Page 193 of Crown of Briars
The people cried out with delight. From within the crowd, someone shouted, “All hail the King and Queen of the Shadow Court!” Several others roared their assent, raising their hands in the air to show their support.
Eira, my friend from the Winter Court, launched herself into my arms the moment we descended the dais. She had been standing in the front row alongside her father, a fae with gray hair and a warm smile. His bright blue eyes were identical to Eira’s. Her raven black hair was pulled into a braid down her back, and she wore a cerulean dress that matched the color of her court.
“Sybelle!” she shrieked, squeezing me tightly against her chest. “You have no idea how thrilled I am for you.” She withdrew to give me a huge smile that was all teeth. When her gaze slid to Varius looming behind me, her eyes rounded, and a faint blush crept into her cheeks. “Blood and ice, Sybelle…” She pressed a hand to her chest and swallowed. Then, she leaned in to mutter, “I don’t know how youeverthought he wascurmudgeonly.”
I elbowed her hard, and we both burst into laughter, knowing full well Varius’s fae hearing meant he had understood every word. I pressed a fist to my chest, inclining my head toward the king of the Winter Court. “Your Highness. I am honored that you are here.”
King Judas bowed to me, his eyes crinkling with his smile. “We were thrilled to receive your invitation. And I know my daughter has been anxious to see you again.”
“Anxious. Desperate.Frantic.Whatever you want to call it.” Eira’s laugh was infectious. I had always admired that about her.
Behind me, Varius cleared his throat, and I felt my face flush. I quickly stepped back and gestured to my husband. “This is King Varius of the Shadow Court.”
Eira sank into an elegant curtsy, her eyes sparkling. “Your Highness.”
King Judas bowed again, his eyes solemn. “King Varius. I had the pleasure of meeting your father once, long ago.”
Varius stiffened. “My condolences.”
Judas chuckled. “Yes, I can’t say I was too fond of him. But I can already see how different you are from him. You have my congratulations for such a happy union. And for already demonstrating yourself to be a fine king to these people.”
My chest warmed from his words, and I laced my fingers through Varius’s. His arm was rigid, though, and he said nothing in exchange. Instead, he merely pressed a fist to his chest.
An awkward silence passed between us. Eira's shrewd gaze flicked from me to Varius and back again, missing nothing.
I widened my eyes meaningfully at her, hoping she would take the hint. She nodded, then looped her arm through her father’s. “Let’s grab some drinks, shall we, Father?”
Judas muttered a quick farewell before his daughter steered him away. I shot Eira a grateful look, vowing to catch up with her more thoroughly later. She had assured me they would remain in the Shadow Court for a few days, which would give us plenty of time.
I squeezed Varius’s hand. “Are you all right?”
He looked down at me, his eyes full of warmth. “Yes,dannahla. I am more than all right.” With his free hand, he cupped my chin and lowered his mouth to mine. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him fully, wrapping my arms around his neck and relishing the heat of his body against mine.
Hours later, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much as we greeted one guest after another. The square had transformed into a place of merriment and revelry. Drinks and refreshments had been brought out. The people were dancing and laughing and drinking.
I was chatting with Enzira and a few of her friends when I caught sight of Varius. He stood off to the side, having withdrawn from the crowd a while ago. His arms were folded over his chest as he watched the celebration. Despair darkened his features, and I knew where his thoughts had turned.
He was still haunted by what he’d done as a beast. He had buried the fallen soldiers himself, had even visited the grieving families, offering to provide for their needs as long as necessary. My husband had worked tirelessly to make amends and serve his people as much as possible to atone for what he’d done.
But it would never be enough. It was a start, but nothing could erase the trauma of that night.
I squeezed Enzira’s arm and bid her farewell as I crossed thesquare to where Varius stood. When he noticed me coming his way, his expression warmed, though his eyes still remained heavy with grief.
“Dance with me,” I said.
His mouth quirked in a halfhearted smile. “Sybelle…”
“You are my husband, and I want to dance with you.” I lifted my chin.
His eyes heated as he recognized those exact words from the revel. His smile widened, revealing his fangs. With a long-suffering sigh, he took my hand in his and escorted me toward the throng of dancers.
Our bodies moved together, matching the rhythm of the music. Varius’s hands felt hot on my waist, and my chest was flush against his. The longer we danced, the more his body seemed to loosen, as if the weight of his thoughts and fears drifted away with each passing moment. He even managed to twirl me in his arms, eliciting a surprised laugh from me. My face flushed, my skin heating as I remembered our dance during the revel.
Stones, things had been so different back then.
Varius brought his mouth to my ear. “That crown looks magnificent on you.”
I suppressed a shiver as his breath caressed my skin. My grip tightened on his arms as our bodies swayed together. “Perhaps I’ll keep it on for every hour of the day.” I looked up at him through my lashes. “Even in bed.”
