Rae looks like the goddess she is, draped in green and gold. Her hair falls in gentle waves around her face, and as inappropriate as it probably is, all I can think about is slicing the gown from her body and wrapping that hair around my fist so I can?—
My father’s voice breaks into my daydream like a pail of icy water thrown over me. “What do you have to say for her, princess?”
“While I have no love for my stepmother, I do not wish her dead.” Rae speaks clearly.
“What would you have me do?” the king asks.
“Your Majesty, I do not pretend to have all your wisdom and knowledge . . .”
I try not to snort. She has far more than he ever will.
“But I believe it would be just to strip her of her title and wealth and send her to work in the farmlands.”
“I beg your pardon?” Lady Astoria raises her voice, a note of panic in it. “I wouldn’t survive out there!”
The king has an amused grin on his face. “I like the way you think, princess. I approve of your suggestion with one caveat.” The entire room seems to hold a collective breath, waiting for his judgment. “Send her to the borderlands, to Paiden. I have no desire to lay eyes on her again.” He looks to his advisor, Ethan. “Make it so.”
“No!” Lady Astoria shrieks. “Please, Your Majesty, have mercy!”
“Get her out of here,” the king commands, and the guards drag her out. Good riddance.
“Your Majesty?” Rae asks.
He turns his attention back to her. “Yes, my dear?”
“What will you do with my brother and sisters?”
“Ah, yes, I almost forgot. Well, as they no longer have parents, spouses, or any estate to speak of, would you like to take responsibility for them?”
Rae rolls her shoulders back and shakes her head. “No, Your Majesty.”
Chessa starts to cry rather loudly, and Erika sends a seething glance in Rae’s direction. What did they expect? They abandoned her. Rae owes them nothing. They don’t even share blood.
“However, I believe my father has a distant relative in Sillamae. Perhaps they can be sent there.”
“Perfect,” the king says. “Well, if this unpleasantness is over, I’d like to get to my dinner.” He rises from his throne and is escorted by his guards out the side door.
Rae returns to my side, sliding onto the bench. “I’m so glad that’s over.”
I press a kiss to her forehead. “You and me both, love.”
“Do we need to join your father for dinner?” she asks.
“Absolutely not.” I grin. “I have plans to unwrap my dinner in our wing.”
Rae’s cheeks tinge bright pink, but her eyes glimmer with desire. “Lead the way.”
Grabbing her hand, we swiftly make our exit, only to be stopped by Rae’s sisters and her sulking brother. Erika and Chessa stand with their arms crossed, bodies practically vibrating with anger.
“How could you?” Chess whines. “No one wants to live in stinky Sillamae! You have everything you ever wanted. Why can’t you make space for us?”
Rae narrows her eyes. “What? You want me to give you my room here the way you stole mine at the manor?”
Erika shoves past Chess and puts on what I think is her best attempt at an apologetic look. “Listen, Rae, I’m sorry for how we handled things at home. It was wrong of us to take advantage of you and allow Stepmother to treat you that way.”
“Out of everyone, I thought you and I had something of a relationship, a friendship, even,” Rae says to Erika. “And yet, the minute it became inconvenient, you left me to rot.” She taps a finger on her chin. “Should I call the king back and have him send you to Paiden with darling Stepmother? Backbreaking labor is quite character-building.”
Chessa gasps. “You wouldn’t dare.”
