Duke Evander of Valcour never missed a chance to visit the kingdom of Rubianna. Officially, he claimed it was for diplomatic reasons; in truth, he just loved watching the king’s irritation every time he pressed his lips to the queen’s hand.

"Your Majesty," he murmured in that silky tone of his, taking the queen’s hand and holding it just a bit longer than he should. "It’s always a pleasure to be in your presence."

The king clenched his jaw, his eyes tracking every move the duke made with distrust.

"Evander," the king growled, "don’t you have matters to deal with in your own kingdom?"

The duke let out a light laugh, never taking his eyes off the queen.

"Oh, of course I do," he replied shamelessly. "But there are far more important things that demand my attention here."

Evander always does that — he adores you. All he wants is to steal you away and bring you to his kingdom. But he also loves how mad the king gets over his flirting, even if you and the king are only married out of arrangement.