‘What would you have me do, Sorrow?’ My resolve fissured as his voice cracked. ‘He wanted you dead. Thrown to the God. A gift for Vyrus. I failed you once. I couldn’t do it again.’
‘Butmarriage, Matthias? Yourwife? I wasn’t given a say in the matter.’
His body slumped behind me with a frustrated exhale. When he spoke, his tone was raw.
‘After everything that’s happened – after what I did—’ He took in another deep breath, before straightening. ‘Marriage to me is the last thing you want. That’s evidently clear, but our hands were tied. I had to get you out. And yes’ – he huffed out a short laugh, blowing a strand of my hair – ‘I know you’d have tried to escape the Tower, but to do what no one else has ever,everachieved? I couldn’t sleep. I barely ate.’
My breath hitched. He’d been worried? The thought knocked the air from my lungs.
‘So…’ He leaned back, and I shivered, missing his warmth. ‘I swear to you, our marriage will be one of convenience.’
I swallowed. A marriage in name only.
‘I’d hoped…I thought…I’m sorry, but you’ll have to marry me or he’ll haul you back to the Tower – it was one of the conditions of the treaty.’ Matthias sucked in a breath. ‘We won’t…consummate it. Then, when this is over, when there’s no more threat from Carush, we’ll go our separate ways. I’ll set you up with everything you need. Everything you want. As long as you’re happy, that’ll be enough for me.’
I stilled. This was what I wanted, surely. So why did my chest tighten? I closed my eyes, fighting the urge to lean back into him.
‘You gave up part of your council in return for my life?’
His gloved hand brushed mine. I flinched, tugged it away.
‘You’d have done the same for me.’
‘No, I wouldn’t.’
He leaned forward and, turning my head, I caught sight of his expression. A wry grin lifted the corner of his full lips.
‘Are you telling me,’ he asked, ‘you’d let them throw me into the molten lava? Stand by as I suffer a horrendously ghastly death?’
‘Of course I wouldn’t just stand by.’ I watched Matthias’s fingers relax their hold on the reins and my mouth curled upwards. ‘I’d fucking push you in.’
Matthias laughed. A deep rich rumble ran through me as I blocked out how much I loved that sound.
CHAPTER 9
One recent theory from a Drufaeran researcher claims the deadly fogs should be monitored, as there is a strong possibility they originate in unmined areas possibly containing untapped bounties of pure Vyrium. As the researcher in question is female, obviously this theory requires further studies in order to validate its reliability.
— PROFESSOR JAMESTON’S ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF TOXIC FOGS
Cursing, I clipped the chain around Pablo’s neck, avoiding his confused stare. I lay my head against his, my eyes closed.
‘It’s only for a little bit,’ I told him, scratching behind his ears. Peering over my shoulder, I blinked at the hazy forms of Matthias and his captain, their arms crossed as they stood before the wooden chapel they’d discovered in a small village along our route.
Apparently, Matthias possessed a worrying eagerness to cement this damned union. On his way to intercept Romero, he’d discovered a chapel with a friendly priest more than willingto marry the king of Asmar to Drufaera’s stepdaughter. I wiped my palms on my crumpled dress. I thought I’d have time to adjust to the idea of becoming his bride. Hisqueen…
Matthias’s plans were almost scuppered the moment the priest laid his terrified eyes on Pablo. His initial friendliness evaporated as he refused to allow us anywhere near his chapel. When Matthias suggested chaining up the wolf, I told him I’d do the same to him, only to have my rebuff met with raucous hollers from his guards. With my cheeks burning, I’d grabbed the chain and tied Pablo to a nearby oak.
I lay my forehead against the wolf’s.
‘What do I do, Pab? How do I escape?’
He snorted, a growl rumbling through his slate grey chest. Ignoring his snarl, I wrapped my arms around his neck, inhaling his musky scent.
‘If I do this, I’ll have some semblance of freedom. If I don’t…’ I’d be a Tribute for Vyrus. I buried my face into his neck. ‘I swear, when we get to Asmar, I give you permission to sit on his stupid throne and cover it with fur.’
Pablo whined, the sound tearing a hole in my chest as I stood.
‘And maybe you can leave him a stinky little present in his boot.’ He yipped his satisfaction. I turned towards the chapel, smoothing down the wrinkles in my dress. ‘Or a big one.’
