When he admitted that he was still angry with her she deflated inwardly, her embrace slackening slightly, uncertain how he might further react. That morning she had revealed her feelings to him. It had not been a proclamation of love, but she had voiced aloud that she wanted him, had all but confessed that despite all their philosophical differences that she cared for him beyond the obligation of their engagement. Luke had accepted her. They had slept together yet he had not put a voice or name to his thoughts. Because he had chosen to withhold it made her apprehensive for she did not quite know where she stood; sometimes he acted as if they were truly in a romantic relationship while other times he seemed to barely tolerate her presence. Limbo put her ill at ease. Rhiane was acutely aware that rejection could at any moment be coldly flung at her.

What he said next perplexed her. As the crown prince spun around she tried to make sense of how she might make it difficult for him to make 'the right choices.' The former farmer stared at him, blinking and uncomprehending, wondering if it was a criticism or compliment. He did not elaborate. It was he had that had come into the women's bath nude, who had dismissed Tobias, who had wanted to play a game in which they pretended to be other people. Perhaps he was referring to the tour event earlier, yet that had been a success, and it hardly seemed she had hindered him. She was fairly confident the evening news was singing its praises of the princess elect and her ability to charm everyone she met with her dazzling smile and astute observations. The sultry brunette was still pondering his odd declaration when he pulled her closer.

Eyes opened wide as he leaned and kissed her. She melted into his arms. It was said that actions spoke louder than words, and while she still yearned for the sweetness most couples vocalized, she was thrilled at his eagerness, and how he did not hesitate in pursuing her. The gesture pushed them back a step into the warmth of the water as she ardently returned the kiss. On the best of days they might be able to hide their growing attraction to one another. Today, however, the clear liquid in which they bathed did not obscure their nude figures. It would have been impossible to hide their desires. This was one of the many justifications she gave herself for indulging in the allure of the handsome blonde that had captivated her.

Luke pulled away and she stared. At first she thought he might be trying to find an excuse to leave, but the kiss to her forehead and subsequent sentences made it evident he had no such intention. Their arrangement was odd. Among all the engagements the crown had over the decades, she doubted that any had a magnetic push and pull dynamic quite like theirs. Rhiane had thought it was only she that was more enamored with him, despite their fights, but as he spoke she realized that she was not alone. To hear him say he wanted to kiss her even when he was furious, that he didn't want her to fight his battles for him, that she had nothing to prove was profoundly moving. He was for those precious seconds not a prince.

None of her dalliances had broached an emotional attachment. It was the first time anyone had told her they didn't need or want her to 'fight their battles for them.' Both her father and brother had been dependent on her. They relied on her to confront, to negotiate, to represent them in all but the most personal matters. The entire Black family had tempers but it was always up to her to reign in the figurative beast and assume control- regardless of whether or not she wanted a reprieve. More monumental was the assertion that she had nothing to prove. The queen had contracted her to elevate them in the public image, which inherently required her to prove her worth every hour in front of a camera, every day she was attached to the monarchy, every month she was allowed to live. A few errant tears formed at the edges of her eyes as she met his gaze. He had very casually provided her with a glimpse of approval she had spent over half her life seeking.

"Luke, I..." she began, but he had seized the opportunity to kiss her again. The force of their collision sent ripples through the pool. Rhiane abandoned all her thoughts as she let herself be swept into passion. They were alone, not even a bodyguard to eavesdrop, and there was no reason to stop. Everyone expected them to fall prey to these temptations; it was even encouraged. Candidates for the contest were told they'd be lucky to have the touch of a royal, and the royals were similarly told the candidates would be aesthetically pleasing and warm their beds if nothing else. Surely Queen Camilla herself knew that binding her eldest son to his fiancee could very well lead them into trysts, something she likely preferred over the scandalous headlines the playboy made regularly if for no other reason a proper heir must be produced.

Any chance they had of leaving the spring had been dashed. She was a fire whose flames had been stoked, her vigor returned, her skin increasingly hot, and its cause having nothing to do with their surroundings. They drifted back towards the edge of the pool, towards one of the steps that offered more support than the depths alone could. Now that he had incited the tempestuous woman he'd have to satisfy her before she'd even think to leave, much less retire, because the burst of energy demanded immediate use, and she saw only him.