37. Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Wonderful aim, little gem.”
Today was hard.
Despite knowing the truth about Verin, he played a good game. I found myself aching to see if he was truly bad. I knew the stories. Verin was evil, everyone knew it. But this… non-threatening male didn’t scream danger which was more terrifying to me.
At breakfast, Tor announced that he wanted to go shooting, and my father roped me into it.
A little trip with the lovebirds he’d said.
He and Tor laughed. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched the king’s eyebrows lift when Tor aimed for the tiniest targets and hit them perfectly. Was he eyeing the prince for his army?
That’s when I turned the focus toward me. I was pretty good with a bow. Better with other weapons, but I rarely missed reasonable shots.
Verin complimented my aim, my stances, and smiled like a pleased father. It didn’t feel as good as Desmire’s proud smile, but my brain still liked it. For too long, I’ve craved his affection.
It’s as if he knew I was distancing myself and he wanted to nip it early on.
Or he knew who I was. But everyone led me to believe he’d kill me on the spot if he knew, so I didn’t think that was the case.
Golden eyes watched Tor press a kiss to my cheek and I couldn’t help but compare Verin to Desmire.
Mother had given me her journal, and she frequently talked about her warrior mate and Lachan.
The king always said he was more brain than brawn.
Using his smarts to attain his every desire.
One with golden eyes, so cold, and always calculating.
The other molten silver like metal, ready to be forged to defend.
Desmire was larger, broad, and took up space with his presence.
Where the male before me was lean, quick, and could disappear into the shadows if you closed your eyes too long.
I was torn on the inside despite knowing I shouldn’t be.
Verin smiled as Tor wrapped his hand around mine.
“My daughter is quite the warrior. You’ll have your hands full, young prince.”
Tor laughed and I might as well have been a prized unicorn the way they talked about me as I stood next to them.
“I imagine she gets that spirit from you, your grace.”
I chuckled but didn’t say anything. I didn’t get it from him. I got it from my parents.
“Perhaps from my younger years. Now I am an old king.”
Tor’s lips dropped for the barest second and I panicked. I hadn’t felt any tingling in my hands. Did he?
“Yes, I am a fiery handful. Now if I shoot that hanging limb on that oak, you owe me a date in the gardens.” My lame attempt to create a distraction worked, and Tor rolled his eyes. The king seemed amused with an arched bow.
“I mean, I was gonna do something special for dinner anyway, but I’m curious. So, if you miss, then what do I get?” Tor lifted an arrow from the quiver and pointed the tail end my way.
“A surprise.” I winked and the king laughed, his hands over his face.
Tor agreed, and without another breath, I shot the limb at the hinge point, and it crashed to the ground.
Yes.
Tor and I would go on another date as an engaged couple and the king clapped generously.
A cough came from behind us, and I swirled to find one of Tor’s guards standing there, his head bowed. “Prince Torin.”
“Hey Luc, is everything all right?”
“Yes, sir. Your father sent a package. He exclaimed it was to be viewed in private.”
Tor faced me with a pinched look on his face. “I’ll be back for the picnic. Excuse me.” He left with the guard and didn’t look back.
“Should we be worried?” I asked as the king set out a blanket with two covered cups of tea, and a plate of lemon sandwich cookies.
“No. Anything that comes in from other kingdoms has already been inspected. Now, come sit with me, little gem. We have matters to discuss.”
My breaths stopped and I had to force the air to move in and out of my lungs.
“I’m sorry I pushed you into this arrangement with the prince.”
Uh… what?
He patted the blanket beside him and held out a cup with tea. The scents wafting up with the steam reminded me of the calming tea mother makes when I’ve had a rough day, but he poured a teaspoon of milk into it.
“I can see the struggle within you, so I had your mother make a fresh batch. Everyone’s been on edge since returning from Crystoria and you getting so ill.”
My throat clogged, and I sipped the tea to clear out the stupid emotions.
Bad guy. Bad guy. Verin is bad, he’s lied to me.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. Though I feel as if something has changed within you.” He bit into a cookie and his head tilted to the side. Analyzing me, I could feel his gaze searching for a hole in my armor.
“I am nervous about the engagement. It feels like more than just a marriage. Mother said it was for duty, and to forge allies for a coming war with Verin.” The king didn’t flinch when I said his name.
“And for your happiness,” he added. “I know arranged marriages aren’t always built on passion, but that prince wants you to be happy. He will be good for you. Keep you out of trouble.”
I rolled my eyes and drank the rest of the tea.
“You don’t see it now, little gem, but over time that spirit will burn everything around you. Like an uncontrollable blaze. It is best to douse the flames to a gentle and manageable ember.”
“I’d rather burn.” I huffed and wished I didn’t.
Golden eyes stared into me.
Did I give something away? The way he was looking at me, through me... a shiver shot down my spine.
The king sighed and refilled my cup, then added more milk.
“I’ll see what I can do. Perhaps we can push the wedding back a few more months. But allying with as many kingdoms as we can for the upcoming war is crucial. Verin has wanted to break the status quo for decades. I fear he may strike soon.”
True, all true statements.
“Is there anything else we can do?” I asked, hoping Verin would tell me more truths since he knew I could tell if he was lying.
Everything I said so far felt normal and innocent enough.
Not like I was snooping for information to take him, the bad guy down.
Just the illusive evil king no one had ever seen in person.
He handed me a cup and poured more for himself but didn’t add the milk.
“When I passed by his kingdom, there was silent energy radiating amongst the land. Like a fuse had been lit but nothing exploded yet.” He sipped from his cup and looked at the waterfall.
“I think we will try our best, but in the end, I don’t believe anything can stop his evil plan to cover the realm in darkness.”
My hand warmed.
Truth. Verin was telling me his truth and I wasn’t dead yet.
“I was afraid you’d say that.” Pretend Sapphira, keep pretending. “I’ll try harder with Tor. If his kingdom helps against Verin, then I’ll do what I must to protect us.” I finished my tea and plopped a cookie into my mouth.
“Just like your mother. Will always do right by her people. I’m proud of you, little gem.”
Tor came back a few moments later to which conversation swiftly shifted to the rare peal collection Tor’s father sent to share with us.
But my mind was still lost in Verin’s words. He truly believed there wasn’t anything we could do to stop him.
I mentally scoffed.
That claim only spurred me further. I’d beat him at his game, but I’d need a little help first.