“Your late wife?” I ask, confused. The name didn’t match the journal, but I wasn’t about to admit to him that I’d stolen it.
“No, but she was supposed to be.” His eyes shutter. “We’re better off with the gods gone. Mark my words.”
“You can’t possibly be serious,” I retort. “Our realm is dying!”
Lord Astoria raises a brow. “Is it now? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Your sarcasm is delightful,” I quip.
Lord Astoria pushes away from the desk and stands. “I’ve had about enough of your attitude, princeling. You can consider yourself damned lucky I want to protect my daughter, or I’d be headed straight for your father.”
A wry laugh leaves my mouth. “I’m not afraid of you, Cary.”
He turns on his heel, and when he gets to the door, he pauses, looking over his shoulder. “Perhaps you should be.” Then he’s gone.
Well, that didn’t go as planned. I wearily massage my temples, a headache pulsing behind my eyes. I guess I should make my way to my father before he sends someone after me.
To my surprise,Colin is seated across from Father when I enter. The room is already filled with the earthy scent of cigars.
“Are congratulations in order?” I ask as I plop down in the seat next to Colin.
The broadest grin stretches his face. “Juliana delivered a perfect baby girl last night.”
I genuinely smile, slapping Colin’s shoulder. “That’s wonderful news, brother!”
Father grunts. “Too bad it’s not a boy.”
I take a deep breath to keep from lashing out. What an ass. As if a woman couldn’t rule. My mind flashes to Raelyn . . . perhaps the only true heir among us. Even if she doesn’t want to rule, I know she could.
Colin’s smile is so big, he ignores Father’s misogyny and says, “The new princess would love to meet her uncle.”
“Raelyn and I would love to come visit,” I reply.
Colin flinches. “Um, you may want to leave your wife home. Helene is quite put out that you went off and got married out of nowhere.” His eyes drop accusingly to my binding mark.
“I’m bound, Colin. You’ll have to get over it eventually. Sorry it wasn’t to your first choice.”
He scoffs. “That’s not it. I’m rather hurt that you left me out of such an important day of your life.”
I reach over and squeeze his shoulder. “Sorry, brother, but when it’s love, you just can’t help yourself.”
Father clears his throat, and I turn my attention back to him. “Speaking of yourwife, has she lost her memory as the rumor has it?”
I tense up. “It looks that way, Father.”
“So she cannot back up either story.”
“I’m afraid not.”
“You owe Lord Havordshire an apology for how you treated him. The healers have had quite the challenge mending him, and he likely will never regain full use of his left hand.”
I blink, and my voice drops low. “He attacked my wife.”
“Did you see him attack her? Does she claim he attacked her?” My father smiles cruelly.
“You know the answer to that.”
“Thenyouknow that you owe Lord Havordshire an apology. I am well within my rights to imprison your wife for her part in this.”
