Page 150 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
“Do you?” I’d meant it as a joke, but as I waited for his answer, I realized I truly wanted to know. We’d started out so rough, a mere hollow transaction we’d both been forced into. Despite the talks of fated mates, doubts lingered.
“About you? None.” He tilted his head to the side, watching me in a way that made me feel completely naked, even with the layers upon layers of fabric on me. “Though we could do with fewer flowers. My mother has probably cut down all the fields east of the Capital to make the Phoenix Peakbloom with our new love.”
A giggle escaped my lips. I couldn’t help it. His playfulness was intoxicating. “That’s actually nice of her. I’m glad she’s tackling all the wedding organizing.”
“She’s been dreaming about it since before I left the cradle. But enough talk of the current queen.” He offered me his arm, a devious glint in his eyes. “The streets are empty, you are mesmerizing, and I have a surprise. Will thetrueQueen do me the honor of her company tonight?”
Chapter
Forty-Eight
EVIE
Iwalked alongside the most dangerous Clan heir in all of Malhaven, my arm wrapped around his powerful arm, feeling the muscles coil underneath his leather armor.
The air tasted sweet and full of promise.
A chorus of night birds accompanied our silent steps as we hurried down the empty back streets.
The moon winked at us from between the trees, our partner in crime for this midnight escapade.
A perfect, beautiful, romantic evening with the man I would marry in a week.
Then why, in all of Malhaven, was I concerned?
“Someone’s in a very good mood,” I said. Zaryn even walked differently. Still confident, but more relaxed. Same as Adara. Had we all heard the same words from the Oracle?
“I am,” he said. “You’re officially no longer a threat. No more guards at your fence day and night, the Capital no longerdoubting your motives, the king and queen no longer pestering me with questions. It was a good night.”
“No more doubts for you, either, then.”
“I haven’t had those in a long time. The question is, dear menace–” He stopped and faced me, not taking his hand away from mine. “Why aren’tyouhappier? You’ve dazzled the Clan and the civilians, laid their worries to rest, and came out victorious.”
True, all true. However… “The Oracle said my heir will come from a traitor’s blood.”
The high of passing the advisors’ test was waning, and I was left with too many questions wrestling for answers I didn’t have. The Oracle had also said my closest would make me suffer. It was all very confusing.
“Who knows what she sees as betrayal? She’d probably call me a traitor for trying to intervene in the ritual.” Zandyr clenched his jaw. “It shouldn’t have hurt. I felt your agony.”
“You tried to protect me.” Which warmed my heart, it did, even though this connection between us was new and strange.
“And I always will, no matter what happens.” He trailed his fingers along the back of my hand. “As for being a traitor…one of the benefits of true fated mates is that we can betray everyone else, but never each other. If either of us turns to treason in our lifetimes, then at least we know it’s in the interest ofus.”
That little ball of worry that had been coiling inside me loosened.Us. He couldn’t betray me. “Ifwe’re fated mates.”
“Yes,” he said with a smile. “If.”
“The Oracle did say I’d wear a crown of tears and treason.”
A frown slashed Zandyr’s happiness. “When? I didn’t hear that.”
“When she leaned down,” I said, but Zandyr’s brows furrowed even more. “Maybe it was just for my ears. It’s not like I got anything tangible from it. Just…”
That love would betray me. ButnotBlood Brotherhood. And Zandyr was the embodiment of his Clan.
“Just what?”
“That one decision could send me to an early grave.”
