Page 123 of Reign of Light
“No ladies today?” Crossing the room, I note that her assistants who have been helping her dress me for years are absent. It’s just the two of us, and probably better after what she could have stumbled in on.
“Not today, Your Majesty. I assumed you were still recovering and would want no one to hover.” She glances over at me as I approach the stool, ready to step on. “Fix your skirts, dear.”
My face bursts into flames and my head snaps down to find exactly what Tila is talking about. In the haste to look like nothing was going on behind my closed doors, my underskirts tangled up in themselves,making it painstakingly obvious what we had been doing. Not to mention, the entire top layer of fabric is wrinkled from where Weston had it bunched in his fist.
Fuck.
I scramble to straighten myself, smoothing out what rumples I can, and completely avoid eye contact with her once I’m done. This is exactly what Weston was talking about, exactly what he didn’t want to happen. I told him I didn’t care, but he clearly does, and that’s a conversation we will have, just not today. As long as this didn’t just ruin it.
I trust Tila, I don’t think she will gossip, but what if her assistantshadcome today? This secret relationship between us wouldn’t be so secret anymore.
I clear my throat and step onto the stool as she disappears into my closet, only to reemerge a few moments later, her arms laden with dresses.
“Tila,” I start “Whatever you?—”
She holds a hand up and looks away, stopping me before I can even start. “There is no need for worry, Your Majesty. Who the queen allows into her bed is no concern of mine.” My slow exhale is filled with relief as she strides past me and drapes the dresses over the back of the settee. “I’m just glad you learned what you needed to from those books. Gods know Edmond would not have been up for explaining, and now given the…situation… I’m sure that was for the best.”
Now that the person I’m allowing into my bed is Edmond’s son.
Lessons I endured about the importance of continuing the Holt family line, and the importance of producing an heir were uncomfortable enough with my tutor who was like a grandfather to me. I don’t know if I could have faced him alongside Weston if he had been the one to try to explain the logistics. But the thought flitters away as quickly as it came, as the more important one pulls all my focus.
A laugh bubbles out of my throat as I gape at Tila. “I knew it! You knew I was taking them!”
She scoffs. “Of course I did, dear. I made sure to weed out the ones that were less than entertaining.” Her conspiratorial wink sends me into another fit of giggles, but she claps her hands, bringing us back to the task at hand. “Now, we must not waste time. We are not creating anything new, as time will not allow it. We will have to work with something you already have and make alterations if necessary.”
My brows furrow as I catch her eye in the mirror. “What are we preparing for? I haven’t approved anything or heard any news.”
Tila’s gaze softens, sympathy coating her features, and her voice is gentle, as if speaking to a scared child.
“Your Majesty, this one requires no approval. We need to make sure you are appropriately dressed for your father’s funeral.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Raindrops patter against the windowpane as thunder rattles the glass before me. The weather is fitting for a funeral, especially my father’s. Weston wasn’t here as I dressed this morning, no doubt making sure all the preparations were complete before I even stepped foot out of this room. It’s the first day since we landed back in Blackwood that anyone is actually leaving the castle grounds, and if I thought he was protective before, after my life was threatened at the literal hands of someone I knew, he might be insufferable now.
I stare through the water-speckled window out over the grounds, but can see nothing more than fog-filled trees and the castle wall. Cold seeps in through the seams, and I wrap my arms around myself to suppress a shiver.
I miss Dawnlin.
For more than just the beauty and weather.
Gently closing my eyes, I try to remember the feel of the warmth from the suns on my skin, the fragrant smell of the plants, and the crash of the waves. Anything. I’d welcome anything that could wash away the cold and dreariness in front of me now, even if only for a few moments.
We knew life would be different when we returned to Blackwood, but neither of us expected this. Becoming queen was a distant future, one I knew was coming, but thought with as young as my father was when he became king, that I would live an entire life as a princess before I took the throne. I would have time to adjust, time to speak to my father about making significant changes, and I would do so with Weston by my side.
I wasn’t expecting to be standing in a funeral gown, and finally being presented to the kingdom on the same day I have to bury my father. This wasn’t at all the way I thought the kingdom would finally see the princess, but today they will finally see me.
The door opens behind me, and I know the person walking through is Weston without looking. My body knows it’s him. My skin tingles, now not just from the cold, but with an awareness of his proximity. I keep my eyes fixed on the view and the rain, trying to steel myself against all the overwhelming emotions that are sure to surface today.
Weston’s steady footsteps echo through the room, and my body thrums with energy when he stops next to me, sliding his hand onto my lower back.
“Are you ready?” he murmurs.
My gaze stays transfixed on the view, and my stomach churns at the thought of leaving this room. “No. Are you?”
“No.”
I lean into his touch, and his hand slides across my back, wrapping around the opposite side of my waist and tucking me into his side.
