“This place is unfamiliar to me, my lord, and what you have asked of me doubly so. I have no idea what customs to follow. Even now, I wonder if I am sitting correctly, or if I am seated in the correct place- if I should be holding these this way, or that- what it is exactly I should call you, and how often-”

“Ah, Shion.” Kamui laughed. “Your thoughts are just as clumsy as all the rest of you.”

“You may find it difficult to believe, my lord, but it is not so in the presence of anyone else.”

“Indeed, I do believe it.” Caressing fingers stroked lightly at his cheek. Kamui sighed, leaning in to kiss his swollen face. “That is precisely why I adore it.”

The skin burned hot beneath his touch.

“This is your home now,” the daimyo murmured. “Do as you wish within these walls.”

“