"That depends," Domitian replied levelly. The steam from his tea spiraled up lazily from the cup in his hands. He shifted his gaze to meet Bellona's eyes as he continued. "On my initial question. What do you want?"

Hopefully she would sense his meaning and not respond with something obvious and shallow, such as to marry. He was far more interested in what she wanted after that, and intended to do what he could to see her secure it. He had failed Camilla in that regard, he suspected — she may have gotten what she'd professed to want, but he was still sure she didn't fully comprehend the consequences of her choice, and wouldn't until she lived them.

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