Prior

Not long after Danna has gone to bed, Nika and Anders had made themselves scarce. Traitors. He thought. Caro looked at him and smiled widely.

“Don’t,” he said.

“You like her,” Caro teased, drawing out the word like as if sing songing. He rolled his eyes. “Not like you to hesitate, at least not lately.” She popped a nut into her mouth. He sighed.

“She’s been through enough, I don’t want to pressure her,” he said softly. She looked at him. “What can you tell me about Cole DePrentar?”

“He’s a louse,” she said gently. “His family didn’t exactly disown him, but no one was upset when he took off for Westran and no one heard from him.” Prior sighed. “They were involved?”

“She was living with him,” he said, “he was,” he exhaled, “not good to her.” She raised an eyebrow.

“Not good as in how Tristan and I used to be not good to one another,” she said, or not good how your uncle is not good to Lady Morgan, and you and Evan.” He downed his wine.

“The latter,” he muttered. She sighed.

“Does she know you have first hand experience with such mistreatment,” she said. He shook his head. “I see.”

“I don’t want to push her.” He whispered. “I want her, I do, she’s incredible, Caro, but I don’t want,” he shook his head.

“She’s not Annalise, Prior,” Caro said softly. He looked at her. “Come to her on an even playing field, don’t act as though her world is so much bigger than yours.” He ran his hands through his hair.

“You’re not wrong,” he said. “But I still don’t want her thinking that I’ll discard her if she makes a different choice. We need her. She brings the dragons.”

“That’s true,” Caro leaned back. Carolina Dugarry had a deep well of love and caring in her soul. But she was also a ruthless strategic thinker. Sentimentality could always be set aside for the goal. She was merchant down to her bones, that way, there was always a price, sometimes the price was too dear, and she would walk away, but she could always find the price. “We just want you to be happy, settled.” He grinned.

“Like you’re settled?” He asked. She rolled her eyes. “Where is your husband, my lady?”

“Well, fine,” she threw her hands up. “I’m a poor example. Still, you deserve some layer of happiness.” He laughed and stood up and kissed her forehead.

“Thank you for caring about me, Caro,” he muttered. She smiled gently at him. He got up and went to the room attached to the parlor and got ready for bed. After a little while, the door creaked opened and Danna walked inside.

“Danna?” He asked gently. She walked over sat down on the bed and kissed him gently. “What are you doing here?” She raised an eyebrow at him.

“What do you think?” She whispered. They kissed again and he pulled her close. “I want you. I know you want me too,” she said. Gods, he really did. “Tell me what to do.” His hands slid down the rough material of her dress.

“Danna,” he whispered and they walked back to the cot and tumbled back, entwined. He slid his hands up her thighs. No underthings, she’d known her business. “You’re so beautiful,” he kissed her again.

“Tell me,” she whimpered, “I’ll do anything. Anything,” he groaned and pulled her dress over her head. He kissed her neck, her chest, took a soft nipple into his mouth and suckled. “Ooh,” she mewled and arched her back. He slid a finger against her sex. “Yes,” her hand went to his and guided it. “Play with me.” 

“You like to talk, hm?” He teased as he fingered her, one, two, swirling, railing. Hot and wet and soft.

“Yes,” she moaned. “It feels so good, Prior, oh.” She exhaled. 

“You’re soft,” he whispered in her ear. “And so wet, Danna, love,” she was grinding against him. “You said you’d do anything, hm?”

“Yes, anything,” she whimpered. “Oh your hands feel so good,” she moaned. “Tell me, I’ll do it.” He took his hand away. 

“Undress me,” he said, she smiled, “and tell me how it feels, how I feel.” He’d been with a handful of women, probably less than most people thought. But it was Annalise who’d been obsessed with his body. There had been nights where she’d simply stroked him all over, her fingers memorizing him. He wanted that again. She slid her hands under his shirt, and then over his chest.

“Gods,” she murmured, “so smooth,” he grinned, “and hard. Is all of you like this?” She pressed a kiss against his chest. She slid her hands to his pants and then pushed them down. “Oh,” she exhaled. And slid her hands down his thighs and then across his penis, which was hard, and throbbing. “You are.” He exhaled. “Fuck me now, please.” He knew up and spead her legs and thrust into her. “Yes,” she exhaled.

“Yes, right there,” she threw her head back as he thrust into her. “Oh gods, please don’t stop,” he kissed her. 

“So talkative,” he mumbled. She giggled. Eventually pleasure took them both and they collapsed in satisfied ecstasy. “Danna,” he murmured. 

“You’re incredible,” she whispered. He exhaled and pulled her close. She curled into him.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” he said and kissed her again.She laughed, and slipped her hand against a scar on his back.

“Are these from fighting?” It was time to have the conversation, he supposed.

“Some,” he mumbled. She nodded. “Others are from my uncle, growing up.” She looked at him, rolling on her side. “He had a temper, and I was willful.” She pushed his hair off his face. “My cousin got it worse, honestly. We left as soon as we could, and my aunt,” he shook his head. “It wasn’t a happy childhood.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, “but I do understand it.” He nodded.

“I know that,” he said softly. She kissed him. “Will you want this in the morning?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I want it now, though.” He nodded and held her tightly. He had to take what he could.