He bows his head and offers a smile. “Of course,” he replies and walks over to the Goblin King.
All around the room, servants are carrying trays of food, adjusting tapestries, and rushing back and forth like mad. Vivienne has been here less than a day and already taken command of the household.
Some mad part of me wants to laugh until I cannot breathe. Another part wants to drag her into my arms again and never let her go. I thought I was coming to rescue her. Instead, I find her ruling the enemy territory in less than a day.
Gods, she’s amazing.
Vivienne turns and points at one of the servants near the far wall. “Mardyn,” she says. “Please run along to the kitchen and fetch some tea and biscuits for my husband and his warriors, and some dried meat for the Dire wolves, to enjoy while we wait for the food to be ready.”
He bows deeply and then rushes off to do her bidding.
“And have someone hang that painting properly,” she says to another servant, gesturing toward the crooked panel behind the throne. “It has been bothering me for an hour.”
He rushes off to grab a nearby ladder while Branneth closes his eyes briefly. His expression is that of someone who has looked into an abyss and found the abyss staring back with green eyes, red hair, and an iron will that would drive lesser men to madness.
I lean in and whisper in her ear. “Vivienne?”
She turns toward me at once. “Yes?”
When I came here today, I worried I’d find her possibly injured or worse. As I stare deep into her lovely green eyes, relief fills me once more and I drop my forehead to hers. “I love you,” I whisper. “More than anything in this world, me’lira.”
“I love you too, Auren.” A stunning smile curves her mouth. “I knew you’d come for me.”
I curl my arms around her. “Always.”
CHAPTER 52
AUREN
When we’re finished with our meal, King Branneth offers us rooms to stay the night. And while I no longer believe he’s a threat, I’m eager to return to my kingdom, to get Vivienne back home to safety. I sent a raven to Tarin earlier, letting him know what happened, and that we’ll be returning soon.
“I appreciate the offer, but we’ve got a long journey ahead of us and I’d prefer to start it at once.”
“Of course.” He nods. “I’ll have my staff prepare some provisions for your travel.”
“Be sure they include those lemon tarts,” Vivienne says.
His lips twitch in amusement before he sighs. “As you wish.”
Vivienne walks over to one of the servants to ask for some extra dried meat for the wolves. It’s not entirely necessary, since they prefer to hunt when we camp at night, but I know Vaelen appreciates it when she offers him some as a special treat.
Branneth walks over to me. Although I’ve decided to spare his life, I cannot quite let go of all my anger as I recall howVivienne was taken from me. “Our kingdoms will have a treaty,” I tell him. “But if you ever—”
“I know, and I won’t.” He pauses. “Your mate reminded me of something and I… wanted to apologize for what I put you through.” He looks down at his hands. “I know what it is to have someone you love taken from you.” He lifts his gaze back to mine, grief easily read in his features. “I had a human mate… but I lost her.”
His admission stuns me, and I’m not sure what to say. As I gaze around the room at the thorned vines covering the walls, I believe I’m beginning to understand why they’re there.
Before I can say anything, he clears his throat and continues. “I’ll have my advisors put together the things we spoke of, and I’ll come to Valethryn in a few months so we can work out the final details.”
I dip my chin. “We will see you then.”
Branneth’s gaze drifts past me to where Vivienne stands in the middle of his court, directing his staff like a general. One of the Goblins nearly trips over himself trying to keep up.
The Goblin King struggles to hide his amusement as he watches her. I suspect he now understands the fire and iron will that define my wife.
When we leave, he clasps my forearm, and I do the same in return. We are parting not in friendship or forgiveness, but in the acknowledgement of a treaty that may, in time, become something stronger than either.
I help Vivienne onto Vaelen’s back and then climb up behind her. I loop my arm around her waist, and she leans back against me.
