When I left my suite the next morning, my guard had been doubled to eight. Four strode in front of me with their blades in their hands and magic crackling around them, while the other four, equally armed, walked close enough behind they’d run into me if I stopped. If they could’ve split me and stuffed four more guards between my halves, I bet they would’ve.
“Good,” Merrick said when I stepped into the throne room with my entourage. “Never again.” His warning was for Surren, whose face darkened with dismay. But he took the chastisement and gave Merrick a curt nod.
“It’s not his fault.” I strode down the aisle toward Merrick. A few titters rang out from the ladies sitting on either side, but when Merrick’s gaze hit them, they slunk low in their seats, pressing their hands over their mouths. Their eyes widening, their whimpers rang out when they couldn’t pry their hands offtheir magically sealed mouths. Was it bad that I took pleasure in the pleading looks they sent my way?
“Please.” Merrick stood as I approached, holding his hand out to me. When our fingers touched, he squeezed mine and tugged me close. His gaze slid from my face to my arm. He lifted my hand and pressed his mouth against the mark on my forearm. Heat flared, and when his head lifted, the scar was gone. He repeated the same process on my cheek and even peeled back the shoulder of my gown to expose the sealed slice from the blade.
While everyone in the room watched, no one saying a word but not a single one looking away, he gently kissed along the wound. Searing warmth followed his path, leaving nothing but smooth skin behind.
“Thank you,” I said as he gently smoothed my dress back into place. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes. I did.” He lifted both my hands and kissed the palms, one after the other.
“I wasn’t hurt there.”
“I’d kiss your heart and your soul if it would help ease your pain, Reyla. Someone . . .” His growl ripped out. He pinched his eyes closed but only for a moment before they opened and blazed into mine. “I’d pay any price to lift even one shadow from your soul.”
“Merrick,” I breathed. My heart swelled and tightened. How much more of this man’s sweetness could I take before my walls crumbled and I stood before him, completely exposed?
“It’s true.” Taking my hand, he led me to my throne and waited while I sat before dropping onto his own.
I explained what happened in a low voice, telling him that I was the foolish one who’d disobeyed, that Surren had insisted on staying with me, but I’d sent him away.
“Lore should not have allowed this,” was all he said, his eyes clouded with fury waiting to be tapped.
“Don’t be mad with them. Please.”
His gaze still simmered, but he gave me a curt nod.
I spent the rest of morning in the throne room with him, soaking in his pride-filled glances when I made one judgement after another. No one voiced a single protest at me holding court today instead of him. But then, I would soon be their queen.
AndMerrick’squeen.
As for Lore . . . I’d tossed all night, thinking about our conversation and the way he’d decimated the person who’d attacked me. The way he’d comforted me after.
I reminded myself that he could only be a friend.
“Have lunch with me?” Merrick asked after he’d announced the court was over, and we were done for the day. He released those he’d magically silenced. I doubted they’d snicker again.
Everyone stood, and we left through a room behind the dais as they quickly and quietly filed out through the opposite side.
“Alone?” I asked, linking my fingers with his once the huge doors had banged shut behind us.
My guards milled around us, mixing in with his. Would I always need such fierce protection? I wasn’t used to considering others when I chose to go somewhere or do something. That time might now be over.
“Is there any better way to dine than with me?” Merrick ledme through the small chamber behind the throne room and out into a hall I’d never seen before. I could live here for five lifetimes, and I’d still get lost.
I came to a stop and peered around. “Where are we?”
“In the south wing.” He gestured for us to continue down the long empty hall with tall windows on the left side. Sunlight streamed through the pristinely clear glass, sparkling on the dark marble floor and arcing off the silver braid of the guards moving ahead of us.
We were never truly alone.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said in a teasing tone, stopping and placing his palm against his chest. “I’m sorely wounded and worrying that you don’t want to dine with me.”
“I’d be delighted to dine with you, my king.” I gave him a deep curtsy, flaring the skirt of my medium blue gown speckled with tiny white flowers. I doubted I’d get used to dressing this way, but I was learning not to trip on the voluminous fabric or lean too far forward, which made my breasts eager to pop out. Low-cut bodices appeared to be the height of fashion in this court. Honestly, I didn’t mind them other than for the fact that there was no way I’d be able to fight off a feral beast wearing something like this.
It was clear by where his gaze caressed me that Merrick enjoyed viewing all I showed off. And that made my skin and other parts of me thrum in a very pleasant way.
