It certainly didn’t feel like grief.
But it also wasn’t the relief he’d been hoping for.
Finally it was over, and Nikias was surrounded once more by a sea of black as he stood in the courtyard the reception was being held in. The sun had set as they’d walked back, and the columns and grass were lit by runes placed across the grounds. His mother had grabbed his arm the second the casket was in the ground and hadn’t yet released it, despite Nikias’ soft attempts to escape by offering to find her a drink or a seat.
Mostly because he spotted Aimilia sitting at a table, her mother hovering over her as Aimilia tried to discreetly rub her legs, her face screwed up and her teeth gritted. If she’d been under for the entire trip, it was no wonder she was sore and exhausted just from the funeral.
But Nikias needed to hear from her mouth she would be alright. That no matter what Cyprian attempted next she would be alright.
He needed to hear that she didn’t need him.
Just one more time.
Maybe this would be the time it finally sank in and he could bury his love for good.
It wouldn’t work. But it was an excuse to throw himself at her feet and when had Nikias ever passed that up?
Nikias was about to try again when Cyprian blocked her from view. He stiffened and started to pull his arm out of his mother’s, but her grip tightened.
Cyprian gestured at something, and Aimilia’s arms moved, but Nikias couldn’t tell what she was doing as they had their little spat. Nikias ripped his arm away, not caring if it bruised, and was about to go over there himself when his mother grabbed his cloak and said, “Don’t.”
“Mother—”
Cyprian stepped back as Aimilia pushed herself out of her chair, glaring at Cyprian. She brushed off her peplos and her cloak. Something flashed in the runelight. Nikias couldn’t make it out in the darkness.
But as she passed by Runai, they all paused and looked at it. Whispers began coursing through the crowd as Aimilia cut through them. She was…
Nikias’ breath caught in his throat as she made her way right toward him.
Two mages from House Gelu darted out of her way, and that was when Nikias could see what was hanging from her neck.
His name.
She was wearing the engagement necklace.
Nikias immediately reached for his pockets, but it wasn’t there. The last time she’d had it she’d thrown it off the tower.He’d found it in the dirt. When had he lost track of it? How had she gotten it back?
More importantly,whywas she wearing it?
Aimilia was staring at the ground as she walked on her weak, shaky legs, glancing up only to ensure she didn’t crash into anyone. Nikias stayed perfectly still, his mother’s hand clenched in the back of his cloak as Aimilia finally reached him.
She looked up, and Nikias’ heart stuttered.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, her skin sallow. Her lips trembled, and in the split second he held her gaze, Nikias witnessed a hurricane in her hazel eyes. But then she was staring at the ground.
“Your Highness?—”
Her voice cracked, barely a breath. Then she looked over her shoulder, eyes widening at the crowd that had fallen silent, watching them.
Her legs buckled, and Nikias reached out to catch her, but his mother jerked him back, and Aimilia hit the ground in front of him.
Aimilia barely caught herself with her hands. She took a deep breath, shifting her legs and then putting her hands on her knees, his name hanging in the air. She closed her eyes and raised her voice. “Prince Nikias, it… it wasn’t all that long ago that we stood in this courtyard and you asked me… You asked me to marry you.”
Nikias reached behind him, pushing his mother’s hand off him as he held his hand out. “Aimilia, get up. You?—”
“Your Highness, please let me finish.” Aimilia still refused to look at him. “I foolishly refused you all those months ago, and it is my greatest shame. I am here today to rectify my mistakes. You asked me to marry you, even though I am no great beauty nor my character esteemed like Faustina’s. You gave me an honor that day that I in my arrogance could not see, and I mustoffer my deepest apologies for rejecting you. You are a powerful mage, a skilled commander, and you will be the greatest king Imperia has ever seen. Please, forgive me for not seeing it sooner.”
Who had put these words in her mouth?
