As the gentlemen discussed their plans, I tried to keep my eyes open, but as the night wore on I knew if I had to stay any longer I would fall asleep at the table.Raleigh was also searching for an exit, so the moment I finally let my head droop he was on his feet.
‘Why, look at you, my darling.You’re exhausted.You don’t need to endure the plans of boring men.Allow me to escort you back to your room.’
He offered his arm as always, but this time I actually took it.Beneath his magnificently billowing sleeves, his arm felt slimmer than expected.The knowledge was strangely intimate.
‘I don’t mind, my love,’ I forced out.‘I’d never sleep again if it meant I could spend every moment with you.’
‘Oh, Clara, whatever did I do to deserve your perfect sweetness?Apologies, gentlemen.I must excuse myself.If you need anything, Enrique will be more than happy to oblige.’
Enrique made a face to say he was nowhere close to being happy to oblige, but nodded wordlessly, which I had to admire.
‘Is there a room where we might rest?’Lukas asked.‘I know it’s early, but the road really does take a toll, you know.’
Raleigh made no attempt to disguise the fact that he found the request to be deeply tedious.‘Make up some rooms for them,’ he said.
‘Ra— Your Serene Highness,’Enrique began, ‘I’m not sure—’
‘Not you.’Raleigh waved his hand vaguely and the energy in the room shifted slightly.I shot Moira an outraged glare.After all these months of cleaning my room to avoid her complaints of extra work, it never occurred to me I could have just asked the castle to make my bed for me.‘There are adjoining rooms made up on the first floor.Enrique, you’ll have to take them there.You’ll know where to go.Now, if you don’t mind, I have a bride who requires my attention.’
Raleigh whisked me away then, back into the protective fold of the corridors.But even after the whoops and jeers following us died away, he didn’t drop his arm.He spoke in a whisper I could only just make out through the silence.‘Keep the pretence a little longer.Just in case.’
I didn’t argue; I was in no hurry to let go of his arm.It almost felt like a shame when we reached my room.Raleigh lingered in the doorway, and I hovered on the other side, delaying shutting him out.‘It would be safer if you stayed,’ I said.
The barest trace of a shadow passed over him.‘I shouldn’t.Moira may kill them if I leave them alone too long.’I couldn’t tell if he was joking.‘You should be safe enough up here.’
I tried to smile.‘That’s not especially reassuring.’
‘No,’ he said, ‘I suppose not.’He didn’t return my smile.‘Sleep with one of your crucifixes if you need to.Just …’ He pursed his lips.‘Whatever happens, pretend you love me.’
What?
‘Raleigh, what is going on?Why do we have to pretend we’re in love?’I stumbled over the last words and hoped he didn’t notice.
‘I’ll explain later.’
I didn’t believe him.‘What’s going to happen at the end of the year?This has something to do with our deal, doesn’t it?’
For a moment I deluded myself into thinking he would actually answer me.Instead he turned around and opened the door.‘Just stay safe.Please.’
He slipped away before I could protest any further, leaving me more alone and more confused than I had felt in months.
I’d barely managed to fall asleep when I rose from my bed again.The air around me felt sweet, pillowy.Was I dreaming?I must have been.Why else would my body be moving without my input?I crossed to the window and drew back the curtains.
Ah, there was Lukas.Beautiful Lukas.
He was silhouetted by moonlight, golden hair billowing like a halo around his head as he waited for me in the cold, two hundred feet from the ground.I wasn’t surprised.My heart called to him, welcomed him.Somehow it felt inevitable: him,us.I undid the latch and let him in.
I was overjoyed to have him near, thrilled when he alighted in my room.His beauty was overwhelming.I sighed softly when he crooked a finger under my chin, coaxing me closer.His touch was everything I craved and yet I longed for more.
‘Raleigh really didn’t entrance you, then,’ he mused.‘How fun.’He slid an arm around my waist, tilting me back so that my full weight was balanced on his arm.His lips hovered tantalisingly close to my throat.I closed my eyes, leaning into the touch.
‘Do you really love Raleigh?’he asked.
Love Raleigh?In my mind’s haze I tried to place what the words meant.They conjured up something familiar to me, but I no longer understood it.No deal.No queen.
‘Love Raleigh?’I repeated back dreamily.
‘Tell me the truth,’ Lukas whispered.He dipped his chin, his lips burning like ice at my throat.I felt the warm metal of Moira’s necklace brush against him …
