Angling my face to subtly displace his touch, I responded, “I should like to retire early.”
Edric’s piercing blue eyes narrowed in suspicion, then eased. “But of course. You’ll need your rest in advance of the festivities.” He wiggled his eyebrows as he added, “And our wedding night.”
Nausea roiled in my gut.
“Hold your tongue,” Mav snarled.
Edric slid a glacial glare to him. “When I want etiquette advice from anex-knightstripped of their standing, I’ll let you know.”
I retreated a pace, a chill tumbling down my spine. Mav didnot include his history when introducing himself.How did he know this?
As if he could read the question from my shocked expression, Edric chuckled, the sound more threatening than joyful. “I told you, Quinnie—I have eyes and ears everywhere.”
The corridors stretched endlessly as we returned to the guest tower. Edric spoke beside me—seating charts, music, menu—words sliding off as if made of oil. None of it could hold my attention when everything inside me pleaded to run to Mav.
As we halted at my door, Edric’s hand tightened on my arm.“You were stunning. The court already adores you,” he said, tilting his head down. “Sleep well, my bride.”
He leaned in for another kiss. I turned at the last moment, and Edric’s lips met my cheek. A muscle feathered in his jaw as he offered a menacing grin. “Iwillsee you tomorrow, Quinnie.”
I shuddered. Tomorrow, I would lack the freedom to repudiate his advances. The thought curdled what scant supper I had managed to eat.
My eyes darted to where Mav stood at the opposite end of the circular landing. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his glare tracking Edric’s retreat with a force capable of grinding the king to dust.
With a sigh, I stepped into my chambers. The tether pulled so tight that each breath felt borrowed. I had scarcely made it past the hearth when Mav burst in. His eyes were burning, chest heaving.
“Mav…”
“You let him kiss you,” he accused, pacing. “In front of all of them. In front ofme.”
Indignation flared. “Lethim? It was not as though I could refuse. How was I to know he would?—”
“Spare me.” Mav threw up his hands. “It was all part ofmaking his point. Announce the queen. Stake the claim. Parade the prize.”
The words held burning jealousy and cold resignation in equal measure.
“Mav,” I tried, gentler, “he does not know we are?—”
“Of course he knows!” he exploded. “Do you think he misses anything? Eyes and ears everywhere, remember?”
My lips parted, but I flinched at the fury in his eyes before I could speak. Mav saw the recoil. His posture deflated.
“I’m sorry,” he said hoarsely, fast. “Quinn, I didn’t—I would never—” He paced again, slower. “I’m not mad at you.” He paused. “I mean—I am mad at you,” he admitted, gaze slipping aside. “But not in a way I can make any damn sense of.”
My heart cracked open. His anger was no more than a thin veneer failing to hide the vast, aching sea of hurt beneath. He stood with his hands in his hair, eyes down, afraid to meet mine again. As if he could not bear to look upon me.
I was running out of time. The spell would pull me into another century of sleep in two days’ time. Although I did not know the depth of his feelings for me, certainty took root in my chest. If two days were all Mav and I would have together, I wanted to make the most of every moment.
When I reached for my voice, it was a pitiful whisper. “I do not want to marry him.”
Mav’s head snapped up.
“I do not care for Edric.” My fingers curled at my sides, fighting for steadiness. “I care for you, Mav.”
He stilled as disbelief and shock warred in his expression.
Heat blurred my vision before I realized I was weeping. “I made the wrong choice.” The confession was bitter on my tongue. I risked a step closer, needing to be within his gravity. “Perhaps it is too late, and my foolishness will cost me everything. I want this, Mav.” I choked on a sob. “I want to be withyou.”
35
