Page 63 of Crowned In Sin

“It’s beautiful here,” I tell him. “I am glad you invited me. I am glad to be here.”

“I am glad you came,” he replies, and presses a kiss to my cheek. “These rooms are here for you and Isabel for as long as you wish to stay. And I must admit, Princess…I hope it is not a short visit. I hope you make this castle your home.”

Chapter 28

Cora

The refreshing bath and a change of clothes were everything I needed. It’s almost as if I am a different person. Or as if I am on my way to becoming the woman I am meant to be. For some reason, I have the feeling it is more likely here, in this castle by the sea, that I’m my true self more than it was when I was living with my father.

My father has always been good to me. My desire to defy him was more about my own wish for freedom than it was about rebellion. Here, where Jasper and Casen grew up, I don’t feel the memories of childhood weighing on me. There are no constant reminders of my mother, who I loved so dearly and who I was forever compared to.

I love her, but I am ready to live my life.

In my room, there are a set of doors leading out to a balcony. In the afternoon sun, the sea breeze gently caresses my face. The sun is only just beginning to set. The beautiful shades of orange and pink are a sight to see. One I’ve never witnessed before. And there are so many more sunsets left to see. We still have many long days of summer left, and I am certain that the timing must have been determined by fate. I know there are the same number of hours in the day all year long, but people retreat during the winter, sleeping more and staying away from the cold, so even now the earth is encouraging us to be alert and awake, to spend time together.

After a moment of quiet contemplation to myself, I knock on the door that connects to Isabel’s room once I am settled in my thoughts.

“Come in, Cora,” she calls, sounding cheerful and relaxed. The handle is an intricately carved iron and even that small touch I love. Again, I’ve never seen a handle so different from our own. I go through into her rooms and find her putting on earrings at a white vanity that spans most of one corner. It’s so perfect for her that I wonder for a few minutes if the princes spent time learning about her, too, so that she might have every comfort during our stay. “This castle is heaven,” she says, meeting my eyes in the mirror. “When I return home, I will have to suggest to Philip that we visit.”

“If I stay,” I reply, trying out the idea on my closest friend first, “then you must come and visit often. You cannot be a stranger and leave me to my own devices. I’m not interested in a life that leaves behind my dearest friends.”

“I don’t think your prince—your princes—would allow such a thing.” Isabel stands from the vanity and looks me over. “They clearly can think of nothing but your happiness. Did you not notice the way they watched you as we toured the castle? Both of them were alert for any sign that you were displeased.”

“I…don’t know,” I say, my face flushing. “The castle is so beautiful. The princes are…they are both so handsome, in their own ways.”

“I quite agree,” Isabel says, and I know she is telling me the truth. “What do you think, Cora? Are you ready to go down to dinner?”

I put my arm through hers. “I think I’m ready for more than dinner.”

Isabel laughs at my boldness, and it makes my heart light as we go out and down the stairs to find our hosts.

It is an intimate dinner—just the four of us. I’d almost expected for more members of the princes’ court to attend, but the castle does not seem busy in that way. I don’t know how much I would appreciate the relative privacy. The small table makes it seem as if we four are the only people in the world aside from the cupbearers and cooks.

I’m also glad for Isabel’s company. I can imagine quite clearly how overwhelmed I would feel this first evening with only the eyes of the two princes on me. Even with Isabel at the table, there is heat between the three of us—a current that does not include her, though Prince Jasper keeps up conversation with both of us as naturally as if we were two pairs.

It’s so clear, during the meal, that he cares deeply for his brother as well. Prince Jasper includes Prince Casen in the stories he tells about their childhood, and often Prince Casen will make a gesture that seems to remind Prince Jasper of some detail he had forgotten. Prince Jasper always laughs, seeming to know what his brother is referring to without him speaking a word.

Once or twice, Prince Casen writes something on a slip of paper and slides it across the table to his brother. I understand with a glance from Prince Jasper that once Prince Casen is more comfortable, he may address these notes to the table at large, but it is still early. We are all getting used to each other.

As for me, it does not take long before the sense that I would be overwhelmed when faced with the two of them together leaves. I stop imagining their focus trained on me as something that must be confronted and begin to think of it as something I will be able to bask in, even when the table is larger and there are more guests.

When we’re finished eating and the last of the wine has been poured, a maiden appears at Isabel’s elbow.

“Ah, yes,” Prince Jasper says. “My mother cultivated the palace gardens for many years, and she left her most trusted people to maintain them. I’d heard you had a fondness for gardens, Isabel, and thought you might enjoy a tour. Joan is quite knowledgeable about the plants currently at fullest bloom and would be happy to show them to you.”

“I would,” Isabel agrees instantly, her face alight. We have spent many hours together in the gardens at my father’s castle. She stands and takes the servant’s offered arm. “I’ve heard many stories of the gardens by the seas, and I am delighted to see them in person. Is it true that⁠—”

Her voice trails off as they leave.

Jasper rises from his seat at the same time Casen does. Jasper offers me his hand, and the three of us go together into a hall toward another room. Every second that passes my palms sweat more and more. The heat between the two of them is nearly unbearable. I can’t stop looking at Casen either. Every etch of his scars compared to the handsome roughness of the either side of his face is a memory.

My heart warms in a way it never has when he gently places his hand on the small of my back. I glance at Jasper when he does and notice the simper on his face. As if he’s fully accepted sharing me. Truly.

With the creak of the door, we enter the smaller room, a study.

One wall, made entirely of shelves, is filled with books. There’s a large desk, a sitting area, and yet another set of doors leading to the balcony. Prince Jasper nods to his brother, then takes a seat. He gestures toward a loveseat across from him while Casen fetches something from the desk.

He joins me on the loveseat a few moments later and places a portable writing desk between us.