Page 174 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

Diaan went very still and I almost abandoned the query, but no… it had to be said. “I’m very grateful for all that you’re doing, and this feels very precious. But I’m surprised. Why would you… Are you… I know you wanted him—”

Diaan snorted to interrupt me. “Dear girl, that was months ago. And I wanted what I did not have in a husband of my own—as we can all see now.” She waved a hand as if shooing a fly, but I didn’t miss the pinch around her eyes. “I am trying to offer what I wish had been offered to me… back when I still had hope.”

She stared at me baldly—a little bit as if she challenged me to challenge her. But I’d spent enough time with her recently to know that she was vulnerable, not lying.

I was touched. “Thank you,” I repeated.

“No, no, thank you,” she insisted. “There are women pouring into the palace, and indeed, the Keep, every day since they’ve heard about the female Furyknight.”

That killed some of my joy. Not because the women were here, but because I was no longer unnoticed. “I can’t imagine where they heard about that?” I said dryly.

Diaan flapped a hand again and winked at me. “I wouldn’t know, but I can’t say I am disappointed. Be happy, Bren. You are leading into the future—a future where women will work alongside men if they so choose. And will be respected for their merit, rather than their fertility. If I cannot have a loyal husband, I can at least usher in a new age of unity. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I do,” I said, and smiled.

“You should be proud of yourself, Bren. Very few men will ever tell you to value what you’ve achieved. Even fewer will acknowledge it at all. But I see what you’ve become—and perhaps more importantly, what you will become. And I applaud it. Keep going.”

I was touched. I didn’t know what to say. Before I found words, there was a knock at the door and we both turned. A moment later, the maids ushered in Ronen who looked very smart in a nobleman’s suit. And who I’d chosen to walk me through the chapel to Donavyn for the vows.

I blushed when I saw him, not because he looked so handsome—though he did—but because his eyes grew round at the sight of me.

He muttered something about looking sideways as he bowed over my hand, but I didn’t quite catch it, then he straightened and gave me a hug.

There was a great bustle and hum as the maids straightened my train and gave me advice on how to sit, and hurriedly warned Ronen not to step on my skirt, but then, finally, the queen hurried off ahead of us so she could be seated in the place of honor, and Ronen ushered me out the door and down the hallway.

We’d been instructed to walk slowly, so the queen wouldn’t be flustered when she reached the hall. So Ronen kept our pace slow. We didn’t talk much at first as I tried to tell myself this was all real.

Donavyn. I was going to marry Donavyn.

I walked through the palace feeling pretty. And we would have a week to spend alone in the hunting cottage? I couldn’t quite breathe through the thoughts.

But then my heart sank, because I realized… I was marrying Donavyn. A moment I’d dreamed about since I was a young girl…

Ronen cleared his throat. “Why does your face look sad, Bren?” he asked me quietly, eyeing the guards along the wall as if they’d try to intrude. “I know the bond is already concrete, but if you don’t want to do this—”

“No, no! It’s not that. I can’t wait to marry Donavyn,” I said honestly. “It’s just… this whole day has been with the queen and maids and… I wish my mother were here. That’s all.”

Ronen frowned. “I wish you’d said something. We could have sent her a message.”

“No,” I shook my head. “I did think about it, but no. She wouldn’t have been able to come without bringing my father. And I don’t want him here.”

“Ah, well… in that case. I’m glad to say that the queen was right,” he said with a small smile.

“Right about what?”

Ronen’s smile grew as he led me around a corner in the grand hallway—near the doors into the royal chapel—and there was a small cluster of people there.

“About this,” Ronen said, then opened his arm and the clutch of people parted to reveal my mother, standing there with a bouquet of flowers, her hair done and wearing a simple but beautiful navy dress, weeping.

“Mother!” I gasped and ran for her, almost tripping on my skirts as I ran into her arms.

“Bren!” She squeezed me so hard I couldn’t breathe. But it turned out, I could cry.

We held each other for long minutes, both weeping, whispering as I asked her if Father was here and she assured me that he wasn’t—that the queen had summoned her.

“I thought I was to be judged or… or imprisoned!” she said, pulling away from me, laughing through her tears and wiping her eyes. “Would you believe, they sent armed guards and they held me in a carriage!”

I turned, looking for the queen, but of course, she would be inside by now. I had to remember to thank her later. I took my mother’s hands and laughed through more tears. “I’m so glad that you’re here!”