I feigned a sigh as we departed from the guest room. “It’s a shame our work might go unappreciated then. It’d be even better iftwopeople enjoyed it.”
The insinuating impropriety made her gasp aloud, and she smacked my arm, all while adorning that glowing smile. “That would be too scandalous.”
“Oh, and straddling him in a tent wasn’t?”
“Nora!” Her hand was over my mouth before I could blink as she gazed around to see if any guards or staff were in earshot.
My smile was as big as the moon. I took her hand in mine. “You know you have no one to impress, right? In my reign, those persnickety rules of society will crumble. Too much judgment passes among the upper class, it’s time we rattle their cages.” We continued walking hand in hand through the elegant hallways.
Melody’s cheery demeanor dimmed. “Nora, as much as I wish that were true, you’re too new in your reign to be that radical. Flagrant disregard for society and their expectations will only make it more difficult to accomplish the things you want to—the things youneedto.”
I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. “You sound just like Ricks.” It became almost routine for me to suffer Ricks redirecting my plans to align with something more “proper”. He loved that word. I’d debated calling a clergy member to perform a marriage ceremony. Invitations to the nuptials of Herschel Rickson and the word “proper”. Talk about rattling society. While I’d proven to win battles in the past, it seemed he usually came out the victor, unfortunately.
Insecurities about my position or belonging in this role still ran rampant, and I wouldn’t be too proud to admit that having Ricks’ guiding hand had been a comfort. To myself, at least. Times when I’d greeted the public against his recommendations proved more difficult to navigate. As much as it pained me, Melody drove home the point I’d been struggling to accept. Rules and traditions. Behaviors and attitudes. Nick taught me that in our positions, all of those things were just as much weapons to be wielded as my daggers and his sword.
She laughed softly. “Well, I take that as a compliment. He’s been around this way of life for a long time.”
It was my turn to cover her mouth. “Don’t say that too loudly. He has ears like a bat and seems to always be around. I don’t want you encouraging him.” She batted away my hand and returned an eye roll of her own.
Our laughter filled the hall as we continued toward the tea room. It had become our little tradition to take time to sit in the pretty parlor decorated by Nick’s mom. He usually had meetings in the afternoons, and when I didn’t have appearances to make, it was important I made sure Melody wasn’t alone too much.
To her credit, she worked harder than I did at integrating with the high society ladies. I knew she enjoyed it, but I also knew better now. Learned how to read beneath her vivacious, smiling face. It was easy to recognize something that lingered behind my own eyes as well, that feeling when you don’t quite fit in. Which seemed crazy because Melody was a natural. But change can be hard to accept, and we’d been througha lotof it.
We entered the room that had become our little cove of reprieve. Pink damask wallpaper plastered the walls, complemented with gold filigree accents, mirrors, and vases. Candelabras were lit and dispersed throughout the room. A burgundy sofa and two matching chairs angled before bay windows overlooked the ocean. We sat in silence, waiting for our tea to arrive.
One day during our first week living within these walls, we’d raided the pantry to peruse the stock. All sorts of beverage mixes and delicacies from around the world lived in that kitchen. To my delight and heartache, I found my mother’s favorite tea. My father tried to always have some on hand, but when he passed, Eucinda made no effort to replenish it. The day I emptied the tin from a land across the sea had been the most sorrowful sincethey’d both passed. Until Eucinda destroyed that glass heart, that is.
So, as predictable as the sun rising in the morning, I would enjoy my mother’s oolong tea, and Melody would sip her chamomile. The staff knew not to linger or disturb us, only tending to the fire on occasion. Usually, our schedules wouldn’t allow us to stay longer than an hour, but I’d grown fond of this time. It quieted the world, allowing me to contemplate whatever I needed to with my precious sister.
In beautiful routine fashion, we drained our cups and sat in silence while the embers crackled their tune in the hearth. Playing on a loop in my mind was the preparations we’d established for the Argora Vale refugees. My thoughts swirled, trying to ensure that no rock had been left unturned in regards to settling a group of people.
I kind of dreaded receiving those first reports, knowing that if I’d missed something, it would take days for supplies to reach them. My first truly ambitious task as queen, and there was a chance I’d monumentally fail them. Heaving a sigh, I sank further into the chair. Only time would tell, and until then, I had other important tasks to focus on.
We’d made excellent strides in providing for South Harbor’s hungry, but I hadn’t realized that other villages, towns, and even the bigger cities had small pockets of unsheltered citizens. South Harbor had been the worst, but in my naivety, I’d assumed the wealthier areas didn’t have that issue.
Tomorrow I’d have a meeting with Ricks and several representatives from towns and cities to discuss their needs. Simultaneously tackling that and the Argora Vale residents was going to be a lot, but for this quiet hour, I simply sat with my sister and watched the ocean breathe.
Nick and I stood before the closed double doors. The staff opened them for us, and we strolled into the dining room, hand in hand. Melody and Tio sat in their same spots as earlier, and Marco, unsurprisingly, sat in Nicholas’s chair at the head of the table.
I laughed under my breath and shook my head. Nicholas placed his hands on Marco’s shoulders, his grip wrinkling the fashionable jacket. “Looks like you’ve made a full recovery after taking Tio’s hit today.” Nick reached for my hand again, leading me to my chair beside Marco, who had so haughtily assumed the role of King of Highcrest. I’d be sad when this snowy haired man returned to his kingdom.
I rested my hand along Nicholas’s forearm in silent thanks and took my seat. He joined at my side, directly across from Tio. Not the spot for the king, but I loved seeing Nick’s humility every single day. It never failed to amaze me how wrong I’d been about him. My heart beamed as I took in his beautiful face and gently cupped his cheek, silently thanking him for being so amazing. His sparkling eyes watched me as he took my hand and pressed my palm to his lips.
My stars, how I loved him.
“Can’t keep me down for long, cousin.” Marco raised his already full wine glass and tipped it toward us in the air before sampling it. For all his critiques and bold opinions, he never had commented on the wine.
Nicholas leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, folding his hands before him. “Tio, my wife tells me a guest room has been prepared for you.”
Tio cleared his throat. “Yes, I heard. I am very grateful, thank you, Your Majesty.” He glanced at me and bowed his head.
“It’s no problem at all,” I said with a welcoming smile.
“I’m going to take him to South Harbor tomorrow, show him around,” Melody chimed in, unable to hide her excitement.
To my delight, Tio looked at her with matching excitement in his sea glass eyes.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Melody.”
