Page 98 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“Do Dewalt and Lavenia live there too?”

“They have a room there, but they also have their own home. It’s farther from the city, though, so they’ll likely stay with us. If that’s alright with you?”

“Of course, that’s alright with me. It’s your home.”

He studied me before he sat up, stretching. “Are you ready for tonight with Elora?” He asked because I’d spent a good portion of time last night agonizing over Elora’s potential reaction to Faxon’s death. I sat up next to him.

“The more I think about it, the more I want to vomit. What if she isn’t even there? What if she hates me for what I did to him?”

“You’re strong, Em. And if you need to be weak, I’ll be strong for you. We’ll get through it.” He pulled me into him, kissing the top of my head. “I wish I could be in the illusion with you.”

“I wish you could be, too. Maybe Cyran will bring you along this time.” We both stood then, separating to get dressed and handle our needs. I did notice Rainier watching me as I took my shirt off, and I shamelessly turned to give him a decent view, eliciting a groan from him.

“You dirty, little wretch.” He smirked at me as he stripped his shirt off.

“Dirty is right. I need a bath.”

“I have a better idea. I’ll show you tonight.”

“What is this idea?”

“It’s a surprise. I promise you’ll like it, though.”

I started to braid my hair and then remembered Rainier had liked it better down, choosing instead to pin it at my hairline, just to keep it out of my face.

Truetohisword,we only rode a few hours before we slipped away, leaving our horses in Dickey's care, and Rainier created a rift. Peeking through it, I saw dark floors and not much else. It was dim within the room, and I realized him being gone for a year was the reason for it. Dewalt walked through and sneezed, confirming my suspicion, and Mairin and Lavenia followed.

“I built this house with you in mind.”

“What?”

“I did. You’ll see. Maybe it’s part of why I've hated coming here for so long.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the rift with him. “I’ve never been happier to go home than I am today, though.” He shot me a dazzling smile, and the rift closed behind us as we stepped through.

Dewalt opened the curtains and a window, and I looked around. The ceiling was high with wooden beams crossing the top, and the floors matched, dark oak if I had to guess, not unlike the floors at Ravemont. The cream curtains blew in the slight breeze from the open window, mildly contrasting with the light blue walls. A large fireplace took up one wall of the room, the grey stone stretching across the entire face with a long oak mantle. There was greenery and candles nestled across it, books, and other items I wanted to inspect decorating the shelf as well. The furniture within this room, what I assumed to be a living room, was large and comfortable looking, with an ottoman to prop your feet upon next to the most inviting sofa I had ever seen. All cream, with throws and pillows of various shades of blue tossed all over it. The room was decorated simply and beautifully, with comfort in mind—much different than what I would have expected for the Crown Prince. The others went through a hallway in search of their rooms, I supposed. I spotted a glimpse of something through the window Dewalt had opened and walked across to peer outside. Finding the garden Rainier had discussed earlier, I was surprised to see different shades of purples, blues, and pinks throughout, with a beautiful pergola covered in vines.

I heard a creak to my right and turned to see Rainier opening up glass-paneled doors leading out to the garden. He nodded his head, indicating for me to follow, and I joined him. The walkway through the garden meandered, the dark grey stones creating a path I followed, marveling at all the different flowers he'd managed to accrue. Some were tall and climbed trellises that hung over the path while others were left to flourish in their wildness, spreading across the grass with no sense of direction. There was a peaceful solitude in the garden, and I wondered at its beauty.

“You did this?” He laughed from ahead, waiting for me to catch up.

“No, I helped in the beginning. I had the vision, but my gardeners have kept it up for me since then. It’s best in the summer, but there is still plenty blooming this late in the season.”

I took his hand and wandered through the garden with him, noticing the various bushes I suspected would be full in the summer, their blooms resting this late in the autumn. He took me to a particularly large bush that had dark purple blooms all over it. “This is the only one that blooms this late, but most of the plants are lilacs. There are violets, and I’m sure you saw the hydrangeas from the window. And quite a few others I don’t remember the names of.” His crooked smile was going to be the death of me.

My favorite flowers and my favorite scents. I didn’t have words. He meant what he said earlier—my influence was evident in this house. From the flowers to the colors and decor inside, even the dark wood floors. It was perfect. He took me further into the garden, showing me a swinging bench nestled into a secluded area surrounded by tall hedges.

“Why?” I was just a memory by the time he built the estate.

“I decided if I was going to torture myself thinking of you, your scent would make it more palatable.”

My breath hitched, and I swallowed. He never stopped when it came to me. Knowing he built this house with me at the forefront of his mind was almost too much to think about.

“It’s beautiful, Rain, it's perfect.” I turned away, not sure why I was tearing up. His home was faultless, every detail like something I’d dreamt up myself. He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on the top of my head.

“Then why are you crying?” I wiped my eyes quickly and turned in his arms.

“I don’t know, truly.” I smiled up at him, and he returned it, leaning down to kiss me. Putting one hand on the back of my neck and the other at my waist, he kissed me deeper and more passionately than I’d ever been kissed. I felt something shift as if the world had aligned for this moment. For me to find Rainier again, fall for him again, love him again. For me to be wrapped in his arms in the beautiful garden he’d made for me. When he broke from the kiss, he pressed his forehead against mine, and the intimacy made my chest tighten.

I heard a gentle clearing of someone’s throat and pulled away from Rainier, turning to the doors we’d come out.

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