“Corrick.” I step into him and press a soft kiss to his lips. “There could be a dozen crossbows pointed at me, and I’m not going to say no.”
“Let’s try to avoid that part, shall we?” He kisses me back, pulling me tightly against him. In moments like this, I can forget everything else for a breath of time, and we can just be Corrick and Tessa, together against the night, the way we always were.
But then he draws back, and I blink in the firelight of our manor bedroom, and he’s the king trying to hold a country together, talking about marriage and the pressure to create an heir and poisoned children.
I’m just Tessa, a girl who fell in love with him.
All of a sudden, I’m reminded of the day I asked if Harristan was inviting someone to dinner. The way Corrick said,Haven’t you noticed? My brother never invites a companion.
“You don’t have to ask me to marry you,” I say immediately. “Youdon’t have to feel obligated. You don’t even have to keep me here. Corrick, if this is a mistake, if you should be marrying someone who will give you more political leverage, if I’m putting you in greater danger—”
“Tessa, stop.”
“I’m serious.” I draw back, realizing I’ve been looking at all those other girls all wrong. “I’m not a political ally to you.”
“Tessa, you helped me negotiate a peaceable treaty with Ostriary. You helped me see the ways I could be a better King’s Justice. You’ve stood by my side throughout countless attacks. When you were trapped on Ostriary, you took action to help the people. Even when you believed in Rian, it was his conviction that inspired you, and seeing that inspiredme. Truly, how could you be abetterpolitical ally?”
I flush. “Well, when you put it that way . . .”
He smiles. “There’s no obligation. There’s no better choice.”
I stare up at him. “Then my answer will be yes,” I whisper, and he swallows. “But don’t do it because of the girls,” I add quickly, “or . . . ?or because of the consuls or because you’re under pressure or because of anything that worries you. Do it because youwantto. Do it wheneveryou’reready.”
Emotion flickers in his eyes, just for a moment before he blinks it away.
“And when you have a ring,” I say lightly, trying to take some of the intensity out of the moment. “Not when you’re warning me about threats against the Crown.”
He presses a hand to my cheek. “Yes, my love.”
That catches my heart and gives it a squeeze. I blush and turn away, tugging at the lacing of my corset again. “Now if you don’t mind, the maid tied these knots somethingfierce—”
He catches my hand and turns me back around. Without hesitation, he drops to one knee.
There’s a ring in his hand, and a determined look in his eye.
“Tessa Cade,” he says, “I’m ready now.”
Corrick is right. Once we’re engaged, it’s worse. Suddenly people are askingmefor favors, sending me requests, attempting to use me to gain his favor. One morning Corrick and Lochlan head to Steel City to meet with three barons who are volleying for who should be named consul, and I’ve gratefully remained behind with Karri and Olive because I simply can’t take the glorified bickering much longer. We’re eating lunch in my sitting room when a guard knocks to announce that I have a visitor.
When the man calls out, “Laurel Pepperleaf, Miss Cade,” I choke on my food.
“Tessa!” Karri hisses.
I gulp down half a cup of tea. “I’m fine,” I sputter. “I just—her father was in league with Allisander. Corrick said she was interested in my medicine because she was trying to make sure I didn’t find out about the poison. I have no idea why she could be here.”
Olive sits back in her chair. “Well, I’m not leaving.”
I give her a look and tell the guard to send the woman in.
The last time I saw her, Laurel Pepperleaf was resplendent in a silk gown, her blond hair gleaming, the picture of perfect wealth and privilege. She hasn’t lost the air of sophistication and wealth, but her eyes are shadowed, her hair pinned back, her clothing more demure.
When she enters the room, I don’t say a word. I don’t even stand.
Cynicism has set in, forsure.
She hesitates, then offers me a curtsy. “Thank you for agreeing to see me,” she says. “I wanted to congratulate you on your engagement.”
I don’t thank her, and I don’t beat around the bush. “When we met,” I say, “you seemed interested in my medicine. I was eager totalk to you, especially when you were so interested in going to Ostriary. I was disappointed to learn you were simply trying to protect your father’s interests in poisoning the people of Kandala.”
