Page 54 of Crown of Briars
“Are you well?” I asked quietly.
“I—yes,” Sybelle said with a nervous chuckle, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “I—I am surprised to see you at this door.” She gestured to the connecting door in the room, which I had used last time.
“Yes, well, it was inappropriate of me to intrude without your permission,” I said. “I figured this was more polite.”
It was an olive branch, and I was begging her to take it. I needed us to be on good terms for what I was about to ask of her.
She offered a hesitant smile. “Well, I appreciate that. Is there something you needed?”
“Yes, actually. Would you mind if I stepped inside? The matter is… delicate.”To say the least.
Panic struck her face, her jaw going slack and her eyes wideningfurther. “I—um—I can’t—” She muttered a soft curse and said hastily, “Can we speak in your rooms instead?”
I stared at her in confusion. Why would she want to go to my bedchamber?
“It’s just, I have yet to see the king’s quarters,” she said, her words coming out in a rush. “And I’m curious.”
My frown deepened. Something was definitely amiss with her. Once more, I tried looking past her to see if anything strange was in her room, but she refused to open the door any wider.
“Sybelle,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “are you well?” I enunciated the words, hoping she understood my meaning.Are you in danger? Is someone threatening you?
She blinked. “Yes. I am well.”
“Because you are acting very strange, and it concerns me.”
She sighed, rubbing her forehead. “I am… flustered. Between moving rooms, and me getting lost in the training yard yesterday?—”
“I apologize for that,” I said quickly. “It was my fault for abandoning you. I should have shown you the way instead of leaving you like that. Please forgive me.”
She lifted a hand, shaking her head. “Please don’t think anything of it. I enjoy exploring. It just took more energy than I was expecting. Everything here is sobig. Far bigger than the castle I grew up in.”
My eyebrows lifted at that.
“Please, may I see your rooms?” she asked. Her eyes sparked with delight, a look I now recognized as curiosity. She wore it often. “It shouldn’t be too scandalous; I am your wife after all.”
Heat rushed to my face at her implication. “I see.” I folded my arms across my chest. “So my wife wishes me to take her to my bedchamber.”
Her face flushed crimson, and her mouth fell open with a startled laugh. “I—that isnotwhat I meant.”
I chuckled. “Relax, Sybelle. I know what you meant.” I stood back, jerking my head toward the hallway.
Her expression brightened, and she followed me, easing the door shut behind her. My gaze flicked over her form, taking in the gold silk that clung to her body and brought out the amber hues in her hair. The low neckline revealed a tantalizing glimpse of the tops of her breasts. Begrudgingly, I had to admit that she looked… quite lovely.
We strode side by side as we made our way across the short distance between our rooms. It was an odd feeling, to be striding alongside this human bride of mine. As if we were equals.
Clearing my throat, I reached the door to my own room, grateful I’d left it ajar. I wasn’t in the mood to play the castle’s games tonight.
Sybelle reached out to push the door open further, then hesitated, her expression suddenly wary. “Varius, I?—”
Mother of Shade, there was something about the way my name fell off her lips that made my insides stir.
I shoved the feeling aside and focused on Sybelle’s discomfort. “Is something wrong?”
She looked up at me. “We haven’t consummated our marriage.”
“I am aware.”
“Are you—do you—” She broke off, gritting her teeth in apparent frustration. “Do you plan to change that anytime soon? I would just like to be prepared.”
