“My king,” I started, cautious, knowing he was a man of many moods. “I must tell you, I am barren. And maybe more importantly, I am already married.”
“Yes, but that was not a true marriage,” he countered, not addressing my first reason. “I can have you divorced in a day.”
I nodded, smiling. “I know, my king. I am beyond flattered by this proposal. What can a woman say? Would you accept my telling you I must refuse because I love another?”
He squinted at me. Then he looked at Alric. “Him?”
“Yes, my king. Him.”
He shrugged again. “Well, if that is what you want. I could have made you a queen.”
“It is honor enough to be your citizen, highness.”
“Alright. My second question. Though, it is a not a question I have for you, but an answer. You first, must ask the question.” The Shark King seemed pleased with himself.
“Is there a specific question I am to ask, your highness?” I asked.
He blinked. “Oh, yes. Any favor. Ask me any favor and I will grant it.”
I tried to catch Alric’s eye, but he now stared out at the city, brows drawn. I followed his gaze, out over all of those rooftops, still with the left hand flags flying.
“Any favor,” he repeated, now starting to look impatient.
I realized that this offer would be rescinded as soon as he lost interest in playing the benevolent ruler. “I do have a question for you, my king,” I said, spurred on by an idea.
He clapped his hands. “Marvelous. Ask, madam!”
I sat up as straight as I could on the couch. “Your highness, please allow any two Tintarians, who are at their majority, who wish to marry, be married. Any two. Two men or two women. Let us be the first country on the continent to grant this blessing.”
Hinnom crossed his arms, a look of grief passing over his features.
I thought he must be thinking of his Gareth.
“So shall it be, lady,” he said and departed the room without another word.
Alric and I sat, stunned at having our king sit next to us and offer me these things.
I said my husband’s name, but he continued to stare out at Pikestully. I tried again. “Now, if they wish, Anwyn and Vincent can marry. This time by law. As can Quinn and River.”
He nodded, but did not turn to me. He said, “You just turned away a king’s hand in marriage.”
106. Rings
“I am already married,” I responded. “To you.”
Remaining quiet, he still would not turn towards me.
I tried to wait for him to speak, but could not. I said, “Doyounot want to be married?”
Then he turned, eyes wide. “Edith, my gods, you are stubborn. You must choose not to see it, I swear. Why do you think I have spent every spare moment by your side? I prayed over you for days and nights. Why am I here now if not for love of you?”
I bit my tongue inside my mouth, willing myself not to interject, to let him say his piece.
Rueful, his mouth pulled to one side, he said, “I love you, Edith. I know I could not say it before, but, of course, I want to be married to you. Do I not show you enough?”
A childish part of me asked, “Why could you not say it before?”
“I have said it before,” he countered. “I have said it to you by trying to think before I speak. I have said it to you by reading to you and listening to you read. I have said it by trying to meet any need of yours, any want. I have said it by seeking to know who you are. I have said it by telling you things I have never shared with another.”
