Page 66 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

“The choice is yours, of course. I won’t tell you what you should do. Royal children are such a rare gift—I wouldn’t stop you if you chose not to take it.”

Her words settle heavily in my chest, my mouth suddenly dry. I murmur a quiet thank you before tipping the vial back, swallowing the bitter liquid in one go. Surely a second dose couldn’t hurt. “You’re not upset?”

The Queen’s eyes soften, a quiet warmth lighting her expression as her lips curve. “My dear, anger is the last thing I feel. Quite the opposite, actually. I’m overjoyed that you and my son have found a love like yours.” Her gaze drifts for a moment, becoming distant. “Aki and I were never in love before the Ceremony. I suppose that’s why I find myself…unhappy that you must have one at all.”

The door opens, and Ryker steps inside, dressed in trousers and a jacket—every inch the prince.

“Mother,” he says, sitting beside me.

Leif opens the door again, allowing Mera, Aza, and Zhel to file in.

I lean into Ryker without thinking, letting his presence steady something inside me.

Queen Priana tilts her head, studying us both before she says, “I don’t have a good feeling about the Ceremony. We should consider whether there’s another way.”

Unease prickles along my spine, though I can’t tell if it’s instinct or simple superstition. Lately, everything feels like it could be a warning.

She rises, gesturing toward my ladies, and the six of us move into the larger living space. If we were back at the palace, this wouldn’t feel like anything unusual.

The men excuse themselves, heading down toward the private beach while my ladies’ maids begin preparing me for the evening.

I’m quickly dressed in a beautiful bluish-silver gown with gold encrusted embroidery along the tight corset bodice and flowing trains from both my back and biceps. Queen Priana circles me as the girls brush out my hair, and Mera begins on my makeup.

Ryker leans against the wall with his arms crossed and an ankle crossed over the other, looking nonchalant and at ease.

“Interesting,” the Queen mutters. “Anders, come here.” She waves, gesturing for him to stand behind me.

The heat from his body seeps into my cool skin, enveloping me like a warm blanket. I try to fight the smile, but I can’t, and Mera chastises me for not holding still.

“Do you know what my gift is, Raea?” she asks after long moments of looking between the two of us.

I shake my head, attempting to hold as still as possible as Aza and Zhel braid my hair and Mera pats my cheeks with blush.

“Many people believe I can sense emotions, but it’s more than that.” She takes a seat just beyond Mera so I can still see her. “I can read people’s auras. You and my son—” She pauses, glancing between us again. “Yours is almost identical when you’re near each other. I didn’t catch it before, but just now, I saw the switch when he moved away. And now, they’re are almost…blending.”

Her voice trails off as she looks us over, studying the two of us. Ryker’s hands slide over my shoulders, brushing down my arms, leaving goosebumps in his wake.

Chapter 25

Raea

The moment the heavy palace doors close and the heralds announce our names, the 'Prince and Princess' masks snap back into place. But my need to feel his hands on me doesn't care about protocols.

We slip away to the beach below the cliffs before the meetings begin, desperate for one more hour where we don't have to be royal.

“The air smells like you,” I say, wrapping my arms around Ryker as we walk along the beach below the palace.

He hums lazily, wrapping an arm around my waist and dipping me for a quick, chaste kiss. His citrus scent isn't just a smell anymore—it’s my anchor. The need for him makes my skin feel too tight when we aren't touching, and every second our hands are interlaced feels like my internal battery is finally recharging.

“I wish I could bottle it up and take it home with me.” Ryker hums warmly and kisses my forehead.

Gods, last night couldn’t have been more perfect.

After the Queen left, Ryker distracted me by toying with my gown, earning a reproachful glare from Mera and a warning not to mess it up. Little did I know we had a meeting with Okenen’s publicity team, to which I zoned out for parts of it while I thought about every interaction I have ever had with Ryker and wondered why I ever fought this undeniable, insatiable love and need for him. I had been lying to myself for so long, refusing to see him—all of him. Now, I can’t imagine life without him. He’s already so essential to my entire being.

The sun catches my ring, and I let out a little squeal for the thousandth time today.

“Is this a good enough spot?” he asks, stopping so that Maya, his social manager, can grab a quick photo of us.