Merrick gave my hand a squeeze, and I wished we were back on the ship where life was simpler. I knew him well now, or I thought I did, but this man fit into this life with ease while I . . . didn’t.
Not yet, I told myself, stiffening my spine. I would.
Behind us, tall fae men closed the castle's front doors with a boom, the sound ricochetting through the foyer, silencing the whispers, though only for now.
Above us, the ceiling soared into the upper echelons of the castle, its intricate, painted details showing scenes from a history I suspected I’d soon need to learn. Railings carved from a shimmering silver wood, like twisted vines, coiled along the sides of the stairs.
Everything about Evergorne Castle shouted wealth and power, one that must’ve taken centuries to grab onto and control. A twinge of nervousness sped through me. I was trulyout of my depth. I was a dragon trainer in my previous life, living among warriors like me. Dressing in leathers. Strapping on blades with ease and pulling them even easier to brandish them in someone’s face if they got on my nerves. I knew nothing of staff or courtiers or nobility, though I was now one of the latter if in name only.
I likely appeared crude and woefully unprepared for this. What was I thinking when I volunteered to be an unknown fae king’s bride?
Escape, my mind whispered. Memories of Kinart haunted me, chased me. In that, I was succeeding, but now I worried I was shoving him aside much too easily, replacing him with my new husband.
And to some extent, Lore.
Speaking of the irksome fae lord, where was he? I hadn’t expected him to ride in the carriage with us, and the thought of him sitting across from us, his heavy gaze locked on me, made me fidget. No doubt, I’d see him too soon.
“Staff?” Erisandra called out to those standing in long rows. “Please welcome Reyla to the castle.”
Murmuring polite greetings, they finally cocked their heads to gape at me trying not to quiver beside Merrick.
“Mother,” Merrick growled.
“Yes, dear?”
Tightening his hand on mine, he urged me toward the staff, stopping in the middle of the twin lines. He leaned close to speak by my ear. “I don’t understand why she’s acting this way, but I’m sorry.”
I nodded as if it didn’t matter, and tried to believe that myself.
Farris remained with us, obediently sitting when we came to a stop.
Merrick’s gaze swept across the staff standing at attention. “Allow me to introduce my new bride and your future queen, the woman I will adore until my dying day. I present to you Reyla Jarrn Weldsbane, daughter of the deceased High Lady of Weldsbane and the deceased King of Bledmire.”
As warmth stroked across my soul, tears prickled in the corners of my eyes. His words shielded me, cutting through my doubts and fear. My vision blurred, but I fought to keep control of myself. I’d give nothing to them, though I was beginning to believe I’d one day want to giveeverythingto him.
His words made them see me, and in response, something inside me began to bloom. This was more than the spark of hope and more than the gratitude I’d feel for a friend.
“You may have heard of her brother,” he added with a quirk of one eyebrow and a steely gaze shot his mother’s way. “High Lord Vexxion of Weldsbane, formerly and, might I say, affectionately referred to as the Beast.”
Gasps rang out in the room and not only from the lined-up staff.
Affectionatelywas definitely stretching it, but I appreciated Merrick’s support.
“Her beloved friend, High Lady Tempest of Lydel Court extends her well wishes to us all as well,” he said grandly, his soft gaze on me. I saw so much there. Heat. Affection. And a determination to protect me at all costs. “As does her half-brother, Zayde, nephew of the High Lord of Riftflame Court and the newly crowned King of Bledmire.”
When you laid it all out like that, it made me sound impressive. I still struggled not to shrink against the wall, but a rod of pride spiked through me. With it, I met the gaze of each and every one of the staff. Some gave me quick smiles. Others darted their eyes away and would bear watching. The rest nodded respectfully, telling me that while they may be reserving judgment, they would give me a chance. I noted each face and response and tucked the information away.
“You will welcome her.” A hint of suppressed rage snarled through Merrick’s voice. “You will do as she asks and without question. You will treat her with the same respect you do me or, by the fates, I will handle itpersonally.”
The fingers of his free hand tightened to a fist, and his lips thinned. I doubted the others noticed how he lightly tapped his foot against the marble tiles beneath him. Instantly, patterns start rippling away from him in waves across the floor's surface, creating dark, endless pits beneath those who’d smirked and slashing blades beneath those who’d snickered. The few who’d given me welcome smiles stared down at the floor beneath their feet blooming with flowers or images of sweet creatures prancing.
This king, this new husband of mine was unlike anyone I’d met before. From our conversations, I knew he wielded a strong, yet kind hand within his court.
But the fates help anyone who disobeyed him.
A glance at his mother’s entourage showed them hopping around while releasing tiny yelps, evading the lunges of vicious,snarling marble creatures erupting from the floor tiles beneath them.
Only his mother remained untouched and unmoved by the display. Her sharp gaze remained on me, and while I no longer found indifference there, I did see sly speculation.
