Grandfather… One day I will see you again.
I think I’ve had enough for now. This is too much.
I pulled away from Kane and pressed two fingers to my chest. Liora appeared almost instantly from the crowd.
“Your Majesty,” I said, turning to Kane.
He relaxed back on his throne, the carafe still in his hand. He arched an eyebrow at me. It was the first time I had regarded him by his rightful title.
“I would like to retire for a little before…” My voice faded as heat crawled up my neck.
I didn’t need to finish the sentence.
His smirk softened into something unreadable, and he gave a small nod.
I stood, and the revelry stopped for a moment as fae stumbled to stand with me. “Thank you all. I'm going to retire for a bit.”
“Rest up before the king keeps you up all night!” the dwarf yelled, laughter causing the surrounding fae to join him.
I quickly dashed behind Liora, leaving the banquet hall, my chest tight with fear.
How was I supposed to lie with the fae who murdered my husband?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kane
Anna flutteredover to the desk in the corner of my chambers and sat on the edge. “You don't have to do this.”
I grabbed the decanter and poured myself wine. Soon Deirdre would arrive at my chambers, and we would have to lie with one another, whether we wanted to or not.
Hopefully, the little thorn didn’t try to kill me in the process.
“Yes, I do,” I said for the third time.
“She is still grieving.”
After downing the drink, I poured another. The savory spiced notes lingered on my tongue. “How long would you like me to wait? Six months? A year? Until she's old and weathered?”
“She's our new queen. She's not ready for this. She just—”
“I know what happened. I was there.”
Anna launched off the desk and flew in front of my face, her translucent wings beating rapidly.
“She's not your enemy,” Anna whispered.
“No, but I’m hers.”
Noises sounded outside the bedroom.
“The priests are here.” After gulping down the rest of the wine, I placed the goblet on the glass tray.
Anna looked at me and I turned away from her, not wanting to see the hurt in her eyes. This was part of the process. A necessary requirement of the marriage pact and one Deirdre’s people would have prepared her for.
“Leave,” I ordered, not wanting a pixie audience for this awkward event.
Anna flew toward the secret entrance in my room and pushed on the panel on the wall before disappearing.
