Page 29 of Crown of Briars
I heaved a sigh, closing my eyes for a moment. As Ramia helped me into my room, her deft hands able to transition me from my wedding gown to my shift with minimal effort, my thoughts turned to the Wraith King. He had vanished so quickly. I couldn’t blame him if he resented this union; I certainly didn’t have fond thoughts of it.
But he hadn’t uttered a single word to me. And he had just left me standing there like a fool.
When I was dressed for bed, Ramia bid me good night and left the door cracked open. I sank into my bed, surrounding myself with pillows, and I couldn’t help scowling into the darkness, thinking of the Wraith King’s cold, aloof behavior. It shouldn’t have been at all surprising. In fact, this kind of behavior was exactly what I had expected of him. It only made it easier to bring about his demise. And, now that we were married, I could begin my search for the enchanted rose so I could finally destroy him and free my people from the threat of his shadows.
I could still smellthe human’s fear long after I’d stepped through the door, which transported me back to my chambers. The moment the door snapped shut behind me, I shed my shadow shield and began pacing the wide length of my room, fingers curled into fists.
I had thought I could do this. I had thought her disgust and horror would not bother me.
My eyes closed as I ran a hand down my face, biting back a growl of frustration. A fire crackled in the hearth in front of me, and I slowly approached, my gaze fixed on the rippling flames as I waited for my pulse to slow.
Behind me, a knock sounded, and my eyes shut again. “Do not disturb me.”
“Your Highness, please.” Clermont’s voice was agitated.
I gritted my teeth but twisted my wrist, flicking my fingers toward the door behind me. A tendril of shadow curled forward, tugging on the door handle to let Clermont in. Once he was inside, my shadows pressed against the door so it shut loudly behind him.
I could sense Clermont flinching, even without looking at him.
“What,” I bit out, keeping my eyes on the fire. If I looked at Clermont directly, I feared my shadows might inadvertentlystrangle him. Which was exactly why I had told him not to disturb me.
“Is this really wise?” His usual formal demeanor was gone, which meant he was addressing me as a friend and not as my steward.
“Iswhatwise?”
“Storming off like that. Refusing to show your face. Avoiding the consummation. Varius, this is not?—”
“Not what a normal king should do?” I spat. “Tell me, Clermont, what about my situation isnormal?” I huffed a bitter laugh and shook my head before bracing my arms against the walls, flattening my palms against the black marble. “Every second I stood alongside that human, her putrid fear stung my nose. I couldn’t stand it. And my shadow shield was necessary. You saw how terrified she was, even with my shield in place. I imagine she would have shit all over herself if she’d seen my true form.”
“You don’t know that.”
“What Idoknow is how many brides tried to flee.” I slowly turned to face Clermont, unable to hide the torment from my gaze. “How many of them screamed and fought, even at the altar. I refused to let that happen again. She might have feared me and my shadow shield, but at least she didn’t try to run. If I am to break this curse, I need at leastsomehope that she will look on me with anything but disgust.”
Clermont sighed, his yellow eyes sharp as they appraised me. “And the consummation? You cannot put it off forever. It is a necessary step.”
I clenched my teeth. Mother of Shade, if the human bride was afraidnow, then she reallywouldshit herself if I took her to bed.
Shadows pooled on the floor around me, spreading across my room until they obscured the floor from view. With a sharp jerk of my head, they receded back into me, my body absorbingthem. My temper was a constant weakness I needed to control. My shadows often reacted to it, and this was no exception.
“No,” I said at last. “I refuse to force myself on anyone. Even a human. We will consummate when she is ready.”
“And what if she isneverready?” Clermont challenged. “Will you make our people wait, make them suffer, all because of this girl you don’t know? This is what’sdone, Varius. Royals do not marry for love. She is expecting this. She may not like it, but it is her responsibility as your wife.”
I cut him a lethal look, my nostrils flaring. Each word was sharp and forceful as I repeated, “I will not force myself on her.”
Clermont’s lips thinned. “And what of an heir? If you die, the kingdom will have no leader. The curse?—”
“I refuse,” I seethed. If I had a child, the curse would pass to them as soon as I died. Just as my father had passed the curse on to me.
But I would not allow it. It would end with me.
“I refuse to burden an innocent child with this wretched curse,” I said. “And I willnotforce anyone into my bed just to prolong a curse that will doom our people again and again.”
Clermont’s face paled. “But Varius, if you die...” He trailed off, unable to finish.
“Generations of kings have failed to break the curse,” I said. “If I can’t do it, then… it’s likely it canneverbe broken. If I die, then it means our people must abandon this land in search of a new home. The council can rule without me.”
“Varius, youcan’t. Your father?—”
