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I'll be his consort."
    Tor didn't hide his relationships with his children.
    They were an essential part of his life even if he couldn't be
    there physically.
    "Would you like that?" Cadin asked, taking on a
    serious note. "Do you like the king? How does Baroy feel
    about that?" There was a bit of tension in Cadin's voice
    when he mentioned Baroy. The children had mixed feelings
    about the dragon because it prevented them from spending
    time with their father.
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    "He'll be fine. He never had any problem with
    Larien." He avoided the question about Naron. He didn't
    want to discuss his conflicted feelings about the king.
    "That's true. Are you coming to visit soon?"
    Tor could hear the little boy coming out from the
    child who was trying so hard to be a man.
    "I'll see if I can visit once this consort business is
    finished."
    "What if you win the consort position?"
    Tor laughed. "It's not a prison. I can still come visit.
    I'll just bring the king with me."
    "Very well."
    That must've settled the matter for Cadin because he
    dropped the subject in order to discuss his studies, which
    were more interesting now with the new tutor—the one that
    liked mother—and the new neighbor's daughter, who was
    apparently "cute".
    After the children were done, he talked to Livia.
    "So I hear there might be a new man in the works."
    Her teasing tone made Tor blush. He could feel the redness
    rushing to his cheeks. Since they'd been childhood friends,
    there wasn't anything he wouldn't share with the only
    woman he loved. His mother had died when he was very
    young so Tor had no memory of her, and although he didn't
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    hold romantic love towards the mother of his children, she
    held a special place in his heart.
    "The king. Uncle entered me into a consort
    challenge."
    "And how are you doing?" He could tell from her
    teasing tone that she was enjoying this conversation a little
    too much for Tor's comfort.
    "I'm doing well enough, but I heard that you also
    have an admirer."
    "Those children talk too much," Livia said. Her tone
    was disgruntled but held no anger.
    "And how is your tutor?"
    "He's very pleasant and quite handsome, which I'm
    sure you found out before you sent him to me. What's up,
    Torrance?"
    "You've been alone too long, Liv. I want you to
    have some happiness."
    "And what about you? Aren't you entitled to
    happiness? Despite what our little seer said, do you think
    you'd enjoy being a consort? It would tie you down and you
    do enjoy your trips."
    "Like I told the kids, this isn't a life sentence. I can
    always leave."
    "Call me if you need anything. And I'll keep you
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    updated on news of the tutor."
    "It's a deal." Tor laughed and said goodnight.
    After he hung up, he remembered.
    "Blast! I forgot to play my violin for Lexy."
    "You can play her the song tomorrow," Dillon
    soothed. "Let's get you settled in for the night."
    Tor allowed his servants to undress him and put him
    in his silk pajama bottoms. He never wore a shirt to bed so
    it was a quick change before he was tucked into bed.
    As he drifted off to sleep, he heard his servants
    singing an old courting song.
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Chapter Four
    "Today we are going to identify minerals," Naron
    announced to the room at large. There was a long table with
    four seats and a covered mound placed on the table before
    each chair. "Please be seated, gentlemen."
    Lord Mell, Lord Gallywyn, and Sir Cant all sat,
    while Sally, looking at Tor in adoration, held out the chair
    for him.
    Did the man not have any ugly servants? For a man
    who was blind, Tor had stunningly beautiful servants.
    "It's important that my mate can identify the
    minerals from my kingdom. As part of your responsibilities
    you must be able to trade with monarchs from other nations
    and ambassadors from other worlds and know what you're
    talking about. This is a skill that can be taught, but it's
    important to know if you have a