Angry red welts rose across her palm and chest, and the barbed whip had slashed her dress across the front, marring the delicate fabric.
What a disaster.
I glanced around at the room full of wide-eyed witnesses. So did Raewyn. She looked terrified, but still she stood her ground, protecting my brother.
What was happening?
Raewyn had told me just last night that she loved me, that she’d been desperate to get away from him and return to me.
Had she and Pharisplannedthis to humiliate me?
Sounds of shock and amazement rippled through the crowd, followed by whispers and murmurs of speculation.
“What are you doing?” I demanded in a low voice.
“Whatyoushould have done,” Raewyn said. “Stopping this travesty.”
“I ordered it foryou. To make him pay for what he did to you, and to publicly demonstrate what will happen to anyone who dares lay a finger on you.”
“It’s wrong,” Raewyn said.
“I am theKing,” I said, seething. “Idecide what is right and wrong. As my wife, you should stand behind my decisions and support?—”
“I’mnotyour wife,” she interrupted. “Not yet. And I would never marry a man who’d killed his own brother. Release him at once.”
I wanted to strike something, but I dropped my hands to my sides, grinding my teeth together.
“Fine,” I muttered between them. “He’s received punishment, and though it’s not enough, asyour wedding gift, I’ll let it end here.”
Turning to the crowd, I announced, “The entertainment is over. Your new Queen has a gentle and merciful heart.”
To the wide-eyed footmen standing nearby I said, “Clear the ballroom. Get everyone to the garden to prepare for the wedding ceremony. I’ll be along shortly with my bride.”
They nodded and began herding the guests toward the ballroom doors.
At my instruction, the two guards who’d locked Pharis to the stone pillar stepped forward and opened the manacles. His body dropped to the floor.
With obvious strain, he dragged himself to his feet, turning to face us.
“I’d invite you to stay for the wedding,” I said to him, “but you don’t seem to be properly attired.”
“You’re not marrying her,” Pharis said, turning his head and spitting blood onto the floor.
My eyes narrowed. “What did you just say?”
“She doesn’t love you,” my brother said. “Not really.”
My eyebrows rose nearly to my hairline.
“She certainly doesn’t loveyou. Not after all the lies you’ve told and the things you’ve done.”
Pharis took the conversation private, his mental voice sounding weary.
I think you’re wrong, unfortunately.he said.It doesn’t matter anyway. I love her enough for the both of us, and I’m through fighting it.
I put my hand on the ceremonial dagger in my belt.
I loved her first.
