"The historical literature—and I want to emphasize this is extremely rare, only documented in two other cases in the past four centuries—describes the management method as... intimate physical contact."
"Define intimate."
The word landed in the room like a stone in still water.
Ken's posture, already rigid, became somehow more rigid. His ears pressed flat against his skull. Marcus turned her head slightly toward the wall.
Demerti appeared to be having a small internal crisis.
Cullens finally looked directly at her.
"Sex, Your Highness."
The word sat in the silence.
Elara looked at him.
He looked back, expression a combination of professional detachment and personal mortification.
