I nodded slowly and started to pull my hands away. If he didn’t want anything from me besides a broken curse, I needed to not get attached. It would be hard, though. He might be an insanely powerful ruler, but he’d been considerate and kind to me. I could have learned to love him very easily.
He grabbed my hands before I finished pulling them away. “Additionally—” He dragged the word out as if hesitating about what he might say after it. “Additionally, I will not give any other woman the attention that ought to be saved for my wife. I did not bind my heart to yours with magic, but I will not divide it with poor choices. You will not be forced to endure any affections from me, but I will not spend them on anyone else either.”
Rat chose that moment to crash onto my shoulder and squawk for food.
“Stupid bird,” I muttered as Bylur let go of my hands. “We were having a moment.” The bird had probably saved me—Bylur’s words melted my heart. I was in more danger of falling in love with my husband than ever before. It was like he knew exactly what to say to unlock all my emotions.
Bylur’s chuckle told me he’d already started walking away.
I spun toward his soft laugh. “Bylur?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. And I’d still like to help with your council, if you can think of anything I can do.”
“I’ll think on it. And you were probably right before. Dearan might avoid you so nobody thinks he is trying to sneak around me. But Dearan is safe. He’s very honorable.” His voice shifted, moving behind me. “You can open your eyes. And turn around.” I spun toward him but only saw a wall of swirling shadows. “Good night, Auria.”
* **
The next morning, a fresh parchment sat in the middle of the desk behind our sitting room. On top of the parchment, lay a stunning white flower with three large petals atop a grass-like stem. Bylur had written “Snowdrop” across the top of the paper and drawn an arrow to the flower. Under the title, he’d added these notes:
* Beautiful
* Strong—can survive being frozen and thawed
* In small doses, can ease pain and headaches (when no fae with healing skills are available)
* In large doses, poisonous
It was a pretty little thing to be compared to, but the note made it especially meaningful. He thought I was strong, beautiful, dangerous, and helpful. The note was sweet and my heart fluttered at the generous words. Even thepoisonousline seemed like it came with an unorthodox admiration.
I wanted to return the gesture—to make his heart light with compliments—but I couldn’t. If only I knew enough about plants to pick out a flower for him!
I uncapped his ink jar, dipped a pen, and added a question to the bottom of the parchment.
If I’m a snowdrop, what flower would you be?
* **
The next morning, I rushed to see if he’d answered my question. Seeing a new flower on a new parchment filled my whole body with a warm happiness. He didn’t have to answer my questions, but he was letting me into his world with each answer. And I secretly hoped that he enjoyed the writing of it, since he’d told me he wrote in his own journal to relax.
This page was labeled “Ranunculus,” and the flower was a bright red blossom with layers and layers of paper-thin petals.
* Too bold to hide
* Temperamental (very particular about growing temperatures and soil)
* Ancient origins
* Poisonous
I pursed my lips and read the list twice. His tone didn’t sound particularly positive. I pulled out his ink jar again and added two of my own to the list:
* Beautiful
* Inspiring
Maybeinspiringwasn’t a particularly great description, but I wasn’t ready to tell him that he’d brought happiness and comfort into my life. That just felt too personal. But I wasn’t leaving his list all negative either.
