“Ah, Skadinia, how lonely these corridors will be without you.” The king pressed a kiss to her brow. “But be well in your new lands, keep to our agreements, and write to me often, child.”
She embraced her grandfather.
Eldirard looked to me. “You are pleased, I hope, Prince Jonas?”
“Time will tell.”
The king’s face fell. “Was my granddaughter not pleasing?”
Shameful gazes pointed at Skadi boiled in my brain, and the same unsettling need to step in front of her, a shield against her own folk, caused my body to hum in overheated irritation.
“Time will tell,” I went on, “for I do not yet know if my wife is pleased. Is that not the way of things? A satisfied wife makes for a pleasant life? If she is pleased, then I will be.”
One of the guards chuckled like it was a ridiculous notion. A man with young features and a smugness that left me rather inclined to strike his jaw.
Skadi looked away, fingers tangled. Not so long ago she was standing toe to toe with me, taunting me, the fire in her eyes my new obsession. This man’s mockery doused it.
I rather hated him. “What is your name? I don’t believe I’ve been introduced.”
The guard straightened. “Cian of House Aeburg.”
“Ah. And tell me, Cian of House Aeburg, what did you find amusing about my wife’s satisfaction?”
Cian’s lip twitched. He looked at Skadi, but I took a step to the side, blocking his view.
“No offense meant, Prince Jonas. I simply hope you understand the darkness in our beloved princess. It is difficult to please.”
“Darkness, you say?”
“Jonas.” Skadi’s fingertips touched my arm.
I didn’t look back.
For me, mesmer magic was cold, like icy water replaced my blood. Sander described his as a roar of wind in his chest. When I blackened out the whites of my eyes the world looked as though the sun hid behind thick clouds.
My arm slipped around Skadi’s waist, tucking her against my side. “I suppose it is a good thing she goes to a realm of nightmares then. She’ll fit right in.” Without brightening my gaze, I looked to the elven king. “We’ll return to fulfill our obligations of the alliance.”
Eldirard swallowed. “Of course. Dorsan will accompany you as the representative for my court.”
The second guard with stern features sharp enough to cut glass stepped forward, a pack of belongings strapped to his back. The same man who’d come to gather my runaway bride at the tavern.
“He will be welcome, so long as he is not foolish enough to insult my wife, no matter howsubtle.” My teeth flashed at Cian. “You see, I have a terrible time forgetting such things, then I’m nothing but poor company.”
Skadi stiffened against my side, but said nothing as she bid her grandfather another swift farewell.
Together, we stepped into the small row boat with a stone-faced Dorsan.
Once we were far enough from shore, I held Skadi’s chin between my thumb and finger, drawing her face close. “Angry with me?”
“Yes.”
I hummed, blinking until the darkness of my mesmer faded from my eyes. “I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“All so you can do the next infuriating thing?”
“I guarantee it.”
She pinched her lips and shifted on the bench, barring me out.
