The disbelief in his voice made her cringe. Trianna had seen twenty-five cycles. Well past time to have lain with a man.

"Does this bother you, Highness?" she asked.

"Trianna, why didn't you tell me?"

"I just did."

He heaved a sigh. "By the gods."

"I am sorry I offended you." Her backbone melted and she shrank away from him. But in her small cell, there wasn't anywhere to go but against the wall.

"I am not offended, just...taken aback. If I punish you in this way, you might be jaded against being with a man."

"Only because I have experienced the touch of the Scarab Prince. I imagine no one else's could compare."

Suddenly, Qadir took her hands and yanked her off the cot until she fell against him with a cry. He was tall, but she was able to see the emotion raging in his eyes. His palms wandered to her ass, where he deftly cupped her, lifting her higher against him.

"How do you know you will feel pleasure, princess?"

"Because every time you touch me, I rejoice."

With a primal growl, Qadir backed her against the bars and pressed his body against her.

"You are provoking me." His lips were close, so very close to hers. The puff of his warm breath had her clit begging for his touch. The moment his knee came between her legs, she gasped loudly, reveling in the contact.

"I am merely being honest," she countered, shocked at how wet she was. Her hands itched to fly into his hair. "May I touch you?"

"No." His word was more of a sharp bark than a spoken command.

"Please?"

"No," he repeated, breathless. "Put your hands above your head."

Trianna knit her brows, but did as he said.

"Hold the bars."

Her hands grasped the bars as she stared into his handsome face, so close to hers. If she just leaned forward...

Their lips barely touched before Qadir yanked away roughly. His countenance was harsh, and she had a suspicion he wasn't as calm as he appeared.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I apologize, my prince," she whispered.

"Touching me includes my mouth."

"I had to do it."

"Why?"

"Because I had to know if you tasted the same as I remember."

He arched a brow. "You must be punished for disobeying me."

"Kiss me first, Scarab. Then punish me," she pleaded.

He mulled her words for a mere fraction of a second before his mouth took hers in a rough kiss. Trianna squealed at his assault, but didn't release his lips before his tongue stabbed into mouth, demanding her submission.