I raised my brow as I peered at their blurry uniforms. ‘Thank you for pointing out the obvious. Otherwise I’d have mistaken them for your harem.’
It was easy to ignore the way the men stared wide-eyed at me through the swirls of my vision.
‘Gentlemen.’
I stifled a laugh at Matthias’s high pitch.
‘I haven’t had the pleasure to introduce everyone. May I present to you your queen.’
Oh Gods, the five guards fell to their knees, heads bowed and fists clenched by their hearts. Mirth danced in Matthias’s eyes, a playful smile on the corner of his lips. The bastard knew I’d hate this. We’d been beaten more than once after hiding behind snivelling courtiers, making fart sounds every time they’d fallen to their knees before Romero.
‘I erm…’ I had to regain the upper hand. ‘I thank you but you can, you know…’
‘Rise,’ Matthias said and, as one, his guard stood. Their brows furrowed. ‘Go ahead and arrange the horses and resources, please. I need to speak to your queen.’
They were a blur of smiling faces and warm voices as they passed, avoiding Pablo who focused his amber gaze on them. My head twisted in Matthias’s direction. Resources?Was he leaving?
‘Where are you going?’
Matthias grimaced, the smile fading from his face. My body clammed up as he closed the gap between us. We hadn’t been alone like this since the night we’d shared Amala’s oversized rooms, and I didn’t like the way my body turned towards him.
‘I’m sorry.’ He swallowed. ‘I have to go and gather support from my council. We need more Anomalies if we’re going to fight the empress, but I swear, I won’t be gone long. A week at the most.’
I hated how my chest pinched at the thought of his absence. It wasn’t as though we’d spent any time together. We hadn’t even been in the same room since I’d arrived.
‘Right.’
His expression softened as my voice cracked.
‘Take care then.’
I should be relieved at the prospect of his trip, so why did this news of his departure cleave another hole in my chest? My heart hammered. I stepped to his side, thinking I’d simply slink past, but his hand flew out, wrapping softly around my wrist. Instantly, Pablo snarled, his canines exposed, harsh gaze locked on my husband’s hand. Matthias’s nostrils flared. Neither of them was prepared to back down. I yanked my arm free, tucking it close to my chest.
‘I was going to find you before I left. I swear.’
I smirked. ‘Of course you were.’
Confusion swept across his features. Matthias looked down, inhaling sharply before looking up again. For a few, frantic heartbeats, my vision held true, while he held me in place with his gaze.
‘I’ve heard you’re sorting my mouse problem. Glesni tells me you’ve got rid of more mice in one week than the whole colony of our four-legged mousers have in the last ten years.’
My spine stiffened. ‘I’ve been training. It hasn’t been easy.’
Matthias reached to take my hand, cursing as Pablo lurched at him.
‘I don’t think kings are supposed to use language like that, Matthias.’ I clicked my tongue.
‘I was hoping you’d be able to control your…mutt.’ He eyed the wolf warily, cradling his hand. ‘He tore my robe the other night.’
‘Robe?’ I shook my head. ‘Why would he do that?’
Matthias’s wide-eyed gaze shot onto mine, his mouth fumbling for the words. ‘I…’ He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I’ve been so busy with rallying support against the threat of Carush. We haven’t had a single moment to talk. By the time I get outof meetings, the servants tell me you’ve already retired.’ He let out a shaky breath. ‘And I know you want space, youneedspace, but then I remember when we were children. I’d sneak into your room or you’d sneak into mine and we’d curl up…’
He looked to the side. A muscle ticked in his jaw as though he were at war with his words. ‘I wanted to see you. You’re my wife, Sorrow, and I’m so tired.’
This.This was why I wasn’t safe when he was around. My pulse spiked, a warning to run. Matthias had tried to reach out to me and my heart and mind battled over what to make of it.
‘What stopped you?’
