Dorian woke early. To his surprise, he found himself lying on his back, facing Leonie, her face resting on his chest and one of her legs draped across his hip. His breath caught in his lungs and he swallowed hard. He could practically feel the heat radiating from her thigh. His heart started to pound faster; it was a miracle she didn't wake to the thunder of it.
He had to admit, it had been a very long time since he'd had an intimate relationship with anyone—maybe that was why his body reacted so instantly to Leonie's nearness. Or because he truly had started to grow attached to her. He closed his eyes and tried to take slow, deep breaths to calm himself. The last thing he needed was for Leonie to wake to find him wanting her. That would probably scare the life out of her—especially the part of him that currently reacted the most.
Leonie must have sensed that Dorian was awake, because with soft little whimpers she started to shift and wriggle in her sleep. Dorian let out a barely audible groan and, in his head, swore violently as desire flared through his entire body. He had to get out from under her right now, or he'd end up doing something that would drive an unbridgeable wedge between them. And what he needed most at this point was exactly that: a thick wedge between him and Leonie's soft, shapely, tempting body.
He could show her so many things, give her so much pleasure… teach her that the meeting of bodies wasn't meant to be filled with pain, but with pure delight and decadence…
Panic rising, he slid out from under the sleeping girl and slipped away, fast and silent, disappearing among the trees at the edge of the camp. He didn't stop until he reached a tree and leaned against its trunk, pressing his forehead to his forearm.
"It seems your morning isn't off to an easy start," came Marcus's cheerful voice behind him.
Dorian exhaled sharply, but didn't turn around. The last thing he needed was Marcus's pointed remarks.
"Now is not a good time," he growled, frustrated.
"I can see that." Marcus didn't sound remotely deterred. He strolled over and leaned his shoulder against the same tree.
"I've never been a great believer in abstinence. I can't wait to get home and pay a visit to Anee. I'm sure she'd be delighted if you joined us," he added with a grin and a raised eyebrow. Dorian said nothing.
"But of course you won't, because you want Leonie." Marcus finished the thought in that infuriatingly wise tone of his.
"I don't think it matters what I want," Dorian sighed, straightening and looking at his friend with tense features.
"You're our king. Only what you want matters," Marcus joked, but the humor clearly didn't land, so he heaved a resigned sigh.
"Maybe you should ask Leonie what she thinks. I don't believe you're the only one allowed to decide what kind of fate you choose for the two of you." He pushed off from the tree and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Besides, I doubt there's a woman alive who'd say no to you. No offense, not because of your romantic nature, obviously."
Dorian snorted. Marcus wasn't wrong. Ever since Elora's death, he'd only used women for relief. He'd never been disrespectful, but he hadn't exactly been tender either. And the women hadn't lined up at his bedchamber door for romance anyway—they'd come for the king, each for their own reasons.
But Leonie was different. Yes, he wanted her in his bed, but he wanted much more than that. He wanted everything she could give. Her body and her soul. Her thoughts, her desires, her hopes…
"She needs time to breathe. She's only just escaped the baron's claws," he muttered—or maybe he was the one who needed time, to figure out how not to ruin this.
"I think what she really needs is protection—so your father's court doesn't tear her apart," Marcus shrugged.
"What are you two chatting about?" Nir appeared out of nowhere, and Dorian rolled his eyes. He had only wanted a single quiet moment to himself.
"Who needs protection? Leonie?" Nir asked, curious as ever.
"Yes. I was just explaining to Dorian that an elf raised among humans would be torn to pieces at court, but no one would dare lay a finger on the king's partner."
"His partner?" Nir's mouth dropped open. "Are you two together?" he asked in disbelief.
"No." Dorian cut in, annoyed. "Marcus is just running his mouth again." He shot his friend a murderous look. "And I don't want to hear another word on the subject."
Grumbling, he left them standing there. Marcus and Nir exchanged a knowing grin, then followed him back to camp.