The Stench of Blood

"You shouldn't have gone to her," Alim frowned at his king and handed him the small silver cigar case which the latter rejected with a brief motion of his hand. 

Alim exchanged glances with Gian who only shrugged his tattooed shoulders, offering his friend a confused expression. 

Rhaegar crossed his arms before his chest and sighed. "I could not wait it out and it would have been wrong to ask someone else for help. Even after our first night together, I knew that nothing would work for my pain anymore."

"Well, it makes sense since she is your mate," Gian agreed with a sigh of his own, brushing his long curly hair backward. "Still, you should have gone to Naveen instead. The princess is too fragile for you and getting involved with her like this... can only bring you both more trouble."

"Did you mark her?" Alim's sudden question made Rhaegar wince a little and he rolled his eyes as his aide seemed to know the answer already.