Gabriel gets up and makes his way to the door.He cocks his head over his shoulder and stares me right in the eyes.“I think the real question is, what if you never ask?”
Chapter18
Penelope
Morrigan and Stirling are leaving for their official honeymoon today.They’re going to be gone for a few weeks, and it’s the first time I find myself a bit sad about my sister going off on her travels.
I stroll past her friends in the foyer and down the palace steps to their carriage.The sun is high, radiating warmth on my cheeks.It makes me wonder if Dahlia ever misses it, the sun, I mean.Which then reminds me of the afternoon we woke up and she nearly got burnt.Maybe she doesn’t miss it.The way she would talk about the night and the moon made me think she loves it the way I love the sun.
Mother is clearly flustered about something, as she flaps around Morrigan and Stirling.She gives them both a kiss, hugging them tight before hustling straight back up the steps, waving at me as she passes.
“Gotta rush, Pen, I have a council meeting.We’re opening the trade lines today.But I know how miserable you’ve been the last couple of weeks, maybe we should have dinner?”
“Sure, see you later, Mum,” I say as I make my way to their carriage.She’s right, I have been miserable.Nothing feels quite the same since the wedding.The palace is calm.Roman is gone for good and yet, I don’t know.
I’m just off.Out of sorts.Damn bored too, especially since Morrigan and I haven’t even bickered once.It’s probably just that.I loathe boredom.
Morrigan slides her case into the carriage and then turns to me.“Here,” she says and hands me our nana’s earrings.“It really did mean a lot to me.”
“I know.”I smile and slide them back in my pocket.
“I’ll give you a moment,” Stirling says, and gives me a quick squeeze before hauling her suitcase into the carriage, closing the door behind her.
Morrigan and I stare at each other not saying anything.It’s awkward.My cheeks heat.We’re not good at this, we only know how to quarrel.This is new territory, and I find myself fidgeting with my hands and toeing the cobbles.
“Oh my gods,” she huffs.“Come here.”
She grabs my shoulders and pulls me into a death grip of a hug.I laugh and then cough against her as she squeezes a bit too tight.
“I don’t like seeing you sad.”She strokes my hair.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m fine.”
“Really?Funny, I’d say you were fine before the wedding, and now you’re decidedly not fine.Almost like something is missing.”
I shrug against her.
When she releases me, it’s her turn to fidget.She dusts off her jacket and scratches her head before finally looking at me.“I wondered if maybe when we’re back, me and you can spend some time together?Like, real time?”
I smile.“I’d like that.It’s funny, but this morning I realised I might actually miss you while you’re away…”
She grins and opens the carriage door, stepping up and pausing.“Only might?”
I indicate the smallest amount between my thumb and index finger, and she just rolls her eyes at me.
What used to be nasty jabs at each other now feels like loving banter.She heads inside only to poke her head around the door and say, “I don’t know, Pen.I think you’ve found someone to entertain you just fine.”
She blows a kiss and shuts the carriage door.I replay her words, my brows knitting together.
“Wait.What?”I say.But she doesn’t open the door.
“Morrigan?”“What do you mean?”I bang on the carriage.
She pulls the curtain back and grins at me.Stirling’s head pops up behind her.She winks at me.
I glare at her, my brow furrowing as deep as the tunnels under the city.“What the fuck does that mean?”I shout through the window.
But the pair of them just grin harder.
