Dorsan shifted, pale from uncertainty. To my grandfather, the prince’s word would supersede my own, but he seemed wary to leave my side.
“Go, Dorsan,” I said. “We are in the same wing.”
With a stiff bow, the guard retreated through the doorway. Alone, Jonas took hold of my hand. Twenty paces from Dorsan’s chamber were two new doors, separated by a mere arm’s length.
“Your chamber,” he said, opening one side. “It is still under some work, but you have a sitting room and bedchamber. Afraid the washroom is only on my side, but you have the largest window and?—”
“You redesigned your bedchamber?”
Jonas halted in the doorway. “I wasn’t certain how fiercely you might wish to murder me, so I thought you might prefer your own space.”
A strange, natural grin tugged at my lips. How long had it been since I smiled in earnest?
“Probably wise. You are irksome and I do like to murder irksome things.” Chin lifted, I strode past the prince.
“Noted, Wife.” Jonas left the door open, but followed me into the room.
The smell of freshly dyed rugs and lacquered wood perfumed the air. Blue and silver, like colors of Natthaven, were strewn over thick, wood floorboards. A half-built hearth was in one corner. Gray stones were stacked neatly on the floor, and when it was finished, the open nook would be large enough I could step inside.
Wooden chairs padded in wiry furs were positioned around a table with clay cups and a crystal ewer—almost like the flutes and decanters of Natthaven. As promised, a reaching, arched window let in the pale light. Below my side of the chamber was a garden. Tangles of green briars and pale blossoms were kept in rows of neat hedges and shrubs. Orderly and opposite from most of the kingdom.
“I love gardens,” I whispered, pressing one palm to the bubbled glass.
“While you were at the sea fae palace, Liv mentioned you enjoyed the gardens there. Fortunately, I do as well, so my wing overlooks them.”
“But you didn’t keep the window.”
“I have a smaller one.” Jonas glanced at his boots and set the satchel he’d shouldered on one of the chairs.
Gods, he tried to make me comfortable even before the vows.
In the bedchamber, a polished bed of cherry wood was draped in a thick quilt of fur and a blue, woven duvet. The mattress was fuller than mine back in Natthaven, and stacks of pillows were disorderly against the headboard, with more in neat piles on the floor.
“I didn’t know your preferences, so you can arrange your space as you please.” Jonas leaned one shoulder against the doorframe.
My furnishings back home were fine enough, but simple. Alver clans did not display refinement, but the prince had clearly strived to drape the chamber in elegance.
He cleared his throat and took a step back. “Your belongings will be here soon. In advance, forgive the vulgarity of whoever brings them. Take the night to get settled. There will be a feast in the coming days to welcome you after the full moon.”
Gods, the full moon was in only two days. Grandfather added the stipulation we were to share a bed each full moon with intention, but his insistence to have the vows so near the next moon likely had as much intention to draw us close in haste as anything.
I cleared my throat. “What is feast attire for alvers?”
“Attire?” The prince hooked his thumbs in his belt. “Don’t arrivenaked, I suppose. I already made my sentiments on others seeing you known.”
My heart jumped. “This informality will take some getting used to. I don’t want to . . . overdress or seem as if I’m not trying to conform to your folk. I never want to offend.”
Hells, I hadn’t meant for the words to spill out, a sieve of insecurities and fears that couldn’t be held back any longer. I turned my back toward the door, feigning interest in the runes etched into one of the bedposts.
“Skadinia—”
“Skadi.” My name trembled over my lips. “I hate Skadinia.”
My breath caught when Jonas dragged his knuckles along the back of my arm. He crowded me from behind. With slow hands, the prince slid my hair off the curve of my neck.
“Skadi.” His breath heated the bare skin of my shoulder. “I am not ignorant to how drastically your world has changed by vowing with me. You have no reason to believe me, but I truly only want you to find some peace here.”
“Why?” I spun around, my body aligned to his. “We fought against each other. You could make my life miserable for what I did to your brother.”
