Merrick’s eyes sparked with promise. She continued staring at him even when they reached two heavy wooden doors that the guards—after hesitating only for a second—opened for them, revealing an arched entryway with deep red polished stone glittering as bright as Merrick’s silver hair in the sunlight.
She knew he could feel the emotions coursing within her, so instead of fanning the ember of worry that refused to leave her gut when she thought about what they might find out, she allowed herself to burrow down in the love she had for him.
In the gratefulness that they were together.
In the belief that whatever happened, they had each other.
In the excitement for a night together in a comfortable room, one where rain didn’t leak through the ceiling to soak their makeshift bed.
One side of Merrick’s mouth quirked up, and when he reached for her, she lifted onto her toes to peck his lips. He wasn’t having that, of course, capturing her instead in such a passionate kiss that Kerym cleared his throat behind them.
“We have a half-dead man here,” the Siphon Twin reminded them.
Lessia pulled back, but she could tell Merrick was about to hissLet him just die, so she gave him a sharp look, even if it softened when he couldn’t hide the twitch of disappointment pulling his lips downward.
Merrick still scowled when he turned to a soldier standing straight-backed, looking ahead down the hallway where a thick crimson carpet with black serpents embroidered into it snaked its way over the polished stone.
“Get us a healer. The king’s,” he barked. “We’ll be in the guest quarters.”
Jerking his head for the group to follow, Merrick led the way down the corridor, and Lessia was glad he held on to her hand because her lips parted as she gawked at the massive gilded chandeliers glittering above them, and she nearly stumbled when she glimpsed ballroom after ballroom with the most beautiful tapestries hanging down the walls, where instruments were spread out and table after table stood with silver and gold cups and plates and cutlery.
“Your family didn’t spare any expense.” Kerymappeared amused when Lessia continued to whip her head back and forth. “I guess this is all yours now. Yours and little Frelina, of course.”
Lessia scoffed. “This belongs to the ruler, so that would be Iviry, wouldn’t it?”
Kerym didn’t respond as Merrick nudged a glass door open, revealing another hallway with doors every few feet on either side standing half open. When Merrick led them to the closest one, Lessia realized this must be the sleeping quarters.
The room was as beautiful as the rest of the castle. A massive bed with more blankets than she’d ever seen stood against the wall to her right, double glass doors led out to a stone balcony, and a massive closet and bathing chamber stood beside each other to the left. Judging from a quick peek into the room opposite this one, every door must have opened to similar spaces.
“Put him on the bed.” Merrick went up to the double doors, opening them and letting in the gentle, flowery breeze, along with the birdsong, which seemed far too kind for a place her uncle had called home.
As Kerym set down the moaning half-witch, Soria and Pellie assisting him while Cedar helped Kalia into a plush chair to the side of the bed, Lessia followed Merrick out onto the balcony.
He stood with his back to the room, tense and ready as always, but Lessia could see something bothered him—something that had his broad shoulders slump and his face harden more than usual.
Sneaking under his outstretched arms, his hands resting against the stone railing, she leaned into his chest as she followed his gaze, looking out over the green garden beneath them. Lush bushes and trees stood inperfect rows, and a large maze spread out as far as she could see.
“What is it?” Lessia whispered when Merrick released a shuddering breath, his arms moving to hold her closer.
“I hate this place.” Merrick’s breath flew through her hair, making her own exhale deepen. “I’ve always hated it, but…”
Lessia waited a couple of heartbeats for him to finish, but when he didn’t, she ripped her eyes from all the greenery and turned to face him.
Torment. It was raw torment that stormed in his dark eyes, those silver swirls angrily shifting over her as his gaze roved across her face, almost… almost as if it were the first?—
“This is where you saw me the first time,” she said, her words barely a whisper.
Another shiver racked Merrick’s body.
“I can never forget it. Seeing you in that fucking cellar… I…” Merrick seemed to fight with himself as his next words came out harsh and jumbled, but she could tell how much he loved her from how he tried to soften his voice.
“Kerym is right. Iviry gave this to me as well before we left.” He gave her a letter. “You and Frelina have the right to this castle and the one Rioner gave your father, including the staff employed here. They were both funded with Rantzier gold and so belong to those with Rantzier blood.”
Lessia frowned at the letter when Merrick tipped her chin up. “I’ll stay here with you. I just… It might take me some time to get used to it.”
Lessia started laughing. A slightly manic laugh thatquieted the room behind them, but she couldn’t stop when Merrick appeared truly confused.
“You…” She had to fight to get air into her lungs. “You think…”
