Just a little. Just enough.
“You’re a Ruakite, too,” she murmured, finally letting him go.
He stared at her, curiosity flickering.
Holding something back.
“Take me with you,” she said suddenly.
His eyes widened.
“Amerei…”
“You’re a Ruakite,” she pressed, raising her chin. “I’ll be safe with you.”
He studied her from under his brow with the kind of look only a brother could give.
“You’re Casqadia’s queen.”
“Then I command it.”
She wiped her tears, already striding toward the door.
But at the edge of the bed, realization struck her. She caught herself, hand seizing the post as if to hold back both her body and the flood within her.
“If his father’s dead, Gabriel… we can’t let him face it alone.”
Gabriel drew in a breath so deep, it made him tremble.
“I know,” he said, brushing past her.
At the door, he turned.
“Butyouhave to tell your father we’re leaving.”
He clenched his jaw.
“Can’t let Storne kill me before Viktor has the chance. After he finds out I trekked you halfway across the realm—”
“Gabriel…” She smiled through the tears. “Thank you.”
He let out a breath and mirrored it—half grin, half grimace.
She shoved him through the doorway.
“Get the horses ready, Captain.”
She followed him into the corridor.
The halls still echoed with the murmurs of servants making sense of what they’d learned.
Amerei whispered a prayer for them.
For Aerdania.
For Viktor.
She entered her chamber, then shut the door. The last time she’d slept in her own room was the night before they’d wed. Viktor’s bed was hers now.
