Page 78 of The Court of Secrets
“I love you too.” Twice I’d said it, and both times it cracked vulnerability into me.
He pushed my wrists against the sheets, pressing against me. “I’m going with you to take him down.”
I looked up. I shouldn’t have told him about Morgana’s and my plan with the necromancer. I should have known he’d want to take over. “I’m capable of doing this.”
He gazed into my eyes, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “I know you are, love, but I want to do this for you.”
I pushed him off me, sighing. “I’m not going to have the same argument with you as I did with Morgana.”
“She’s helping,” he said slowly.
“Yes, but she wanted to do it on her own at first.”
“Ever so stubborn.”
I laughed. “Says you. I think Morgana’s worried you’re a bad influence on me, you know.”
He licked his lips, looking me up and down. “Love, I’m a bad influence on everyone but you. You and I are two sides of the same coin, remember?”
“I know,” I said, breathless, and he leaned in for another kiss. I closed my eyes and melted into his embrace. Soon it would be time for battle, with Vahaga and then the necromancer, and sooner or later, I’d have to find a way to destroy the spirit realm. Until then, I’d let myself enjoy slices of happiness.
***
The room was painted in red silk, and the four long tables running the length of the room were covered in rose petals. Vases in alcoves held long-stemmed crimson roses. Down the center of the room, as long as the oak tables, was a red carpet leading up to two thrones. I sat on what had been my father’s. Ladies, escorted by their fathers or brothers, were brought to greet me one by one. Corbin smirked from nearby, and I heard him rating each arrival. Nissa watched him from three steps down from my throne. Her pained gaze fixated on him, and I felt her heart break. I shook my head. He was never good enough for her. How wrong I had been about Nissa. She’d proven to be loyal, for the most part, and determined. I liked her take-no-prisoners attitude.
Watching the nineteenth girl out of the twenty approach, I sighed with relief. It was almost over. She had long, wavy blonde hair and the same polite smile as the other eighteen.
“Nissa,” I said.
She whipped her head around, then hurried to my side. “Winter.” She leaned in. “Is everything okay?”
“Did you bring the book I asked for, to my chambers?”
“I did.”
“Good.” I pondered for a moment. “Have you heard anything from Adius?”
She shook her head.
The lady watched us, waiting. I pressed my lips together. “Are there any worth having?”
Her lips curved. “One.” She turned toward the blonde girl. “You may approach Her Majesty.”
The girl’s brother spoke. “May I introduce Lady Anna.” He nudged his sister, and she jolted. She quickly curtseyed and looked up at me.
I smiled and nodded. They left, and I blew out a tense breath. “Bring the final girl.”
Nissa grinned. “I think you’ll like this one.”
A woman walked the length of the carpet. Her skin was a sun-kissed brown. Her honey-golden eyes glistened as she met us. Her long dark hair was braided, hanging down her back. She was escorted by a tall athletic man who appeared to be old enough to be her father. She stopped in front of me and beamed a wide smile. It was a refreshing difference from the small tight smiles from the others. In their defense, they had been taught modesty was best and to not to be too bold. They’d have been perfect for my mother, but not me.
“Your Majesty,” the man said silkily, bowing, then standing upright. “I would like to introduce to you my daughter, Lady Mai.”
My cheeks balled. Her smile was infectious. She glanced from me to Nissa and shot her a mischievous look. “It’s good to meet you, Lady Mai.”
“The pleasure is mine,” she said back, her voice rich.
“Why do you want to be one of my ladies?”
