She slid her sword back into its sheath and lifted one of the blades, studying it with an almost pained look on her face.
“You don’t like them,” I said, my chest so tight, I could barely breathe.
She looked up at me, and the shimmer of tears in her eyes gutted me. “I love them. Thank you.”
When she pressed her face into my chest, I tightened my arms around her.
She loved them.
Nothing could make me happier.
44
REYLA
Ifelt torn. Merrick was amazing. He touched my heart in a way no one else ever had. I could love him. That certainty had sunk into my bones. Realizing this didn’t make me feel as if I was betraying Kinart.
I was sad for one reason only.
Whenever I thought of being with Merrick fully, something I knew I’d enjoy and look forward to each time, my mind spun with memories of what I’d done with Lore. How could I put that behind me and build only friendship with my husband’s bodyguard and best friend?
“I wish I could stay here with you longer,” Merrick finally said. We stood, and he rubbed my back. Even in this, he offered me comfort. Why couldn’t I make my heart cling to him alone? “I have to meet with my advisors again. But you should come to the dining room for dinner. Please.” He cupped my cheeks with his warm hands and urged me to look up at him. “My mothersaid you haven’t come to the dining room in the evening since you arrived here.”
“I prefer to have a tray delivered to my room.”
“I would never press you to do something that makes you uncomfortable.”
I winced. “I hear a but in your statement.”
“As queen, there will be times when you’ll have to do things you don’t enjoy.”
“Like dine with your mother.”
“And me.” His sweet smile rose, and the mischievous look in his eyes darkened to something that made heat lick through my veins all over again. “When you sit withme, I won’t allow her to slight you.”
I wasn’t sure how he’d keep her from being snide, though she’d probably take care in his presence. As for her ladies? I was perfecting my glare.
I was surprised she hadn’t stormed my suite and insisted I dine with them already. While I doubted she’d seek my company again, she must want to get in more digs. I could only avoid them for long.
“She hasn’t always been like this.” He appeared pensive. “She changed over the past few years. I don’t know why.”
Her meanness finally rose to the surface, perhaps, though I wouldn’t say that. Despite how she treated me, he loved her. I wouldn’t try to step between them. Which meant I could try. Again.
“I’ll be there,” I said and was rewarded with his smile and a kiss that didn’t last long enough.
He took the blades from me and reverently slid each intothe sheaths at my waist, tossing my old ones to the side. “I’ll send new sheaths to your room, ones you can wear anywhere.”
“These are the ones the armory assigned to me at the fortress.” They’d served me well, and I wasn’t sure why I needed new ones.
“Some will complain about you wearing weapons.”
“Because it threatens you?”
He snorted. “While you’re a solid threat to my heart.” His rapid inhalation told me he might not have meant to say that, but the warmth flooding my veins told me I liked that he felt the same. “I trust you not to stab me.”
“Behave,” I poked his naked belly that flexed with muscles, “and your soft skin is perfectly safe from me.”
“Iamsoft. I hope that’s not a problem.”
