Page 87 of Brighter Than Gold

“I used to work for Lazio,” she whispered in my ear. I was stunned, but she continued. “I got pregnant while I was there, and I refused to… well you know. But once I had my daughter, I was forced to give her up. I couldn’t raise a child, butyou…keep your baby close, Reyah. Don’t ever let anyone come between you.”

This was the most honest and heartbreaking thing Charlotte had ever said to me, and I clung to her even tighter.

“Thank you for sharing that with me, Charlotte. I know you must have loved her with your whole heart to make the sacrifice you did.”

I felt her body contract against me with a sob, even though she didn’t make a sound. She sniffed and wiped a hand over her face. “Love your baby,” she said giving me a heartbreaking smile.

“I promise.”

Then she turned and walked through the door.

Chapter21

Burke

Ididn’t see Reyah that night, or the next morning. I didn’t know how to face her. It made me feel cowardly, but I had to push my own feelings aside to focus on what was best for the Realm. The shock and ire had lessened, but I still remained uncertain about everything. There was so fucking much to take into consideration; how the Kings would react, what backlash she would receive from the people of the Realm, what backlashIwould receive for marrying a woman like her. I could never admit that I hadn’t known, it would make me seem ignorant and laughable.

But above all that, above the logistical nightmare this was about to be, I still loved her. My pretty, raven-haired beauty who’d put her trust in me. I think I may have married any woman who carried my child, just to have the privilege of being a father. Marriages were so rarely about the love the couple has for one another. And I was lucky enough to haveher.

We’d sat at a long table joined by palace advisors, military men and foreign affairs officials. I had wanted to do this privately even though normally the other Kings would have been present, but I didn’t want Reyah to feel any more uncomfortable than she had to.

Callan and Reyah shared the story of everything that had happened, and what they’d seen through the woman of the Sisterhood. She’d had a difficult time describing the moment she recognized her younger brother Kieran, in what she called the Underpass. She’d told me briefly of her brothers in the past, Kieran she had always been tight lipped about, and I wondered now more than ever, why that was.

The room was shocked to hear about Warrick’s relationship with the outlaw and monster that had held my wife captive. But the advisors quickly decided that this information would only serve to make the palace seem less unified, and with whispers of a potential war on the horizon, that was the last thing we needed. It would be delt with behind closed doors.

Callan had done most of the recounting, he was accustomed to meetings like this. But he would look over at Reyah for confirmation every now and again, and she’d nod shyly in agreement. I could tell their shared experience had bonded them, and I was still overwhelmingly grateful for all he had done.

When the meeting ended, I pulled Reyah away to speak privately.

“How are you doing?”

She swallowed. “All right. It’s a lot,” she admitted.

I kissed her forehead. “You did wonderfully. Now, there are some other bits of business to attend to.”

“Like what?”

“Well, normally the other Kings would have attended a meeting like this, but I asked them to allow us a smaller audience since this was a more personal matter. They agreed on the condition of a formal meeting with you, so there will be a dinner tomorrow evening.”

Reyah flushed ruby-red. “Oh.”

“It’s just a dinner. To meet you. Nothing will be discussed.”

“Do they… know?”

“They will by tomorrow, yes. The details of this meeting will be shared with them.”

“Right.”

“What are you struggling with right now?” She looked up at me like a battered dog.

“I would just like to know howyou’refeeling. Where we stand. You rushed out yesterday and—”

“I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

“No, you had every right! I just…Gods Kas, I don’t even know if you still want me as your wife, or if you even want this baby with me.”

Her words were like a kick to the gut. I pulled her into the empty room next door so we could speak candidly.

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