Page 112 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“What’s this?” The ring. I hadn’t taken it off. Her brows were in her hair, and my heart was in my throat. I pulled my hand back.

“It’s nothing.” I crossed my arms, tucking the evidence away.

“Emmeline, it looks like something. Somethingof consequence.” I felt my lips tug upwards in a smile.

“I haven’t told him yes.” I was still thinking about everything, about how it would work going forward, if I could accept being a queen one day, how Elora would feel. I hadn’t even spared a second thought about all of the issues that would come from the Myriad and his mother.

“You also haven’t told him no.” She studied me for a moment. I debated taking the ring off and leaving it on my nightstand, only temporarily, to avoid questions until I made up my mind, but I decided against it. It was rather beautiful, and after last night, it wasn’t in me to part with such a beautiful gift from him, no matter how fleeting it might come to be.

“I haven’t. Let’s go eat.”

Itturnedouteveryonein the house had slept past breakfast, all of us recovering from the road, so Sterling organized a full lunch. Dewalt and Rainier already sat at the table and had started in on their plates, loaded full of meats and pastries—the fruit on the table neglected. I let out a snort at the sight, and they both glanced up at me as I walked into the dining room, Mairin at my side. Dewalt’s jaw dropped, and the grip on his fork went slack. Rainier jumped to his feet, actually stumbling as he pulled out my chair for me. Startled by the impression I made, I hesitated before stepping forward.

“I know I’ve looked rough the last few days, but—” Rainier interrupted my nervous jest, placing a kiss on my temple, his hand on my waist.

“Every day, you shine, but especially so right now.”

When he grabbed my hand and pulled it toward his mouth, kissing my knuckles, his eyes met mine, and I felt myself smile. I didn’t know what to do with all of my feelings. Once I sat, Rainier hovered over me, grabbing a plate and filling it, pointing to each item spread before us to see if I wanted it.

“I can do that, you know.” Ignoring me, he continued to load my plate with a little bit of everything.

Mairin stood on my other side, selecting her food as well. At one point, both of them stood over me, and I stared across the table at Dewalt in bored annoyance, and he grinned.

“You are radiant, Emma.” I raised a brow as Dewalt bit into a puff pastry, no small amount of delight on my face when he got cream on his nose. “I’m serious! No offense, but you’ve looked like shit on the road. You clean up nice.” Rainier chuckled as I barked out an obnoxious laugh, my hand raising to my mouth to cover it, when Dewalt’s eyes widened. His facial expression changed so many times in less than a minute, ranging from sad to shocked to happy, and it took me too long to realize why. I was sure it was hard for him to see me, twin to his lost love, happily wearing an engagement ring. A reminder of what he’d never have. When his expression landed on happy, he lifted his eyes, about to ask a question. I gave the slightest of head shakes, and he closed his mouth, brows furrowed. I wanted to speak to him privately before I decided; the barefooted country boy who became a duke might have valuable insight for me. I mouthed the wordstalk laterto him, and he gave me the slightest nod before digging back into his food. Rainier finally lowered my plate in front of me, food stacked on it so high I’d be lucky if it didn’t tumble off the plate onto the table.

“Where’s Lavenia?” I gave a happy wiggle as I bit into a delicious pastry with some sort of raspberry cream filling in it.

“Getting ready for court. She always takes a long time to pick out her wardrobe,” Dewalt explained between bites of cured ham.

“Our mother always has some sort of critique for us, and despite the fact she’s thirty-two years old, Lavenia hasn’t learned to ignore her.” Rainier offered me a glass of orange juice, which I declined, content with the coffee in front of me.

“And what she says to Lavenia is about what she wears?”

“Well, Lavenia makes sure that is what she talks about.” Dewalt snorted across the table from me as Rainier continued explaining. “Our mother is always going to have something to say; Lavenia just makes sure it’s about her clothing and nothing else.”

“The critique used to be about me until this new strategy.” Dewalt gave me a devilish grin from across the table.

“Does she not like you?” Dewalt was generally carefree and friendly to most everyone he met, only showing his prickly attitude to people he was comfortable around. I couldn’t imagine someone not liking him, even if it was the Queen of Vesta. Chills moved down my back when I realized if Rainier had his way, that would eventually be my title.

“Not in the slightest. And you should prepare yourself for the same treatment.” He chuckled as Rainier shot him a glare.

“No, you shouldnot. My mother is abrasive on her best days when you get to know her. But she had to be, being married to my father. She dislikes Dewalt, no offense brother, because he isn’t serious.” Dewalt shrugged and nodded before stabbing a piece of sausage. “She believes he acts rashly, and it could hurt Ven.” Before his friend could interject, the hurt and frustration on his face apparent, Rainier held up a hand to quiet him. “A belief not shared by me. With you, Em, I believe that once everything is explained to her, she will see in you what I do. In the meantime, I suggest giving back what you receive in kind.”

“What is it you see in me, exactly?” I teased, not expecting an answer.

“I see a deliberate and intentional woman. A fierce protector and determined warrior. I see someone completely unaware of just how important and worthy they are.” His hand slid on top of mine as Mairin made a choking sound next to me. Dewalt put his fork down forcefully and stood up.

“I’m going to vomit.” He picked his plate up, walking it into what I assumed was the kitchen.

“Oh, don’t leave me here!” Mairin called after him, laughing.

“If your mother sees all those things in me, you might just have some competition.” I gave him a silly smile as he threw back his head and laughed.

Afterwefinishedeating,I requested a tour of Rainier’s home. Popping our heads into the kitchen, I met Deandra and Mellise, who were running around cleaning up before they shooed us out quickly, not ones to have their space invaded. Hand on the small of my back, he guided me through the living room to another hallway that led to a more formal living area, complete with a grand staircase. It appeared to be the front entryway, and I laughed to myself when I realized we had yet to use the front door. Upstairs, there were four different suites with yet another living space that opened up to a balcony over the back garden. He took me into one of the empty suites, and I was surprised, not having realized just how massive the rooms were. The one we were in was almost as big as Rainier’s room downstairs, a bookcase on one wall and a wardrobe on the other with a large four-poster bed in between. The bathroom, shared with the suite next to it, had a giant claw-footed tub, deep enough to fully sink into. The view of the two suites looked out over the back garden, a trellis underneath the window that I knew would be covered in purple blooms come summer.

“This could be Elora’s room.” He was leaning forward, his hands on the windowsill as he gazed down at the flowers. I walked over to the bookcase, my fingers tracing along the spines, as I lost myself in thought.

“What if I say yes, and Elora hates it here? What if she hates my decision, hates all of it? Then what do I do?” Eyeing him over my shoulder, I watched as his brows furrowed, his focus on the garden below.

---