Page 46 of Autumn Queens & Shadows

Lord Kirkwall raised a brow, “Then why are you marrying him?”

“He’s pretty to look at.”

A few of my court members stared at me outrageously, but others simply ducked their heads and began shifting through the court documents they had brought in for me to see and discuss.

Only one was amused by what I said. Malik was grinning ear to ear.

And it was settled. Our engagement had just been recognised by the Winter Court, and within tonight, it would have reached every Isjordian home. Iskyla, too.

They all stood and left soon after.

Him, too.

“Off so soon?” I asked.

His hand stopped on the door handle, and he shot me a look over his shoulder. “Why? Miss my pretty face already?”

“Severely,” I said, leaning back on my chair. “Sit. There are things I wish to discuss with you.”

“Such as.”

“Sit.”

Crossing his arms, he leaned back on the door. “Say please.”

My nerves burned. “We’re not having a ceremony. Elias will get a priest and we will sign the marriage certificate in a meeting for all the court to see. Tomorrow, even.”

“No.”

“It wasn’t a question.”

“It wasn’t up for discussion. There will be a ceremony. You’ll get your pretty little arse in a big dress and you’re going to walk up to me in front of the court, and they will witness you saying you will cherish and love me in front of a real priest.”

He had to be out of his gods damned mind. “Why?”

“Personal reasons.”

“Do share.”

“You aren’t my friend anymore. You said that. Me and you are just two people who shared secrets. Nothing more. Why would I owe you an explanation?”

I didn’t…I didn’t deserve this. “Why are you trying to hurt me?”

“Why would it hurt you?”

This time, I didn’t look away. “Take a guess. You know all my deepest and darkest secrets. Even the last one.” It was the last secret of mine I’d told him. The night before he’d left for Seraphim and not looked back.

The thing left in this realm that I hate most is that I’ve ever wanted you.

Good, he’d said. Hate me.

But I’d never really hated him. Only myself for wanting him.

“Do you still hate it?”

“Now more than ever.”

He was there. Before I could pull open the door to my room, I knew he was there. There was very little light inside the room, but I could make out the shape of his half naked body standing before the sofa he’d claimed as his bed. He ran a towel over his long wet hair and down his neck, stopping to look at me over his shoulder when I closed the door shut.