Page 14 of Ruling the Green

That apathy, though, rushed out of my body like a wave when I lifted the veil.

Not only because she was absolutely stunning with her long, dark hair, flawless skin, blue eyes, tipped nose, and pouty lips.

No.

Because the woman at the altar in a gown and veil? That was not Gemma Grimwood.

I’d only met the woman twice in my life. Both times, she’d been the most unpleasant woman in the room. But while this woman could pass for Gemma from afar with the same height, dark hair, and weight. But unless Gemma had gone through extensive spellwork to change her appearance, there was no way it was the same woman.

It was the moment I should have spoken up, should have called out Grimwood, called off the wedding.

At the end of the day, though, I didn’t care who I married. And I didn’t need to watch my father have another man dragged off to be tortured for all eternity. And possibly even his daughter. I didn’t need that shit on my conscience when it didn’t matter who stood next to me at political events.

So I stuck the tiara on her head, made sure the whole thing was official, then grabbed my new wife and pulled her inside where Vishen was waiting.

“Who the hell is that?”

“My new wife.”

“I saw that. But that’s not Gemma Grimwood.”

“I’m aware.”

“Why did you go through with it?”

“Does it really matter who she is?” I asked as my wife stood there mutely, gaze sliding between us as we spoke.

“I guess not. And I guess anyone is better than that toxic witch Grimwood spawned. What’s your name?” he asked, looking at the woman.

Her mouth opened, closed, her brows knitted, and she shook her head.

“Did he cut out her tongue?” Vishen asked.

“What?” I hissed, never having considered that.

“Trust me, I’ve heard of Grimwood doing far worse.”

“Did he cut out your tongue?” I asked, looking back at the woman.

She shook her head, parted her lips, then pointed inside, and did a one-handed shrug.

“Did he give you something?” Vishen asked.

To that, he got a nod.

“Did it taste like flowers?” he pressed.

He got a more eager nod at that.

Vishen looked back at me. “Bellhush.”

“A flower?”

“It’s heavily distilled from the flowers, but yes.”

“How do you know that?”

“They’re used by the military.”