Bride of Ashes (Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin #1)

49. Reyla

49

REYLA

“ C ourt is adjourned,” an attendant announced, her voice ringing in the room. “Please reconvene again tomorrow for the crowning of our new queen and the festivities to follow.”

While everyone but our guards left the throne room, my new ladies-in-waiting followed Lord Briscalar, who’d give them instructions and assure they were granted full status with the court.

Merrick left his throne and stepped over to stand in front of me. He lifted my hands and kissed them, his eyes locked on mine. “Well done. Very well done.” He tugged me into his arms, holding me tight enough I could barely grab a breath. “Are you sure you’re alright?” Leaning back, he traced his fingertip across my throat, but other than a slight ache deep inside, his magic had healed me.

“I’m fine.”

Shadows remained in his eyes. “You amaze me. Always.”

“Not what you expected when you asked for a willing bride, now is it?” I quipped. Inside, I still shook, but damn if I’d let that show to anyone who might still be watching.

“I thank the fates every single moment for bringing you into my life.”

Lord Briscalar stepped through the door behind the thrones and came around to hover nearby, clearing his throat.

Merrick grinned. “I think someone needs you, my wildfire queen.”

What about Merrick? Did he need me too?

I wouldn’t ask. Not yet. “I believe you’re right.”

Merrick's lips met mine in a kiss that surged through me, threatening to ignite the air around us. His hand brushed against my cheek, sending a shiver across my skin, but my eyes fluttered open.

Lord Briscalar studied the floor, the thrones, the ceiling, and the carpet marching up the aisle. With a soft exhale, I stepped out of Merrick’s embrace. We shared a smile that showed both of us were affected by our kiss, a smile that held the promise of more.

The corner of Merrick's mouth quirked into a knowing grin, the air between us charged with longing.

“Will I see you again today?” he asked.

“I suppose I should attend dinner.” As much as I wanted to avoid Erisandra, I couldn’t. She was part of this court, and if I didn’t face her often, she’d take control .

“I’ll join you. Hold your hand if you want. Snarl at my mother and her ladies.”

“And this is why I . . .” I couldn’t name my feelings eager to break free, also not yet.

He stroked his knuckles down my face, his gaze locked on mine. “Being near you makes the impossible seem within reach. Since we’ve met . . . You’ve given me hope, Reyla.”

“Hope whispers of dawn even within the darkest night.”

He startled. “Where did you hear that?”

I shrugged. “Somewhere. I can’t remember.” In a dream? Must be.

“I appreciate that you’re giving this a chance. Mother won’t thank you, but I do. If you want, I’ll cast a spell that will . . .” Grinning, he shook his head. “I’d better not. My mother isn’t without her own power, and she’s not above smacking me with magic as if I’m still a misbehaving child.”

Lord Briscalar cleared his throat.

“You need to go,” Merrick said. “I’ll see you soon?”

“I can’t wait.” I dipped into a curtsy and from the gleam in his eyes, he'd caught my unspoken message. The flames licking between us were growing into a blaze only being together completely would extinguish.

Surrounded by my guard, and with his gaze heavy on my spine, I left the throne room and made my way back to my suite, the weight of the upcoming coronation dragging on my shoulders. Dinner with Erisandra would feel easy when compared to what I’d go through tomorrow. I'd be glad when the events were over. Then, I could relax in the ballroom and dance with my king—my masked king, that is .

Inside my suite, I went through the final arrangements with Lord Briscalar.

He leaned back afterward, a pleased smile on his face. “I can’t see where anything can go wrong tomorrow.”

A chill scraped across my skin, and I got up and shut the open window, blocking out the wind.

“Is there anything we haven’t thought of?” I asked, returning to take my seat.

He shook his head. “I’ll keep reviewing my notes.” He tapped his open journal with the magical pen lying across it. “I’ll reach out if I discover anything.”

“Thank you.” I leaned forward and hugged him.

He coughed and awkwardly patted my back. “You don’t need to thank me. It’s my position here within the castle.”

I settled back in my chair with a touch of disappointment slicing through me. “Yes, your position.”

He frowned and shook his finger between us. “Now, none of that. You’re so much more than a job to me.”

“Your family has served ours for many generations, maybe longer than they’d like.” A discreet way of hinting that, if he wasn’t happy, he could do something else.

“I can’t imagine serving anywhere but within this court. Please don’t suggest otherwise.” He stood and magicked away his journal, probably to his own suite on the floor below mine. “I love working with you. You’ve brought joy to this court, to the king, and to everyone who interacts with you, including myself. Never doubt that.”

Smiling, I nodded. “I appreciate everything you do for me.”

He braced my shoulders, staring down at me, and for the first time, I felt like I had a father—or someone who’d taken on that guiding role I’d missed all my life. “Keep challenging this court. It’s good for us all.”

“I will.”

With a smile, he left.

My ladies bustled over, fluttering around me with Farris yapping, his energy high.

“I’ll take this fine fellow for a long walk, shall I?” Faelith asked with a smile. High Lady Faelith , that is.

“I know he’d love that.” I turned to Calista and Moira. “I’m dining with the king and his mother tonight, and I need to decide what I should wear. Can you make me look good?”

“Good?” Moira scoffed. “We can do much better than that. We’ll make you look fantastic.”

Primped and coiffed and adorned with a rich blue gown, I carefully sat on the sofa, waiting until it was time to leave for dinner. The sun slipped below the horizon before someone knocked on my door.

Surren ducked his head in through the opening. “It’s time to leave for dinner, my queen.”

“Great.” I rose and sedately walked over to the door that my guard swept wide.

Lore stood in the hall, dressed in a deep blue tunic with only a hint of silver braid on his shoulders. The wind had caught his hair and tousled it, giving him too much appeal .

I looked down the hall, finding it empty other than my guards and this man I’d hoped to avoid.

“Are we meeting Merrick in the dining room?” I asked.

“I’m afraid he can’t make it.” He held out his arm. “I’ll escort you to dinner this evening, my queen.”