“I—”

“Alexeika, forgive yourself. No one blames you for concealing the Ring as long as you did. I do not.”

She frowned. “Your majesty is too kind. Too softhearted. Everyone here will take advantage of you—” “Nay,” he said, stepping closer. “There is only one person at court who can do that.”

Her head jerked up, and she grew visibly flustered. “You flirt with me now only because she has gone! If you love her, go after her.” “Do you mean that?”

Biting her lip, she turned away. “I care nothing about Lady Pheresa, but I would see your grace happy no matter the cost.”

“Ah,” he said with a smile. “Then my happiness is here, for I do not love the lady.”

Her eyes flashed to his. “Of course you do. You said so many times.”

He shrugged. “Things that once seemed very important to me now appear less so.

Others that I failed to value at first have become quite precious.” Her gaze penetrated his, as though desperate to know the truth. “How could your majesty change heart so suddenly? You are not a whimsical or capricious man.” “No, I am not. But I looked at her this morning, and knew she was not the one I want forever with me. I think the change has been taking root in me for several weeks.”

“But why, sire? She’s all you’ve ever dreamed about. She’s your first love, your ideal of all that’s best in a woman. Sir Thum told me—” She broke off suddenly and blushed red. “Forgive me,” she said in apology. “I have no business questioning your majesty about anything.”

“But I like your questions. And your honesty. Not always your scolding or meddling or arguing, mind, but I like a good, rousing discussion.” “And for this reason you rejected the niece of King Verence?” Alexeika asked in astonishment. “Does your majesty not understand how tremendous an alliance this would be, the union of Nether and Mandria? You could use her dowry to rebuild your treasury. Think of the opportunity.”

“Hush,” he said. “I’ve heard that before. The opportunity I want is right here.”

Without warning, he pulled her into his arms. Ah, he thought in satisfaction.  Here was a woman sturdy enough to hold tight. Alexeika might be slender in the right places, but there was nothing fragile or delicate about her.  She yelped in surprise, and her face flamed red as she pushed with all her might against his chest. “What are you doing! King or not, you’ve no right to take liberties!”

“I haven’t taken them yet,” he said. “But I shall if you don’t grant me any.” She stamped down hard on his foot, making him flinch, and twisted free. She whirled around in a billow of skirts and hurried away toward the door.  Laughing, Dain hobbled after her. “Alexeika!” he called. “Wait!” She halted in the center of the room with her back to him. “You little she-cat,” he said, catching up to her, “don’t you understand anything? I love you.” “You can’t. You don’t!”

“Ah, but I do.” He put his arms around her gently, not to startle or capture her, but to caress her.

She turned to face him, pushing again at his chest, but this time without much determination. “I’m a knight,” she said with loathing. “A comrade-at-arms. A horse thief. A warrior-maid.”

“All those things,” he agreed, smiling at her. “Although you must promise to stop thieving horses. I cannot permit my queen to do that.” Her eyes flew open wide, and she gasped. “Your queen?” “My queen,” he said. “To rule at my side. To give me dispute rather than gentle compliance. To have courage equal to my own. Alexeika, I would rather love a woman who has the passion to make mistakes, just as I make them, and the honesty to admit them afterwards, as I hope I will always do, than to spend my life with someone docile and dull.”

A wicked little light gleamed in her eyes. “Dull?” she echoed. “You think Lady Pheresa is dull?”

“Compared to you, aye,” he said with conviction. “Do you love me, Alexeika?” She trembled in his arms, looking shy, and nodded as though her voice had left her. All her heart shone in her eyes. And he kissed her.