Merrick sighed, looking at Juliana’s back. She lay on his bed. The room was his, but he’d been letting her sleep there. Now that she had pledged her body, he would not be staying away. He’d been up most of the night with Lord Kalen and his men. After the guests had left, they sat around talking, strategizing. The bonfire was abandoned. It was just a simple warning that Ean’s men had been there.

“You look uncomfortable.” Merrick motioned his hand, giving her a nightdress. Her gown changed to a loose-fitting silk chemise with sheer sleeves. She’d already taken off the jewels and he saw them on the table next to her toiletries.

She tensed, pushing up from the bed. “I’m tired of you doing that. I want to dress myself. I want to pick my own clothes. I’m tired of looking like a…” Juliana’s mouth worked as if she tripped over the words. “Like a woman of low morals.”

“I dress you in the materials of an elfin queen,” Merrick stated. As he lay down, his clothing disappeared, leaving him naked. His crown faded into nothingness. He rested on his back, folding his hands behind his head. “Whores have no need of clothing.”

Juliana’s mouth worked, as she eyed his naked body. He winked at her, smiling. Fighting the urge to laugh, she asked, “Are you…saying you’re a…?”

“Man of low morals?” he prompted. “Most definitely. It comes with the crown.”

Juliana giggled, covering her mouth. She hit him lightly on the arm. “I’m angry with you. Stop making me laugh.”

“What is it I have done now?” Merrick sighed. Would she never be pleased?

“That old woman tonight, the one with the missing eye. She said that you kidnapped me to start a war.”

He said nothing.

“So it is true?” she said.

Merrick reached for her. She was always so quick to think the worst in him. But could he blame her? Everyone expected the worst out of him. He’d long ago stopped explaining himself, knowing it would do no good. For some reason, even as he resolved to let her think what she would of him, he found himself saying, “A war has started because I’ve taken you. I did not take you to start a war.”

“Then why did you take me?” She moved closer to him. Her hair spilled over her shoulders in a messy array of curls. She’d taken it down on her own, but he found he liked the messy imperfection and did not change it.

“Kiss me,” he said instead of answering. He expected her to refuse, but she didn’t. Crawling over to him, she lightly brushed her lips onto his, making a soft noise as they touched.

“I shouldn’t want you,” she said. “I don’t want to want you.”

“I know.”

“You killed my intended.” Juliana didn’t open her eyes. Her hair spilled along his face. “You’ve tricked me and manipulated me.”

“Don’t look to the past. It will never bring you peace.” Merrick closed his eyes. His body was aroused, but that was nothing new. He was always aroused by her. Her smell surrounded him, so sweet, so soft. She was so beautiful, the one thing he enjoyed looking at in his world of goblins and trolls. “Touch me, Juliana. I want you to make love to me.”

Merrick wanted her to get used to him, wanted her to touch him when she had the urge to do so, to not hold back. Juliana feared her feelings for him. Humans were strange creatures when it came to passion. They treated it like a curse. How could something that felt so wonderful, so completing, be a curse?