Nemeris had come to him with a solution and Rachel had agreed. That was all there was to it.

Not buried wishes, not curious desire, not-

This was the least violent path to become king and do what he needed and wanted. Never mind he was one of two kings, united.

Never mind that Nemeris kept yielding sweetly to him, begging him, as if it was what he'd always wanted.

Rachel pushed it from his mind even as he buried a hand in Nemeris's hair.

All these years when they could have been closer.

This was what they were now.