Chapter 15
I applaud your desire to ensure your stepdaughter’s safety, but as you are well aware, we were inseparable while under your care.
I take full responsibility for Sorrow Villente’s injuries and want nothing more than to apologise and make amends.
My actions were reckless, and I deeply regret the dire consequences Sorrow has faced.
It’s been years now, my liege, years. I beg you, please tell me where Sorrow is.
— LETTERS FROM KING MATTHIAS OF ASMAR TO KING ROMERO IV
Seven days after I’d arrived at the Palace of Solace, I strode through the grand corridors with my head high and a slight tremor in my fingers.
Navigating the labyrinthine hallways was the only aspect of my new life where I possessed any semblance of confidence.
The lack of control smothered my existence.
Despite the fact I’d survived, I wasn’t about to master Evella’s gift anytime soon.
I was now responsible for the deaths of several mice.
The majority of failed experiments had simply scampered away under gaps in the floorboards, unwilling to bend to my increasingly desperate pleas for them to obey.
One of the first became a snack for the wolf after it writhed uncontrollably on the table following its death, and I refuse to accept any blame for that poor creature’s demise.
I did, however, suffer a pang of regret for the two who’d simply flung themselves out of the fourth-floor window, rather than succumb to my feeble demands.
The only breakthrough was when I rehabilitated a trembling white mouse who tried to drown in the jug of overly sweet mead Glesni insisted on drinking.
I cursed as laughter floated down the corridor, my heart stuttering at the unmistakable sound of Matthias’s voice.
Our paths hadn’t crossed since my arrival over a week ago.
He’d been true to his word about our marriage of convenience.
My time was spent with Skye or Asher, both of whom were overly apologetic for my new husband’s absence.
Matthias and I existed in separate spaces under a shared roof. After his light flirting on the journey I’d hoped… hoped what? To rekindle our budding adoration?
Following my fall from the horse, his abandonment had been complete.
My inseparable shadow, my ally, had forsaken our friendship in a heartbeat.
We’d both known the hidden corridors of Romero’s castle like the backs of our hands.
At first, I’d made excuses for his absence.
But if his heart had truly been mine, he’d have found a way to get to me.
Matthias had left me with nothing but ever-souring memories.
Why hadn’t he just sent a word, a note, a letter?
As the empty days turned into months and years, I’d set all thoughts of Matthias Elmswood aside.
We were no longer the single entwined soul we’d been as children.
I’d hidden from those feelings, refused to allow my mind to wander through thoughts of his soft gaze, how I melted at his smile.
Refused to recall how my hand fit within his with a perfection the Gods must envy.
Matthias Elmswood was a cut from the sharpest dagger, and I’d cauterised his memory. Until now.
Now I woke, ate, slept in his palace. His bride. His queen.
Tugging on Pablo’s thick fur, I willed him to turn around, but his ears flattened as he stalked forward.
‘Don’t forget I’m a queen now,’ I hissed as the heavy boots and laughter grew. ‘I can turn you into a nice rug if you don’t behave.’
Pablo huffed, and looked up, daring me to even think about it.
A group of guards crashed into the corridor before halting, a mix of jittery moves and confused glances at the sight of me and Pablo.
‘Sorrow!’
Blinking at the shadows, I sought out Matthias’s expression.
Seeking out any clues as to what lurked in his mind.
All I could make out were the creases of his white shirt, the top buttons open, revealing a smooth tanned chest which caught my attention for far longer than it should.
One corner of the shirt was already spilling over the side of his dark trousers.
Was this the Matthias I’d laughed with? A new ache slid into my chest as this dishevelled king echoed the boy I’d adored. I schooled my features into neutrality.
‘I…’ His guards flanked him as Matthias combed the strands of unruly hair away from his eyes, his voice faltering as though he’d forgotten his wife existed. I approached, hoping I could squeeze past and continue to the library. ‘These are my personal guards.’
I raised my brow as I peered at their blurry uniforms. ‘Thank you for pointing out the obvious. Otherwise I’d have mistaken them for your harem.’
It was easy to ignore the way the men stared wide-eyed at me through the swirls of my vision.
‘Gentlemen.’
I stifled a laugh at Matthias’s high pitch.
‘I haven’t had the pleasure to introduce everyone. May I present to you your queen.’
Oh Gods, the five guards fell to their knees, heads bowed and fists clenched by their hearts.
Mirth danced in Matthias’s eyes, a playful smile on the corner of his lips.
The bastard knew I’d hate this. We’d been beaten more than once after hiding behind snivelling courtiers, making fart sounds every time they’d fallen to their knees before Romero.
‘I erm…’ I had to regain the upper hand. ‘I thank you but you can, you know…’
‘Rise,’ Matthias said and, as one, his guard stood. Their brows furrowed. ‘Go ahead and arrange the horses and resources, please. I need to speak to your queen.’
They were a blur of smiling faces and warm voices as they passed, avoiding Pablo who focused his amber gaze on them. My head twisted in Matthias’s direction. Resources? Was he leaving?
‘Where are you going?’
Matthias grimaced, the smile fading from his face. My body clammed up as he closed the gap between us. We hadn’t been alone like this since the night we’d shared Amala’s oversized rooms, and I didn’t like the way my body turned towards him.
‘I’m sorry.’ He swallowed. ‘I have to go and gather support from my council. We need more Anomalies if we’re going to fight the empress, but I swear, I won’t be gone long. A week at the most.’
I hated how my chest pinched at the thought of his absence. It wasn’t as though we’d spent any time together. We hadn’t even been in the same room since I’d arrived.
‘Right.’
His expression softened as my voice cracked.
‘Take care then.’
I should be relieved at the prospect of his trip, so why did this news of his departure cleave another hole in my chest?
My heart hammered. I stepped to his side, thinking I’d simply slink past, but his hand flew out, wrapping softly around my wrist. Instantly, Pablo snarled, his canines exposed, harsh gaze locked on my husband’s hand.
Matthias’s nostrils flared. Neither of them was prepared to back down.
I yanked my arm free, tucking it close to my chest.
‘I was going to find you before I left. I swear.’
I smirked. ‘Of course you were.’
Confusion swept across his features. Matthias looked down, inhaling sharply before looking up again. For a few, frantic heartbeats, my vision held true, while he held me in place with his gaze.
‘I’ve heard you’re sorting my mouse problem. Glesni tells me you’ve got rid of more mice in one week than the whole colony of our four-legged mousers have in the last ten years.’
My spine stiffened. ‘I’ve been training. It hasn’t been easy.’
Matthias reached to take my hand, cursing as Pablo lurched at him.
‘I don’t think kings are supposed to use language like that, Matthias.’ I clicked my tongue.
‘I was hoping you’d be able to control your… mutt.’ He eyed the wolf warily, cradling his hand. ‘He tore my robe the other night.’
‘Robe?’ I shook my head. ‘Why would he do that?’
Matthias’s wide-eyed gaze shot onto mine, his mouth fumbling for the words.
‘I…’ He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I’ve been so busy with rallying support against the threat of Carush.
We haven’t had a single moment to talk. By the time I get out of meetings, the servants tell me you’ve already retired.
’ He let out a shaky breath. ‘And I know you want space, you need space, but then I remember when we were children. I’d sneak into your room or you’d sneak into mine and we’d curl up… ’
He looked to the side. A muscle ticked in his jaw as though he were at war with his words. ‘I wanted to see you. You’re my wife, Sorrow, and I’m so tired.’
This. This was why I wasn’t safe when he was around. My pulse spiked, a warning to run. Matthias had tried to reach out to me and my heart and mind battled over what to make of it.
‘What stopped you?’
‘That fucking wolf. He leapt off your bed and dragged me back to my rooms.’
A snigger, unbidden and uninvited, burst out. I bit my lip as Matthias’s eyes lit up. His shoulders shook before that smile broke out on his face and suddenly we were chuckling. Real and easy.
There he was. Matthias – my Matthias – a young man of twenty-three years, and not the king drowning under the weight of an ill-fitting crown and the threat of invasion.
For the space of a few breaths, the years, the deceit, the crucifying heartbreak, all vanished like a wisp.
For a few precious heartbeats, it was us once more.
A girl and a boy, who only knew how to adore each other.
Then the boy blinked, the muscles of his stubbled jaw tensed, and the king stood before me again.
I took a step back, hitting the wall. Anything to stop myself seeking the familiar comfort of his arms. No matter how much history we had, or how my heart did a traitorous flip each and every time he flashed his damn smile, he’d still let me down. It had still taken him eight years to find me.
Matthias released a deep breath. ‘There’s something else you need to know. Romero has sent a message. He’s sending Danté Lommond for what he calls a diplomatic visit.’
‘Danté?’ Oh Gods, Romero truly hated us. ‘The same Duke Danté who tried to beat you when you were a boy? The one who called you rebel scum?’
Matthias nodded. ‘The one you punched so hard he ended up on his backside minus two of his teeth.’
I smirked at the memory of the duke, a few years older than us, the red rage plastered on his round face after I’d overheard what he’d said to Matthias.
‘And I’m so sorry, but as I have to go away…’
My eyes closed. The reality of the situation slammed into me as hard as my fists on Danté’s jaw. The responsibility for entertaining the damned duke fell to me.
‘And I need you to do a few other tasks too,’ Matthias added. ‘If you wouldn’t mind.’
‘Have you forgotten how I don’t like being told what to do?’
A smile played on his lips. ‘Then I’ll make some requests and you can choose whether or not to carry them out. But this is Danté, Sorrow. Remember what will happen if he suspects this marriage is a sham and reports back to Romero.’
I leaned against the scarlet wall. ‘Must you leave?’ I bristled against the need in my voice.
‘I know, if I could stay, I would. But Sorrow, if Romero discovers your gift…’ He blew out a long breath, ran his fingers through his hair which immediately fell back across his eyes.
‘Your training’s vital. It has to continue, but you’ll have to go to Glesni’s private rooms so Danté doesn’t suspect anything and… ’
There was the sheepish look. I wasn’t going to like this.
‘You’ll have to stay away from the library.’
‘No.’ I shook my head and moved away from the wall. ‘I can’t—’
‘He’s only here for a week or so, just a week. If you give Skye a list of what to look for, she can help. The last thing we need is for Danté to be spying on your work here, feeding it to Romero.’
My eyes closed and I grimaced. This would hold everything up. I’d sorted through which books, records and maps were useful, but hadn’t had the opportunity to start my research properly yet.
‘Skye is more than willing to help.’ His face broke into a warm smile, and I suspected he’d timed this one to try and tug on my heartstrings. It wasn’t working. ‘She’s really fond of you. I think.’
He moved forward and suddenly the corridor constricted. He boxed me in against the wall, and my body, my stupid body, melted. My breath caught as his eyes raked over my features. A tremble ran through me as his voice lowered. ‘I think she might idolise you a bit. All she wants is to impress you.’
The hallway, the impending visit vanished, and there was only Matthias.
He tucked a stray lock of my dark hair behind my ear.
I should push him away. Say goodbye, wish him well and get to the library.
But then his eyes flicked down to my lips, and a treacherous warmth spread through me.
He met my gaze again, and somehow my head tipped.
He leaned towards me, his sweet breath warming my flushed cheeks…
Pablo growled, and Matthias froze. His wide eyes met mine, and he swallowed.
‘Your wolf is about to bite my arse,’ he whispered.
I laughed, clicking my fingers.
Matthias pulled away as the wolf came to my side. Someone had earned an extra steak.
‘He’s rather protective,’ I said, breathing easier as I turned down the corridor. ‘I’ll try, Matthias. I’ll get a list for Skye, and I’ll train with Glesni. If that’s what it takes to keep Romero Thorne off our backs and give us a chance, I’ll try.’
He was smiling as I turned away, fighting the urge to peer back over my shoulder and take one last look at my husband before he left.
‘But being diplomatic to Danté? That’s one request too far.’
Matthias barked out a laugh as the soft tread of his boots faded down the corridor, and I chanced a hazy peek over my shoulder.
He didn’t look back.