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find your strength once again to dance. I would be honored if you would permit me to lead you around the floor for a tune, or two.” He hooked her arm with his and tried to steer her back to the open floor of the hall. She pulled back. “I don’t wish to insult you, My Lord, but I don’t wish to dance with you, and I do not feel well enough even if I did.”
    He leaned over so that he could get close enough to whisper in her ear. “There are some who think that you are just a tease. A woman who will lure men in with her charms and then push them away once they are ready to satisfy you. I think that you just haven’t had the touch of the right man yet. You will not be able to hide behind your skirts forever, Melenthia. Soon they will be pushed up and someone will have you, whether you want it or not. Teasing only causes men to get angry, and someone, one of these days, will take what they want. You have been unspoiled for too long. I imagine you are getting hot now, just by me talking about it.” He moved his hand between her legs, the layered skirts of her dress the only protection from his touch. He moved his other hand down her arm and slid it toward her waist. He swung it around her body and pulled her in to him and held tight so that she could not get away. “Can you feel it? I want you in the worst way. I’m already, just being next to you, starting to feel the heat rise in me. I could take you here and now if we were not in public. Maybe I should accompany you upstairs to your chamber and take away whatever ills you might be feeling. I think your fever is your desperate need to have a man satisfy you.”
    She moved her free hand and slapped him. He backed away, but only a little, then grabbed her again by the arm, this time hurting her.
    “Don’t tease me, Your Highness. I don’t like it.”
    “You came on to me when I only wished to retire for the evening, by myself.”
    He squeezed harder, pressing his leg up against her.
    “Let go. You’re hurting me.”
    “I will have you, Melenthia, one way or another. You can either give yourself willingly to me, or I will just take you. It’s your choice of course, but willingly will get you the least hurt.”
    Kevaan glanced her way from across the room. He saw the look on her face and the one on Fallon’s. He excused himself from the conversation he was having and came over to her quickly, now trapped in the doorway by Fallon’s body. He placed a firm hand on Fallon’s shoulder and leaned in. “Is there something going on here I should know about?”
    “No. This is a conversation between me and Melenthia. It doesn’t concern you, Kevaan.”
    “It does if your conversation becomes threatening to my sister.”
    “Do you feel threatened, Melenthia?” he asked her, giving her a warning glare and pressing his leg further against her.
    “Just a bit uncomfortable, My Lord. I’m sure you mean no harm.”
    Fallon released his pressure on her leg. “Of course not.” He looked at Kevaan. “See, Your Highness, she’s fine.”
    Kevaan looked at his sister. She had an unreadable face, but he knew her too well. He asked her casually, if only to steer the conversation back to a less menacing tone. “Where are you off to, Melenthia?”
    “I don’t feel very well this evening. I’m just a bit woozy. I’m sure it’s nothing. Probably from the excitement of the evening.”
    “Well, why don’t you go upstairs and lie down. I’ll give father your apologies.”
    “Thank you, Kevaan, I will do so. Good night.” She curtsied to Fallon. “Your Grace.”
    Fallon let go of her completely and allowed her to pass, leering at her until she disappeared around the corner. He turned to Kevaan again, seething.
    “Do not interfere in my business again, Kevaan.
    “I will interfere again if you forget your manners a second time.”
    “You cannot threaten me.”
    “Not a threat, a warning. Where my sister is concerned, I will interfere all I like until you get the