I paid no mind to the whispers regarding my proximity to him, the public having no knowledge that my betrothal to Damien was done with. I felt their stares, the sharp looks as some of them recognized who Matthew was. He didn’t care about what they would say about him, but I did. Not because of how it would reflect on me, but because he was my mate. The person I would spend the rest of my existence with. I couldn’t stand the thought of others thinking ill about him. Matthew was not his father, not by a long shot.
Gently, he coaxed me back behind the half-wall with the rest of our group. Almost as soon as we took our place, sparks of light flew from where Erina’s body lay, swirling with the smoke burning from the pyre and disappearing into the sky. I’d seen nothing as terrifyingly beautiful, knowing her soul was free to pass on to the other side with our blessing. Murmurs echoed around us, gasps of shock from the rare display we’d just witnessed.
Matthew pulled my body next to his, wrapping his arm around me as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head. Surrounded by my closest friends and family, we stood, in horror and awe, as we watched my sister’s body burn and return to the gods.
* * *
We madethe short trek back to the palace, the crowds throwing flowers or holding candles as we walked. Fresh tears fell down their faces, showing how much they loved and cared about their princess and what her loss meant to them.
My father and I took the time to greet those who stepped forward, shaking hands and accepting their deepest condolences. Our companions walked dutifully around us, on high alert, given how exposed we were. Matthew never strayed from my side, and I knew gossip would spread through the city by morning. Damage control would fall on Luka, since he had taken on the role of advisor, and I knew my friend could spin a tale of true love and unfortunate circumstances in life.
The palace gates appeared in the distance, the high wall around them lit up with large wrought iron lanterns at the guard posts. My patience was wearing thin, each word of condolence echoing in my mind until it was all I could hear, but I held strong the rest of the way.
Though the crowd had thinned, many vendors in the nearby market stayed open later than usual. Local taverns and pubs would overflow, many making toasts to Erina’s memory the same way it had been done with my mother.
With a last look behind us, my father and I bid our people goodnight and stepped through the gates. I held my breath until I heard the locks snap into place. Matthew wrapped his arm around me, and I let myself close my eyes and breathe in his heady scent. Leather and sandalwood, perhaps a bit of smoke lingering from the fire. I sucked in a deep breath, pressing my nose to his chest.
He chuckled softly, running his hand down my back and pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Come, darling. Let’s get you in bed.”
Kalen, Luka, and Renai glanced at each other before pointing behind them. “I think we’re going to go out for a bit. It’s been—” Luka paused, glancing at me before continuing, “—a rough couple of days. It’d be nice to let off some steam.”
Kalen held out his hand in my direction. “Care to join, Princess?” I couldn’t help but notice as he glanced above my head, where Matthew was undoubtedly giving him a cutting look. Kalen only shrugged.
I shook my head, my body leaning into Matthew’s as I struggled to stay on my feet. My head was empty of thoughts or feelings, just the need to sleep.
The three of them turned around and left via the private entrance so the main gates could remain closed. My father turned to me, looking at the way Matthew held me, and smiled sadly. “You did well today, Eva. Your sister,” his voice broke, a sad smile on his face. “Erina looked beautiful.” He turned his gaze to Trystan, who was standing a few steps away and staring at his feet. “And you, Trystan. Thank you as well.”
Trystan glanced up, his eyes widening in surprise. “I would have done it regardless, Your Majesty.”
My father smiled. “I know, son. I know.” He paused. “Would you care to have a drink with me?”
“Me?” Trystan echoed, looking behind him.
My father shrugged. “Yes, I think it will be good to pass my time with someone who understands my grief.”
Trystan staggered forward, nodding his head uneasily. “Y—Yes, Your Majesty. I think I’d enjoy that.”
My father gave a half-hearted smile, the type that broke my heart because it showed everything he was trying to hide.“I would as well. Eva, Matthew—if the two of you have time to spare—”
“We would love to, Father,” I said quickly, cutting him off. After being away for as long as we were, I didn’t want to rush off just yet. I wanted to soothe my father’s pain, even if only for an hour.
We headed inside, none of us speaking on the way to my father’s rooms. The smell of mahogany and pipe tobacco filled my nose as I stepped inside. I loved the way it smelled here–always had since I was a child. There were days I found myself creeping inside while he was drafting personal correspondence or reading a new report he’d been given. Sometimes I sat in his entry, letting the aroma ground me.
Matthew walked over and poured four drinks with a heavy hand, distributing them amongst us. The fireplace lay dormant, giving the room a slight chill. With the flick of my wrist, it came to life, burning brightly in the evening air and sending warmth throughout the room.
Matthew’s eyes shifted toward me, and I met his gaze. Words weren’t needed to convey the unease he felt, I knew he had hesitations when it came to my control. What else could he expect? I was not going to let my powers go to waste because he deemed them dangerous.
My father cleared his throat, drawing our attention away from the non-verbal fight between Matthew and I. “I wanted to thank you all for joining me this evening. The loss of one's child…” he shook his head, voice wobbling. “It is something I would not wish on my worst enemy.”
Trystan traced the rim of his glass pensively, his eyes far off and distant. His voice was thick as he spoke. “I hope you know you are the type of father every man should endeavor to be.” My father blinked, stunned at the admission laid before him. But before he could respond, Trystan chuckled as he brought the crystal to his lips for a sip of whiskey. “And I don’t think Lachlan would mourn the loss of his children as you do.” Matthew inclined his head in agreement.
“Be that as it may, it is nice to be amongst you after what have been some of the worst weeks of my life.” My father gestured in my direction, a sad smile stretching across his lips. “I do not know what I would have done if he had gotten to you as well. There would be no reason to go on.”
“You won’t have to worry about that, father,” I said quickly, assuaging his fears. “I am here to stay, and to assist in anything you need. In fact, I was thinking that I could go into town tomorrow and–”
“Actually, we should take a day to rest after getting back. Maybe talk to Kalen, Renai, and Luka about what’s been going on around here,” Matthew said, flashing a smile that would seem genuine to everyone but me. I knew better, though. This was simply his way of limiting my exposure to the public. Should anything go wrong, he knew it would kill me.
While this was something that someone more level-headed would have smiled back and thanked him for being considerate, I felt nothing but exasperation. It built inside, causing me to grip the whiskey glass tightly. Something dark slid into my mind, coating every inch in an oily sheen that refused to be scrubbed away; flashbacks of a man who once had the best intentions until they turned into something more dangerous. “And what if I do not wish to rest?” I hissed, narrowing my eyes. “I have been resting for two weeks.”
