Thorne stepped into the room; it was nearly 3 am in the morning, and he was just getting back from patrols. He was bone tired, and the only thing on his mind was coming back to Adina. On his way to his quarters, he stopped by her room, thinking she would be there since she somehow wouldn't stop staying there… surprisingly for him, she wasn't. When he stepped into the room, he paused in his steps, smiling to himself.

Looks like he wasn't the only one who had been missing the other. Right on the king-sized bed was Adina, wearing one of his clothes while she slept.

Her hair was all tousled from the many times she'd tossed and turned. She was a 'turning' sleeper.

He gently kicked off his boots and shrugged off his jacket, not wanting to wake her. He stepped closer, only to pause when he smelled it. Somehow, her scent had gotten even stronger. It was messing with his head at this point, making him act like a rabid wolf in rut. All he wanted to do was shove his nose right into her neck where her scent was more potent. He had no idea it was this intoxicating for him, nor did he want to tell her or anyone else just how much her scent affected him.

He feared he was teetering on obsession.

Adina moaned slightly, her eyes peering open. "S'you," she said groggily, clearly still heavy with sleep. She stretched her arms up, calling to him.

Who was Thorne to hold back for even a second? He got right into bed with her, pulling her body into his. She was so warm and soft. "Missed you," she mumbled.

"Sssh… Go back to sleep," he whispered, kissing her cheek softly and then to her ear and neck. Her breathing evened out, and he assumed she was asleep again. He pressed his face against her neck, inhaling her scent like it was some sweet potion he couldn't do without.

Adina stirred again, blinking slowly when she felt his tongue on her skin. "Thorne… What are you doing?" she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

He didn't reply, still nipping at her skin. She tilted her head sideways, making way for more access. "Don't… don't leave marks this time, okay?" she mumbled and went back to sleep.

Thorne smirked against her neck, clearly taking her sleepy warning as a challenge. He sank his teeth just lightly enough to leave the faintest mark.

"Thorne," she mumbled, not even opening her eyes.

"Shh…" he murmured, brushing his mouth over the spot as if to soothe it. "Go back to sleep."

Like his voice was laced with a command, she did just that.

The sunlight peeked in through the curtains. Adina opened her eyes, blinking the blurry lines back a few times then looked to her side.

Thorne was still asleep, his brows pulled together, clearly disturbed by the sun that flickered across his face. Adina stood up and pulled the curtains shut. She smiled once his expression relaxed and got to preparing for the day.

She froze in her steps, her eyes catching her reflection in the mirror far off the wall. "Oh gods." She walked to the mirror, tugging down the collar of his oversized shirt. Sure enough, a dark mark sat high on her neck, obvious and smug-looking.

"Thorne!" she whined loudly, looking over her shoulder. He was still sprawled in bed, one arm thrown over his face, looking far too pleased with himself for someone who was supposed to be asleep.

"Morning," he drawled lazily.

She walked over to him, pouting. "Thessara's going to chew me out today."

Thorne said nothing; instead, he grabbed her outstretched hand and pulled her to him. She fell on top of him, and he caged her in. "Who cares what that old mean woman says? I say it looks beautiful on your skin, but if you personally do not want me to…" He raised his brows at this. "Then I won't… Do you want me to or not?" He asked in a very clear voice.

"Thessara is not mean," Adina grumbled out instead.

"That wasn't the question."

Adina bit her lip, looking anywhere but at him. "That's not fair. You can't just—just ask me like that first thing in the morning."

"Why not?" Thorne murmured, clearly teasing her. His fingers traced circles on her waist, holding her just tightly enough that she couldn't wriggle away without some serious effort. "Seems like a simple yes or no to me."

Adina narrowed her eyes, her cheeks heated up. "You're impossible."

"That's not a no." His grin widened.

"Your majesty!" She smacked his shoulder lightly, but he only laughed, catching her wrist before she could hit him again.

"Careful," he said, pulling her down so her nose brushed his. "Or I'll leave another one just to prove the point."

She gasped in mock outrage. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." He dipped his head as if he might do exactly that, and she squealed, squirming against him, which only made him laugh harder.

"Stop! I'm serious!" she whined, breathless from giggling. "You're going to get me murdered."

"Thessara doesn't scare me," Thorne said, completely unbothered. He kissed her softly against her cheek, then another along her jaw, his voice soft. "I only care if it bothers you. Does it?"

Adina stilled at that, meeting his gaze. He didn't look like he was teasing her anymore. His eyes were genuine.

She smiled. "No," she admitted sheepishly. "I… I like it."

"Good." His smile softened too, not as cocky this time. He kissed her temple, lingering there for a moment before letting her go. "Then let Thessara talk all she wants. She'll get used to it." He paused, brows raised. "By the way, what are you always doing with Thessara?"

Adina stiffened, and he did feel her stiffen but didn't say anything. Instead, he waited for her to speak. "I just help out," she blurted out instead.

"Help out?"

"T-the healing… I'm seeing if I can learn," she settled on. She was doing just a terrible job of lying, and she knew he knew she was lying. She just… couldn't tell him what she was doing, not until she had it all figured out yet.

Please believe me.

"Okay," Thorne replied, kissing her forehead again. "I have to leave soon. There are a lot of meetings and meetings I need to attend."

Adina nodded, staying with him for a bit longer until he eventually had to leave. Once he was out of the room, she sat up and started preparing for her third day of training with Thessara.

Her lies gnawing at her… but she couldn't retract it now. She just had to see it through. It'll be a surprise. She settled on. A good surprise for him when he learns of what she is and sees what she can do. It'll be a surprise.

She had just finished pulling her hair back when a knock sounded at the door. Adina paused, brows furrowed.

"My lady?" a soft voice called. "Lady Jocelyn asked me to bring you to her quarters. She fears you might lose your way."

Adina's heart sank straight to her shoes. Tea. So Jocelyn hadn't just said it in passing yesterday.

She schooled her expression and opened the door. A young maid stood there, head bowed slightly, hands folded primly in front of her apron.

"Oh… right," Adina said, forcing a smile on her face. "I, uh, I hadn't forgotten." A lie. She had been hoping the whole thing would vanish on its own.

Adina glanced at herself. "One second," she muttered, darting back to pick a scarf. She found one, twisted it around her neck to cover the mark Thorne left.

She took one last calming breath and opened the door again.

"Lead the way."