Roman tore his death glare away from Marissa. The woman shot Violet a malicious sneer and stormed off.
“You let her fall,” Violet said to Roman after the others left toward their respective homes.
Roman hiked a shoulder. “I told you I’d stay away from her.”
Violet turned her face into his arm to muffle her laugh. Tilting her face back to look at him, she blew him a kiss. “Let’s go surprise our parents and eat dinner. I’m starving.”
* * *
Roman’s mother hurried out of the palace gates toward them, her purple skirts flying around her legs. “You’re home!”
He moved forward to meet her halfway, but she flew past him and threw her arms around Violet. Roman spun around, grinning when Violet’s eyes flared. She patted Sarah’s back awkwardly. “I missed everyone too.”
His mother stepped back and waved her hand. “Come on, honey, your parents are right behind me. They can’t wait to see you.”
“Hello to you, too, Mom,” Roman said dryly and approached the two women.
She held out her arms, pulling him against her with a hearty squeeze. “I’m glad you’re home safe.” She moved back to Violet’s side. “Your father and the council are waiting to be debriefed on the attack.”
He moved to Violet’s other side, having somehow entered a silent battle with his mother over who got to stand closer to Violet. “They’ll have to wait. I need to feed my mate and take her home to rest.”
Violet waved her hand. “I’m right here, and I can feed myself. You won’t believe this, Roman, but I can find my way to my own cottage.”
His mother’s face fell. “You’re not staying in the palace?”
Violet looked from the queen to Roman, clearly confused. “We haven’t discussed it yet,” Roman replied for her.
“I hadn’t thought about it,” Violet admitted softly. “We haven’t even had time to discuss the wedding.”
Roman beamed with pride at how freely she spoke of marrying him.
“There won’t be time for a wedding before Roman’s coronation,” Sarah said ruefully but soon perked up. “That just means we’ll have two coronations!”
“Two coronations?” Violet parroted.
“Oh, gods,” Roman groaned. “You’re just looking for an excuse to throw two more events. We can marry tonight and be crowned together.” Violet looked uneasy, and Roman’s elation deflated. “You don’t want to marry me tonight?”
“It’s not that,” she assured him, softening her words. “I just…” She blew out a breath. “I always wanted to plan my wedding. You know—flowers, cake, inviting my friends.”
The queen beamed, and Roman sighed in defeat. “If a grand wedding is what you want,” he pecked the top of her head, “then you will have one. Though I think we can still crown her at my coronation.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” his mother remarked.
“Mom!” Violet cried suddenly, breaking away from Roman and Sarah to run toward Meri and Edgar. The Maekins hustled down the palace steps, and Roman glanced sideways at his mother. She must have run full speed to reach Roman and Violet once she’d received word they were in the capital.
Meri burst into tears, babbling about the rebel attack and how Violet could never leave again. Edgar wrapped his arms around his daughter, murmuring something for only them to hear.
“Don’t I get a hug?” an annoying voice asked Violet. Slayton and Roman’s father stood behind the Maekins, and when Violet saw her friend, she threw her arms wide.
Unfortunately for her, Roman was faster, and before she could wrap her arms around Slayton, he’d wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her against his chest. She frowned up at him. “Let me go.”
Roman grunted. “No.”
“Aww, come on, Rome.” Slayton held his arms wide. “I’ll let you hug me first.”
“The only way my arms are going around you is to rip you in half,” Roman muttered.
Violet tried to pry Roman’s arm from around her. “I won’t marry you if you don’t let me hug him,” she threatened.
