Page 89 of Rook of Ruin
“Would you?” I ask earnestly.
He shrugs. “If that is what you want. It’s our home. Whatever we want to change or do, we can.” He takes me in his arms. “Although, if you want to run naked through our house, like the lady did in your book”—he pulls it from my hands—“you need to let me know ahead of time so I can dismiss our staff for the day.”
“Don’t tempt me.” I squint as he hands the book back to me.
“Please, please do.” Desire shines on his face. “I wouldn’t mind chasing you around our home, trying to find you naked”—hishand grabs my ass—“finding you wet”—my breath hitches—“and full of longing.”
“I would like to be full ofsomething.”
He growls in my ear, “In the carriage.”
I sigh dramatically. “Tease.”
“There’s no part of me that is teasing, Orlaith. I want you to remember that when my cum is dripping down your thighs.” He grabs my hand and walks me out of the room.
Our sitting room is full of servants packing, a few guards dressed in black leathers with silver running through, and Zane is leaning on the wall in the foyer. Servants bow or curtsy, but the guards—Simon’s warriors—remain unmoving, similar to the queen’s Ravens.
Zane sees us, and his eyes widen, then he bows to us very formally. “I am here on the queen’s behalf to retrieve your brace.”
Simon hands it over, and my heart plummets. I worked so hard to become a Rook. I spent years of my life in the Locker.
“Sir?” A servant hands documents over to Simon, and they walk off together.
I watch Zane gently place my brace in a blue velvet box. “You look like a warrior queen now,” he says in a clipped voice, placing velvet straps over my brace and closing the box. “You were a good Rook, you know. Made us all very proud when you saved Tess’s family and Wesson. Paul loves you, and so do I, but whatever you did to Ossian really messed him up.”
I gape at him.What I did?WhatIdid? What about whathedid?
Before I can speak, Zane bows as a sign of his anger. “Safe travels to you both.” Without so much as a hug, he leaves me stunned.
I turn on my heels.
“O, what happened?” Simon knows I’m upset.
Bitterness coats my tongue. “I’m officially no longer a Rook. I’m not one of them.” Tears sting my eyes, and I can’t bring myself to tell Simon the rest.
“I see.” Simon gives me a hug. “I’m sure you are still one to Tess, Paul, and Zane. The village you saved from those demons and the people you healed still think you are one. I think you are one, and so much more.” He flashes his disarming smile.
All the anger dissolves, and I lean my head against his chest. “Thank you, Simon.” I breathe out a sigh of relief. He squeezes my hand and takes my book. “I can carry—”
“Sir.” A male servant dressed in a black-and-silver tunic hands him a crown the same as mine but larger, and Simon gives it to me and then kneels. The whole room turns as I place the crown on his head.
The meaning is not lost to me. Simon only kneels before me, his wife. He may bow to the queen and his father, but he only kneels before me. A sign of respect.
Simon stands, kisses my hand, and holds it. With a wink, he places my book in my other hand. Warriors open the doors for us, and we all make our way through the castle. People gather in the corridors to watch our procession, each one bowing or curtsying. In the grand foyer, Queen Inara waits for us. Simon bows, and since I’m in fighting leathers, I bow as well.
“My, what a mighty couple is in front of me. You look like the Warriors of Old.” Mumbles of agreement come from the lords and ladies gathered to watch us leave. “May you have an easyjourney. Princess Caddel, it is an honor to know you and your husband. Your parents would be pleased to see how you have turned out.” I almost weep from the compliment. “Your sister gives her regards. You both are most welcome to come back as esteemed guests.”
We bow to her again and take our leave, walking out to the main entry. I’m no longer of Acros. I’m now a Bethalian princess.
Roughly one hundred warriors in black leathers with silver woven through are lined up on their horses at attention. One rogue in brown leathers stands in the front.Paul. Our escort to the border. Simon gives me a boyish grin. My husband is full of wonderful surprises.
An older woman with short, silver-grey hair moves her warrior horse forward and yells, “His Royal Highness Prince Caddel and his bride, Her Royal Highness Princess Caddel! We give you our loyalty with our lives.In aeternus fidelis!” Eternally loyal.
“Aeternus fidelis!” Forever loyal.In unison, our warriors shout. The warriors lift their black spears in the air as one. A wonderfully frightening sight of the amount of pure power and violence these men and women are prepared to use to protect our peopleand us.
Simon puts his fist to his heart and nods at them, then he threads his hand into mine, clasped together as we walk down the stairs. Sal’s black mane and tail are braided with silver ribbons. She looks like a warrior queen’s horse, and I tell her so as I rub my hands down her neck and place my book into my saddle bag. Simon is handed a long box, and he opens it for me. Inside are two solid black shortswords and two daggers. They all have intricate carvings and black hilts with white gold accents. Viciously beautiful.
“They’re amazing. The daggers—”
