However, she wouldn’t risk Caius’s safety if the roads were unpassable.
And she spent all these days ensuring no one could argue his right to the crown.
Her father would be furious.
A smile broke across Dimitrios’s face before he could stop it. “I have to go.”
Dimitrios searched the palace until his legs burned—gardens, dining halls, kitchens, council chambers. Offices. Bedrooms.
He was nearly outside when he caught the faintest hint of her presence, having almost missed her entirely.
Inside the Gallery of Ancients, marble pillars circled the two-story chamber, each standing between towering marble statues of ancient Perean heroes from a long-ago war.
At the far end, beneath the dome’s purest beam of light, the most curious statue of them all overlooked the lower floor. A man and woman, immortalized forever in a sad embrace. He, standing tall, and she, a limp body in his arms. No one alive remembered when or why they’d been immortalized in that moment. Even their names were lost to time.
Milonia stood with her back to him, staring up at the stone couple, almost exactly centered on the floor’s red-and-gold star pattern. Her hair was unpinned, and her gold himation draped off one bare shoulder.
In another life, as another man, he would have kissed her warm skin in greeting. Inhaled deeply of her scent in that space between her neck and shoulder.
And in that life, she might have turned and smiled and welcomed him home.
Instead, she remained still, eyes turned upwards to the lover’s embrace.
Dimitrios crossed the room, slow and quiet, until he stood at the edge of the floor’s polished star.
“This has always been my favorite room,” she said. “Otuvian heroes are remembered in song, immortalized before fires with music and dancing. Here, they’re remembered in the quiet. In shadows and sunlight. In peace.”
With a sigh and a shake of her head, her chin sank toward her chest. “I didn’t intend to be here this long. We’re leaving momentarily.”
Dimitrios lurched forward before catching himself. “That isn’t necessary. I was harsh before. I was in shock.”
“It wasn’t how I wanted you to find out.” She gave him the briefest glimpse of her profile over one shoulder. “I knew you would eventually. I thought I would be home by then. Maybe even married off to some influential lord. Someone useful to my father’s cause.”
Thatwas not a future he’d imagined, and the idea of another’s hands on her…
His nails bit into his palms. “Is that the life you want? A marriage born of influence at your father’s whim?”
Milonia stared up at the statue again and was quiet for some time.Finally, she said, “Thank you for what you said to Caius. For the promise. It means a great deal to both of us that you would try.”
“I meant every word.” He dared another step and could almost smell her lilac-scented skin. “I would offer him the world if it were within my power.”
She didn’t answer for a moment. Then her shoulders pulled taut. “Caius is waiting for me in the carriage. I must go.”
She started toward a second set of doors that would take her outside.
“Did I lose you?” he called to her back, his heart pounding in his ears.
Even as the words left him without forethought. In none of those imagined arguments had he handed over his still-beating heart on a platter. Not once had he feared losing her, because in every instance, he forgave her.
He’d forgive heranything.
When she didn’t answer, he took two more urgent steps, his hands trembling. “Milonia. Stay. Help me understand.”
Milonia stood in silence for so long that he thought she might turn around. Might finally grace him with those beautiful eyes.
Instead, she walked away. Silent. Certain.
Gone.
