Page 170 of The Crown’s Temptation

I leaned back and stared at him. "You did not."

"You are not even blushing."

"My husband does worse, I can assure you," I said. Thinking of last night.

He turned to me. "Part of me is intrigued, part of me would rather not know."

"Intrigued?" I said with my eyebrow arched.

"Aye. Colsar was not known for being pleasant or fun. Heard he makes his women wash him afterwards. Cannot imagine him with his fingers in his mouth."

"He puts far more than that in his mouth. And enjoys it."

"And you?"

"If you must know. I put lots of him in my mouth."

"And?"

I leaned in. "I do not waste a drop," I said in his ear.

He drew in a breath.

Then I pulled back and began walking backwards, my arms spread outward. "Is there not a room of maps and stones that a captain uses?"

"Aye. But you are going the wrong way, which is exactly why this deathquest will likely be a disaster."

"At least it will be interesting," I said, following him below deck. "I am far more interesting to look at than Elsan and Forsamin."

"Perhaps," he said with a sigh, opening the door and ushering me inside. "Your room of maps and stones, princess."

"I am certain it has a more official title than that."

"Aye. But yours is better."

I laughed and stood over the map table.

"Let us begin, Duke Eravic."

"Princess—"

"Earl Eravic. Captain of the Blue.”

"Oh for fuck's sake⁠—"

He reached down and lifted a stone.

"You would not."

"I absolutely would. You saw I did not defend you when Forsamin came for you."

"I did not need defending. I won."

He tilted his head.

"I certainly won," I added, offended.

He cleared his throat.