Chapter 30
Another crash was quickly followed by another wail.
Sighing, I sipped the last of my tea and leaned back against the cherrywood doors of Blueburn Manor.
To say my mother had taken the news of my father’s fate badly was putting it mildly.
“I’m dying,” she cried again. “Oh goddess, I can already feel it.” Another item met its demise against the wall. “The fading has come for me.”
Foolishly, I’d thought that maybe she would be glad to be free of him.
Certainly after I’d arrived at the manor to find her locked in her rooms. I’d informed the guards stationed outside of them that they were holding the sole owner of this estate prisoner. They’d glanced at each other before demanding to know where my father was.
After I’d told them, they’d unchained the doors and finally bowed.
It was as if I hadn’t been queen until my father was no longer here and trying to overthrow a dynasty that had been in power since the dawn of our creation.
But my annoyance had been cut short.
Looking more unkempt than I’d ever seen, my mother had exploded into the hall. “Three books.” Shaking the worn novels in the air, she’d hurried past me. “He left me in there for four nights with only three rotting books.”
There’d been no congratulations on not dying while feeding the wards that keep us hidden, Ethel. Not even a mere it’s good to see you, Ethel.
She’d simply said, “He made me a prisoner in my own home to keep me from warning you about his sinister intentions, you know,” before disappearing into the library.
Those words hadn’t wounded, and I needn’t have asked her if she would have warned me. Euricia Blueburn might have been just as selfish as I was, but I knew she loved me more than she feared my father. He’d also known it—hence why he’d locked her in her rooms and placed her under guard.
So I’d made myself a cup of tea and ignored the staff nervously wandering through the halls of the manor.
A manor my mother had been destroying ever since I’d passed by the library and casually said, “Father’s plans evidently failed, so he’ll now live out the rest of his nights on one of the isles as a lonely mermonster’s companion.”
I hadn’t thought I’d need to put it delicately, as I hadn’t thought she would immediately assume her death was imminent.
Yet as she continued to cry and scream, I knew even if I’d delivered the news with more care, it wouldn’t have mattered. Only time would soothe her fear. My own, too. As all I could do was trust that Lovaila’s desire to live, to have company and receive gifts, outweighed her desire to kill.
Eyeing the made vampires who huddled in groups by the stables just beyond the drive, unease crept down my spine.
Mother’s tantrum would need to end soon.
Before any of the fifty-odd soldiers made by my father decided they no longer owed the Blueburn family their eternal loyalty.
I could hear the staff attempting to intervene now, which meant she must have broken something irreplaceable. Beneath the sound of her sobbing, I could also hear something else—a faint whooshing.
Frowning up at the fading stars, I tensed at the sight of a moving dark mass in the sky.
A carriage.
My stomach jumped. But it couldn’t be…
Not unless he had another carriage. I’d only just sent the one I’d taken back.
I sat up and shakily set my teacup down on the step. As an older and far less grand carriage swayed into view, small enough that it was tugged by a lone Pegasus, I tried to tame the wild dance of my heart. When it alighted at the end of the drive with a nasty thud, I ceased trying.
Taming anything was futile.
My exhales shortened. My entire body tightened like a bowstring as the carriage ambled up the drive and rounded the rose garden in the turning bay. Paint that was once pearlescent peeled from the dented metal, revealing patches of emerald beneath.
The Pegasus was brought to a halt. Huffing, the black beast spread its wings, pebbles crunching under its giant hooves. Then, before the driver could even leave his seat, the carriage door creaked open.
Brey leaped onto the drive.
I wasn’t sure I breathed as he sauntered toward me. With a dramatic bow beneath the steps, he drawled, “I do hope you can forgive the intrusion at this late hour.”
My lips twitched.
His own curled into a smirk as he straightened.
“I might.” Lifting my chin, I said curtly, “If there is a good reason for the intrusion.”
“Oh but there is.” He glanced down at something in his hand. A glove. Long fingers smoothed the crimson silk, then he offered it to me. “You forgot this.”
Unable to determine whether he was jesting, I could only blink.
“It’s rather lovely,” Brey said. “I thought it best to bring it to you, as Sheya and Ergon are already ravaging your rooms. Also”—he appeared to hesitate with a grimace—“I think you may have taken some of my lotions.”
I climbed to my feet and remained quiet—to give him time to tell me that this was indeed just a jest. To tell me that he hadn’t flown here just to rub salt in my wounds again. My heels clicked on the stone steps. To keep us at eye level, I stopped on the last one.
My glove still waited in his hand.
When he merely looked down at it, then at me with furrowed brows, I snatched it from him and tossed it at his perfect face.
“Your intrusion is not forgiven. In fact…” The silk fell to the pebbles. “I’m beginning to wish you’d never had the audacity to step foot on this estate and force me to marry you, you sadistic, merciless, ass—”
My tirade was smothered by his mouth.
His hands gripped my face as his lips crushed mine.
Stunned, it took me a moment to understand what was happening. When I did, I placed my hands on his chest to push him away. But my fingers curled over the ruffles of his gaping shirt and brushed against his chest—pulling him closer instead.
Too many feelings coursed through me. Relief was the most powerful, and as his mouth softened over my own, it had me melting against him.
Still holding my face, Brey drew back—just far enough to catch my eyes when they fluttered open. “I cannot wait one hundred years.” His forehead touched mine. “Apparently, I cannot endure one fucking evening without knowing you’re near.”
My eyes burned.
My fingers released his shirt. “Oh really?” Bracing myself with my hands against his chest, I leaned away to raise a brow. “Because it seems awfully convenient for you to inconvenience me by coming here to—”
Again, he kissed me. Softer this time.
And again, I melted.
Too soon, he stopped to murmur, “For so long, all I wanted, all I fucking craved, was you. Not freedom from the invisible chains my father kept me in, but you. Only you. And finally having you…” A slight groan came with a shake of his head.
“It was better than I ever imagined, and I imagined it a lot.” Rasped, he chuckled.
“So when I thought you’d taken it from me, the only thing I’d ever wanted… ”
As he paused to swallow, my chest grew tight with held breath.
“I didn’t know what to do.” His hands lowered, fingers squeezing gently at my nape.
“With you. With myself. I lost my rotting mind. It doesn’t excuse anything, I know.
I have behaved deplorably.” His lashes dipped.
“And I’m sorry.” Vibrant and ensnaring, his gaze met mine.
He whispered, “I truly am so fucking sorry, Ethel.”
A fractured exhale tumbled from me. Tears singed my eyes.
I closed them. Not knowing what to say, how to even breathe properly, I merely whispered, “You could have told me this hours ago. Before I had to pack my own belongings and drag them through the palace.”
Brey huffed. “Come now, lethal.”
I opened my eyes to glare at him.
His flared sleeve gaped as he stepped back to gesture to the ancient carriage. “And miss an incredible opportunity for a dramatic entrance?”
I struggled to hold my mask of displeasure when he waggled his brows. My lips twitched as his grin broadened.
Behind me, the doors flew open.
“… Just have to get him back because I refuse to—” My mother gasped. “Majesty?”
She stood atop the stairs, wide-eyed with lash ink running down her cheeks. But her shock was quickly replaced by a bright smile.
I looked back at Brey to find him bowing. “Lady Euricia. It’s been too long since I’ve had the pleasure of seeing your lovely face.”
Mother hurried past me and gave her hand to the king, who had no business bowing for the woman. But oh, how she appreciated it—laughing like a bird as he placed a kiss on her hand. Brey straightened and said with that smooth drawl, “We were most distraught by your absence at the ward ball.”
“I was so distraught to have missed it.” She threw me a closed-lipped smile before saying to Brey, “But I’m just beyond relieved that you two managed to feed the wards and return safely.”
My tongue poked into my cheek.
“Ethel,” she said. “Why didn’t you tell me the king was visiting?”
“My fault.” Brey took her hand and tucked her arm through his. “You see, I wanted to accompany Ethel to inquire about your well-being. However, I thought it best to give you both some time alone first.”
“You sweet thing.” My mother barely glanced at me as she ordered, “Be a darling and close those doors, Ethel. We cannot have your father’s men picking at our flesh in his absence.”
Knowing she was more concerned about Brey discovering her tantrum, I bit back a smile and closed the damned doors.
“I wanted to talk to you about that, actually,” Brey said.
“Oh?” Mother swept her free hand toward the side of the manor. “Well, it’s a lovely evening. We might as well enjoy what’s left of it out on the terrace.”
Trailing them, I snorted.
Mother shot me a withering look over her shoulder before leaning into my husband. As they rounded the manor to the path, she said, “I cannot deny it, Majesty. I’m absolutely terrified of the fading.”
“You needn’t fear a thing,” Brey said. “Your daughter is quite the stern negotiator. Though I’m not sure it will be the life he envisioned for himself, I’m certain Aphylus will live.”
My mother harrumphed. “She got that from him, you know. Aphylus can make a fly buzz away with nothing but a scowl.” Sighing, she swayed a little.
“So I suppose he might be fine. But as for his staunch supporters…” She hesitated before whispering, “I fear they may take advantage without Aphylus’s ruthlessness to keep them in line. ”
“I believe we can help you with that.”
Mother feigned a gasp. “You can?”
Rolling my eyes, I plucked a rose from a vine crawling over the manor.
Brey nodded. “It would be an honor.”
“Oh, Majesty.” She scoffed. “No wonder you made the thorniest rose on this isle wilt for you.” She whispered, “She got those thorns from her father, too.”
Brey had the gall to sound genuinely perplexed. “What thorns?”
Mother shrieked with laughter and smacked his arm. “You’re too perfect.”
“Did you hear that, lethal?” Brey asked.
I twirled the rose between my fingers. “Hear what?”
Brey glanced at me, then the rose, and winked.
My heart missed a beat. Smirking, I stared down at the velvet petals.
We reached the rear gardens, and my mother brought Brey to a quick stop. “Now you wait right here.” She patted his arm. “Actually, Ethel, why don’t you show His Majesty the gardens?” With a tight smile and a nod, she released my husband. “I’ll have some tea prepared.”
Brey gave her that disarming grin. “I adore the way you think, Euricia.”
Tweeting like a bird again, Mother waved her hand and hurried into the home she’d not long ceased destroying.
I walked on to the hedge maze.
Hearing the soft crunch of grass beneath boots and feeling his presence behind me, a smile wriggled my lips. “You’ve never been that nice to me.”
“You’ve never wanted nice.” His warmth brushed my back. Quieter, yet steeped in confidence, he said, “The only way you can stomach something sweet is if it’s served with a side of humor or venom or cake.”
Though he’d spoken so true it tempted me to turn, I kept walking.
I made it three more steps before my hand was stolen.
Brey spun me and clasped my face in both hands. With a hint of wildness I hadn’t seen before, his eyes searched mine. “Forgive me, Ethel,” he urged. “Come home, and I swear I’ll show you that doing so will not be a mistake.”
The rose fell from my limp fingers to our feet.
Even though I didn’t need to ponder it, even though I’d forgiven him before I’d left the palace, I let myself enjoy it. I let my greedy heart soak in his words, his touch, and the desperate gleam in his eyes like the remedy they were.
Then I took one of his hands from my face. “There are some things I do not wish to forgive.” When his brows furrowed, I brought his hand to my mouth. Nipping the tip of his finger, I murmured, “Things I hope we will do again.” Leaning into his chest, I smiled up at him. “And again.”
His body loosened. “I may need you to explain these things to me.” He curled his lips. “In thorough detail.”
“It would be my pleasure.” I rose onto my toes to press a kiss to his jaw. “Majesty.”
As soon as that word left my mouth, he crushed me against him. Fingers scrunched my hair, and his other hand tightened over my cheek and jaw. My nose was smooshed against the exposed skin of his chest.
I didn’t mind. I wrapped my arms around his waist and inhaled him deep into my lungs until he tilted my head back.
His thumb swept over my cheek, then my lower lip, as his glassy emerald eyes roamed every inch of my face.
Standing where I’d once been so afraid of a future with him that I’d cruelly rejected him, I felt no fear when his mouth replaced his thumb. As he kissed and kissed and kissed me, I clung to him with giddy hunger—yearning for eternity with this king.