My ladies gaped at me standing close to Merrick.
“I’ll see you later, my queen?” he asked with a lilt in his voice that trickled like the warmest horig through me.
“Of course.”
He kissed me, keeping it chaste for my ladies. A damn shame right there. His fingertips trailed down my cheek once more before he strode toward the door, stopping beside my wide-eyed ladies, where he dipped his head forward in a slight bow. “Calista. Moira. Faelith. Such a lovely day, don’t you agree?”
Calista scowled at the bank of windows. “It’s raining. Cold. Miserable if you ask me.”
“Perfect for my fine fellow who adores leaping to catch the raindrops.” Faelith trotted over to grab Farris’s collar and leash off the table and held them out toward him. “Would you like to go for a long, lovely walk, Farris?” Her gaze met mine. “I’ll dress warmly and make sure he has a good run, shall I?”
“Please and thank you.” I could barely look at her. All my focus remained on Merrick.
My husband.
Mine to claim when I was ready.
After shooting me a final grin, Merrick sauntered out into the hall. He called to my guards, using each of their names, and in a jovial voice, wishing them a good morning. His footsteps faded as he made his way to his own suite.
“Well,” Calista said with a downward twist of her lips. “That’s… Yes.” A cool breeze shot through the open door, and she shivered, rubbing her arms. “What would you like to wear today, my queen?”
“I’m going to remain in my suite for the next few days.”
Moira’s breath caught. “Are you well, my queen?”
“I will be.” I rubbed my belly.
Her face cleared. “Ah, yes. Never a pleasant time, now is it?”
I shook my head.
“I think a bath?” She waited for my nod before hurrying to the bathing area, where the gush of water soon rang out.
My ladies hovered over me the entire day, only stepping out when Merrick arrived to craft the potion I gratefully drank.
That night, I roused to find Lorant sitting in a chair close to my bed, his intent gaze on me. Seeing me awake, he lifted me from beneath the blankets and strode to the bathing area, only turning around when I gently asked him to. There was only so much I wanted to reveal—about this messy flow and my heart. When I’d finished, he carried me out to the sitting area, settling on the sofa. He lit the fire and tucked a blanket around me while I curled up on his lap.
He held me.
And when I woke, I was snuggling against Merrick’s chest. Hishead had tilted back to rest on the back of the sofa, and he dozed, his arms still tight around me.
This pattern continued, both of them watching over me. Ensuring I felt almost no pain. Holding me to give comfort.
Days later, I roused at dawn to find myself in Merrick’s arms again, this time with him lying on top of the blankets beside me.
That was when what was left of my walls started to unravel.
14
Reyla
My flow and the cursed pain that came with it had finally left, and I felt ready to emerge from my suite and take on whatever challenge the castle and its inhabitants might offer. It was time to do some solid investigation into the curse as well.
If only I knew where to start.
As he left my suite, Merrick gave me a sweet kiss and a stroke of his fingers across my cheek, stepping out into the hall.
Faelith passed him and took Farris to run around outside and do his nyxin business, while Moira shut the door behind her.
