She studied me, her teasing smile softening into something warmer. “If you’re not in love with him yet, you’re doing a terrible job of pretending.”
“I do love him.”
She hugged me. “So happy for you both.” Her smile grew. “Should I start calling youmy queennow, or wait until you two make it official?”
I shook my head, unable to hold back my grin. “Stop.”
“You’re so gone for him and I’m thrilled about it. But I came here to deliver a letter, not interrupt. Though if I have to bow, I’ll gladly do so, my queen.”
She produced a folded parchment from her pocket, sealed with plain wax.
“One of the guards said it was sent by courier,” she said as she passed it to me. “I told him I’d deliver it to you.” Her eyes flicked to the door. “I figured you might not want to be disturbed by anyone else. You two deserve this time together.”
I took it from her, noting it had been addressed to Isi Barlowe. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She squeezed my arm. “Try to find some time to sleep while you’re at it.”
“You too. No keeping Derren up late.”
She snorted. “It’ll be the other way around.” Turning, she strode down the corridor, disappearing around the corner.
I stepped back inside and secured the lock.
Trew hadn’t moved, and his broad chest still rose and fell softly. I stood by the door for a moment, the letter clutched in my hand, watching him.
Instead of joining him, I stepped into the bathing chamber, closing the door behind me. The room had cooled, though water remained in the tub. I sat on the stone bench where we’d made love the night before and laid the letter on my thighs.
Commander Thorne’s handwriting.
I stared at it for a very long time, tempted to toss it into the fire. I already had everything I wanted. Why did I need to open this and read what he had to say? But my fingers were already breaking the seal, the release of the wax a sharp snap in the quiet chamber. I unfurled the parchment, revealing seven words in stark black ink.
Addie’s alive.
She’s in your father’s dungeon.
The room tilted.
The words didn’t make sense. They couldn’t. My mind tripped over them, rejected them.Alive?No. No! I’d seen her body. Stood sobbing while her pyre burned. I’d screamed in my bed that night until my throat bled.
My thoughts tangled with her laugh, the sound of her voice saying,don’t let this life break you, Isi.
But I had. I’d let grief shape every choice I made.
My chest seized. I pressed the heel of my hand against it, trying to breathe. If this was a lie, it was a cruel one. But if it wasn’t…
Then every day I’d spent here, every smile, every kiss, every promise I’d whispered to Trew, was built on her suffering.
I’d swear the ink bled straight into my veins. Seven words, and the ground I’d built beneath my feet crumbled.
I read it again.
And again, each time hoping the words would rearrange themselves into something that didn’t shatter my world.
Addie. The sister I’d mourned. The sister whose murder had driven me to this court to find revenge.
Alive.
Imprisoned by our father.
