Page 147 of The Oracle of Dusk

Her lips twitched as she took in the sight of him.

“Don’t be angry, I’m just playing messenger. None of your soldiers dared come up to disturb you, even though they had business with you.”

Theron ran a hand down his face.

“Now?”

Myrina shrugged. He was about to leave the room when he stopped himself. He’d promised to stay by her side while she slept.

“Tell them they can come here if they must, but that if they wake her, they’ll pay in blood.”

Myrina’s amber eyes sparkled. She kissed him on the cheek.

“I’m so happy for you, my little lion.”

Unease stole through him. Nothing this good ever lasted. He wanted to be the man Aurora seemed to see when she looked at him, but in his heart of hearts, he knew he fell far short. What if he wasn’t capable of being what she expected? Before Myrina left, he grabbed her wrist. He was a young man once again, lost and alone in a world that no longer made sense.

“Aunty, I don’t know how to be a good man.”

He didn’t know anything about being a good husband. About nurturing something worth having between a man and a woman. He’d never expected to feel more than simple respect for his future wife, provided she proved herself to be an equally good queen. Those plans had gone up in smoke the moment Aurora had been named his fated. Now he felt adrift, new responsibilities he’d never prepared for suddenly thrust upon him, just as they had been when Tisander had died. What if he failed her the same way he’d failed his brother?

Her brows knit with concern.

“My sweet boy, you’ve always been a good man.”

He shook his head. He wasn’t. He was greedy and prideful, manipulative and petty, guarded and cruel. If Aurora had had anyone in all of Trisia to look after her wellbeing, they would have warned her off him. Myrina always wanted to see him in the best light, no matter what he did. But Myrina knew of his flaws. She knew something of the horrible, cruel, calculating things he’d done as king. How could she call him a good man with a straight face?

“You know that’s not true.”

She smiled and took his hand in hers.

“Do youwantto be a good man, a good husband, for her?”

Theron snuck a glance at Aurora, peaceful and trusting in sleep. His heart warmed unexpectedly. It alarmed him at the same time as it brought an ache in his chest. Love was a dangerous weakness for a king. She would be the target of all his enemies looking to destroy him. Could he really afford this feeling? If he loved, he would put a target on her back. If he loved, he could be hurt in ways he’d guarded against his whole adult life. But was it even possible to ignore it, now that they were bound? News of their union would soon be known throughout all of Trisia. If this was to work between them, to become something they treasured rather than regretted, he had to at least try—right?

“Yes,” he answered.

“Then let yourself love her. Allow her to know you, so that she can love you in turn. Be brave, my little lion. I promise the rewards are worth the risks.”

Was he even capable of the depth of trust and feeling his aunt spoke of? It always seemed like something only those less burdened with responsibility and power could indulge in. Even his parents, who had cared for each other after a fashion, had only truly loved Tisander. Just as he had. And look what good that had done them—their heartbreak had weakened their reign. Theron’s own heartbreak had been a black cloud that he carried every day, locked in a box in his heart that he tried never to open. What if something happened to Aurora?

His throat tightened at the thought. He pushed it away.

“Thank you. It’s not the answer I wanted but…thank you,” Theron sighed.

She squeezed his hand.

“I’ll let them know to attend you.”

Theron found a red tunic in the room’s wardrobe and stripped out of his kilt. Much as he loved her little marks, they were for his eyes only. No one else deserved to see the gifts she’d given him. Once he was newly attired, he sat beside Aurora on the bed, a hand on her shoulder. She shifted position, snaking her hand over his thigh, her little nails digging into him possessively. He smiled. Theron pulled the cover up to tuck it below her chin. She wouldn’t like it if strangers saw her in this state.

The moment was interrupted by Nireus, commander of his soldiers, tip-toeing into the room when he saw Theron’s scowl.

The commander bowed.

“Glory to the sun of Aureum.”

Theron cleared his throat and tipped his head at Aurora. Nireus’ dark eyes widened.

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