She closed her eyes, letting that sink in. Her hands came up to rest against my chest. “I…” Her eyes opened, and something in her expression softened. “I thought you envied that part of you that was Merrick.”
“Merrick loved you from the moment I met you. But the part of me that was Lorant craved you. Adored you. Would’ve and still would do anything to see the light of love in your eyes. Every bit of me dreamed of you whether the moon or the sun had risen. All of me would’ve fought fang and claw to keep you by my side all the time, Reyla. From that moment on, you became my reason for existing.”
She bit her lip, tears threatening to spill again, though she tried to blink them away. “So that moment, when we stood and spoke those vows?—”
“It was everything, Wildfire,” I said, my voice raw. “I accepted that I would love you that day. Part of me fought it?—”
“No,” she breathed with a smirk.
“Even as I swore vows I thought would crumble the second thetruth unraveled, I knew one thing. That I would love you with every breath, every touch, and every battle we endured. That moment was the start, Reyla. Everything else has been built on that foundation.”
Her tears fell, but she laughed as she wiped them away. “And here I thought that part of you hated me back then.”
“The only thing I hated was being powerless to claim you the way I wanted to. I stood on that deck, pretending I didn't give a damn, while you shone like the moon herself wrapped in the dress I’d put my heart and soul into crafting. Every bone in my body screamed at me to stop the façade and share the truth even if it killed me. I was desperate to keep you with me forever.”
Her smile trembled, and she fell into me, her arms wrapping around my chest in a hug that felt like home. Her voice, thick with emotion, pressed against my soul. “You did claim me. With flowers in my hair and moonlight caressing my skin.”
I nudged her head up. “What I felt then, Reyla, grew into this. Into us. I’m yours, now and always. But that day and on that ship? You were mine long before either of us admitted it. Don’t ever doubt it.”
Her lips curved upward. “At least this explains your horrible temper.”
I barked out a laugh, kissing her forehead, a crush of love jolting through my chest. “You’re never going to forgive me for that, are you?”
“Never.” She grinned, then dropped her voice, resting her head against my chest again because it had always belonged there. “I’ll remind myself it’s because you loved me too much even back then.”
“I—”
“King Lorick,” someone cried out in the hall. “King Lorick!”
“Lord Briscalar.” Reyla slid off my lap and tugged her nightgowndown around her thighs. “I should grab my robe.” She scooped up the diary and velvet bag holding the small blade and scooted into the bedroom while I rose and walked to the door, wearing only soft pants hanging low on my hips.
I found a red-faced Lord Briscalar standing in the hall, sputtering. “What is it?”
“I’m terribly sorry to disturb you, my king. My queen!” He peered past me to where I could feel my wildfire coming up behind me. “I knew you’d want to hear this as soon as it was discovered.”
“Tell us.”
“It’s about the queen mother.” The lord’s wild gaze met mine. “She escaped from her rooms.”
49
Reyla
“Act as if we don’t care that she escaped,” Lore told Lord Briscalar. “No, pretend we know where she is and that she’ll soon be locked up—this time with double the wards.” His gaze sought mine. “We’ll hold court as usual.”
“Very well.” Briscalar bowed but paused before opening the door to the hall. “News has arrived about High Lord Zeiger.”
Lore lifted his eyebrows.
“Sadly, his body was found outside the wall. It’s believed the borgons killed him during their attack.”
“I see,” Lore said with a frown. “Please announce his passing to the court and see that his estate is managed until his family can be notified.”
“Very well, my king. I also wish to report that I've accommodatedeveryone's needs.”
“Well done. Tell me more.”
Briscalar’s lips trembled, and his face filled with color at the praise. “All displaced have temporary shelter, and fine goods have smoothed whatever uncertainty that might’ve lingered among those who were…less eager to assist.”
