My brother places a hand on my thigh and squeezes in warning, as if he knows I want to launch myself across the desk and attack our father. I glare at the king, trying to measure my breaths.
“The absolute last thing this court needs is a scandal,” Colin chimes in diplomatically. “With news of my daughter’s birth, this whole fiasco should blow over before the day is out.”
Father sits back in his chair, his fingers tapping idly on his desk. “A royal execution would definitely put a damper on things,” he admits.
I try not to show my relief. “I’ll apologize to Lord Havordshire,” I grit out.
“See that you do.”
“Is there anything else you require of me, Father?”
“That’s it for now. But don’t forget our discussion from before. If your wife doesn’t make herself useful soon, I might punish her after all.”
I nod stiffly, pat my brother on the back once more, and flee Father’s study.
Everything is going to shit. Raelyn has forgotten me once again and doesn’t realize what she is. There are so many answers to search for, but I’m not sure where to start.
I head for the infirmary to make my official apology to Dylan, hating every step in his direction. I’ll apologize, but I will also make it exceedingly clear that if he steps one foot near my wife again, he will find himself without his favorite body part. Hells, perhaps the Shadow might pay him a visit.
Chapter Forty-Five
RAELYN
Kian shows up in our wing looking rather worse for wear. I can’t fight the draw to him, which I suppose makes sense, considering I did know him before he was taken from me . . . but is it wrong that I enjoyed waking with his arms around me? Is it wrong that I want him to hold and kiss me?
I blow out a breath, continuing to flip through the pages of a book I found in our room. He must be really interested in the gods. Every single book I pick up is filled with stories and fables . . . genealogies of demi-gods.
“How are you feeling?” Kian asks, dropping onto the settee next to me.
“Confused? But much the same as before.” I fiddle with the pages of the book. “Are you really into the gods or something?”
Kian chuckles. “Yes, but those are booksyou’vebeen reading, actually.”
My brows rise. “That doesn’t sound like me at all.”
“Well, there are some things I’ve been meaning to tell you . . .”
I gulp. What new revelation is headed for me now? I pull my robe a little tighter, as if it could protect me. “Please just spit it out, Kian. I’m trying not to panic.”
“You were researching the gods because we discovered you have godsblood.”
“You’ve got to be joking.”
Kian reaches over, tugging on a tendril of hair that’s come out of my bun. “I’m not . . . and unfortunately, it is something we need to keep to ourselves.”
I frown, trying to put the pieces together. “Is it a crime to have godsblood? Doesn’t your family have it?”
Kian moves his hand to cradle my cheek, and I want to melt into him. He feels so good . . . so right, and it takes all of my self-control not to climb into his lap.
“Perhaps if it were severely diluted like ours, it wouldn’t be as big a deal . . .”
“Mine is not?”
“I spoke with your father today . . . and he confessed that he’s been drugging you to keep you from discovering your heritage.”
“Drugging me? What? How?” I sputter.
“Your daily tonic.”
