Chapter 11 · The Lost Heir

"Look closely," I said, turning toward the open doorway. "Your commander still belongs to the woman he rejected."

Guards and council messengers packed the entrance, all of them waiting for a show.

I kept my hand pressed to Cassian's mark.

A murmur rolled through the chamber.

Cassian's fingers closed around my waist. Not rough. Not gentle. His body heat burned through my clothes as he leaned close, his breath brushing my ear.

"Take your hand off me before I forget we're surrounded."

"That's the first honest thing you've said all night."

"Mara."

I dragged my fingertips from his mark to the command seal beneath his collar. The metal was hot from his skin.

"Kneel."

The chamber went dead silent.

Cassian stared down at me. His grip tightened.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me."

I hooked two fingers beneath the seal and tugged him closer. His chest brushed mine. His eyes dropped to my mouth, then snapped back to my face.

"You want my tide?" I asked. "You want me to help you keep command? Then kneel and ask for it."

His jaw flexed.

"You don't understand what you're demanding."

"I understand perfectly." I smiled without warmth.