cornered.

Not that I want to go far, though.

«What do you want to do?» I inquire, trying to see Alexander's face. But I can't turn my head enough to spot him.

«What do you want me to do?» he chuckles. «You should be grateful that I let go of my grudge, wife. Not complaining about every single...»

I somehow manage to turn on my back and finally see him.

«I'm not complaining, husband! I just wanted to look at you.»

His cunning face disappears, and he returns my gaze with a dumbfounded expression.

«Again,» he whispers, lying next to me and freeing me.

Only his arm under my head, when he hugs me, prevents me from running away. Even his alluring grin has disappeared, leaving space for a beautiful, gentle smile.

«Say it again.» His voice is firm; it does sound like an order. But his eyes are shining, and his lips are curled.

«I wanted to look at you,» I mutter while rolling my eyes.

Alexander pecks my cheek and temple. His free hand plays with my hair.

Maybe, it's not an order. What if he's only too fierce? What if he's just not good at asking nicely?

«Not that, the other thing,» he complains while leaning his head on my shoulder. He peeks at me from under his eyelashes, not daring to do anything else but wait for my decision.

I would say it, really. But I don't want him to break again...

«Please,» he whispers.

Oh, well...

«Husband!»

His smile is the brightest ever seen. A single word is enough to transform my cruel Duke into an idiot, isn't it?

It might come in handy one day. Who knows?

«Hubby,» I try. I peck his lips with a noisy smack.

I have to stay here a few hours more, it's better to find something to do for all this time.

«Husband!» I repeat. My tongue tingles every time I say it, but I should use this chance to train.

One day, it will flow as naturally as saying Xander felt normal to Queen Theodora.