Eirik's arms wrap around you gently as you settle onto his lap, his breath warm against your ear. “Are you okay?”

He pulls back slightly, just enough to meet your gaze, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “The King banished us to this small, dedcrepit palace because he thought I stole you from him.” A flicker of annoyance passes through his steel-gray eyes. “I can return you to him if you want.”