I gave her a thin stare. Her words of encouragement would have sounded moreencouragingif she hadn’t left out one noticeable thing. “You didn’t mention yourself.”
She retracted her hand, and an uneasy look entered her eyes. “Myself… well, things are a little different for me. I’m thecousin.”
I didn’t like the gloomy shift in her tone. “You’ve always been my cousin. You sound like that might change.”
“Let’s just say things will be different for me from here on.”
Gods. Something else was going on. And it seemed she needed the break of the evening just as much as I did. “What’s happening, Emabelle?”
She relaxed her shoulders and released a long sigh. “Your mother wants me to marry one of the lords from the Barron family.”
My eyes widened. From what I remembered, the Barrons loathed my mother and grandmother because they were mages. They only sucked up to my father because of his good standing with the king. “Why would Mother suggest such a thing?”
“Firstly, they’re interested in my father’s old saw mill.” She smiled without humor. “It’s the one thing I own in this world, but I must marry to claim it.”
My stomach dipped. “I didn’t know that.”
“It’s a condition of my inheritance. And I guess the next reason your mother wants me to marry one of the Barrons is to make sure I’m well taken care of. Marrying one of them will mean I’ll want for nothing. I suppose if things get bad after King Varis dies, being associated with a family like the Barrons will keep me safe.”
She meant because she was raised by mages and lived in a magic born household. “You need to do what keeps you safe.”
“I’m running off with Phillipe,” she blurted in one breath.
Her words hit me like a misstep on a darkened stairwell. I gripped the edge of the bench. “What? You what?”
“You heard me.” She lowered her voice and glanced over her shoulder at Borsai, checking he hadn’t heard. He was too far away, but I understood her concern.
Phillipe was the sea merchant’s son. Mother would never allow it.
“Are you crazy?”
“Yes.” She laughed off key, then sighed. “But seriously, I love him. I’ve been seeing him in secret for seven years. I’ve decided I want to be with him.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am, and please don’t tell anyone. I know I have nineteen days until your memory rests, but I?—”
“I won’t say a word,” I cut her off and nodded. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you. I just wanted to be sure.”
“When is this happening?”
Her eyes brightened. “Next time he’s in port. So, two months’ time.”
“That’s soon. I… won’t see you.”
She smirked and waved me off. “Don’t be silly. I’ll find a way. I’ll always find a way. Phillipe knows his way around everywhere. He’ll make sure I see you.”
“Will you be okay? What if something happens?”
“I don’t care. I’m doing it, Elariya.” The determination in her eyes gave me goose bumps. “I won’t marry anyone else. You won’t remember, but I tried over the years to see other people. But Phillipe is the one for me. I’d rather be poor and live at sea, than marry a man I don’t love. Let alone a Baron. They hate us.”
My insides tightened, and my thoughts drifted back to my own situation. “You shouldn’t have to marry someone you don’t love. I’m wondering the same about myself.”
Her shoulders went rigid, and she straightened, as if righting herself. “Elariya, it’s not going to be like that for you. Thayden adores you.”
“But… doIadore him?” As soon as the question left my lips, I felt exposed. But this was Emabelle, the one person I’d share all my secrets with. And she’d just shared one hell of a secret with me.
