Page 113 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“I don’t think it’s possible she would hate it, but on the off-chance she does, I suppose you both could go to Crown Cottage until she came of age or changed her mind.” The thought filled me with such intense agony I knew it wouldn’t be an option for me, and I wouldn’t ship her away from me. No, Crown Cottage wasn’t acceptable. It was either Ravemont or Astana.

“Would she have a tutor?” He crossed the room to stand near me, observing as I slid one of the books out.

“She could. If that’s what you wanted.”

“Where would we go after your father . . .? Would we have to go to the palace?” He put his hands on my hips and nuzzled against my neck from behind, his warm body pressing against mine.

“Considering we would be king and queen, we would do whatever we wanted. But I’d think we would have residences at both, for convenience’s sake.” His lips trailed down the column of my neck.

“Do I have a garden full of my favorite flowers at the palace?” He kissed the base of my neck as his arm wrapped around my waist, drawing me into him.

“We will convert every single one. I’ll have the gardeners start tonight—just give me the word.”

The word. Telling him yes. Accepting that to be with Rainier, I would eventually become a queen to thousands.

“What if the people hate me? What if they decided my head would be better off in a basket?” He stilled for a moment before continuing his ministrations across my exposed upper back.

“They won’t,” he replied simply, not offering anything else. I turned in his arms to face him, lacing my fingers behind his neck.

“How do you know?”

“If they love you only a drop as much as I do, they’ll think of you as the greatest queen Vesta has ever seen.” I snorted.

“Most of the people have only seen your mother as queen. There are only a few conduits even able to draw a comparison.” No mortal alive had ever seen a change in rulers.

“Then you see how low the bar is, Emmeline.” His smile and his words drew a cackle from me, and I flushed before immediately feeling guilty.

“Your mother is fair; she is not a bad queen. You shouldn’t say such things.”

“No, you’re right. My mother is not a bad queen. But she is not good enough to make up for what my father lacks.”

“And you think I’d be able to make up for what you lack?”

“I don’t think, Iknow. We are two halves of one soul, Em. Who could be more suited to the task?” His head dipped, and he pressed his forehead against mine. “You know how this ends; I don’t know why you’re questioning it.”

“You just said it yourself. Someone has to balance you out.” I kissed him, allowing my tongue to explain the rest.

Chapter 36

Afewhourslater,after a thorough tour of the house and grounds, we met Dewalt and Lavenia in the entryway of the estate. Lavenia looked equal parts breathtaking and scandalous. She did not wear a dress but instead wore black high-waisted pants which stopped just above her ankles. Ankles I was sure she would break considering the height of the black heels she wore. She paired the rest of her outfit with a closely tailored black jacket on top with a thin slip of a chemise underneath. Half of her braids had been pulled up into a round bun while the rest hung down. She took one look at her brother, and I watched her features screw up in annoyance.

“We match.” A small giggle escaped my lips as I realized Rainier was also dressed head to toe in black.

“If you’d have joined us earlier, you would have known that and had time to do something about it.” His sister rolled her eyes.

“Let’s just get this over with.” Dewalt stared at me with such a glazed-over expression of irritation it dawned on me just how often he would have to mediate between the two of them, and I felt a bit of pity for him.

Rainier opened a rift in front of us into a rather cavernous bedchamber, gesturing for his sister to lead the way. Lavenia stepped through, followed by Dewalt, and Rainier grabbed my hand as we crossed into the rift, closing it once all four of us were firmly in the room. His fingers brushed against the ring on my hand, and he twirled it for a moment. I tensed, worried that my lack of answer was upsetting him. I wanted to say yes, truly, but the thought was so daunting that I needed more time. Leaning down, he spoke quietly in my ear, clear in his intention that whatever he had to say would stay between us.

“Unless you intend to give me an answer now, give me the ring; it will not go unnoticed here.”

“Will they not think it’s from Faxon?” I didn't want to give up the ring even though I hadn't given him an answer. It was mine, no matter how I decided. After our moment earlier, I assured him that I’d give him an answer by tomorrow, depending on how things went this evening.

“No, she will not think it is from Faxon." He scowled as if the very idea was offensive. Which, I guessed it was. "I had it made a long time ago when I was much more forthcoming with my mother. She will recognize it.”

“A long time ago?” I twisted the ring off my finger, and I watched his lips move into an almost undetectable frown.

“A story for another time.” He held out his hand and pocketed the ring. I felt I needed to say something to ease the hurt.

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