Chapter19
Eva
Istood in the old war room, watching the sun rise through a dusty old window. I’d been sifting through maps all evening, trying to find anything that could give us an advantage over Lachlan. So far, I had nothing at all, which only furthered the incessant pounding in my head.
This was not how my life was supposed to go. I was not destined to reign for at least another hundred years, allowing my mother and father to embrace every moment of peace their hard work had brought. Instead, I was left holding my father together after an insurmountable loss, and I was given the throne to rule my kingdom without so much as a warning.
But I could not show an ounce of hesitation or uncertainty. If I did, it would only prove others right about our weakness, and I would rather die than be the reason Aethion ended up under Lachlan’s rule.
I sighed, running a hand through my tangled hair as I looked at the scattered cluster of papers below me. There was so much we didn’t know, too many variables to account for. I could not help but wonder what my mother would do if she were alive.
My mother and father’s reign was momentous, but even they were thrown into one of the largest wars Aethion had ever seen. Did it even matter how great of a ruler one was when the world was filled with people full of darkness? Sooner or later, peace was destined to crumble around us. All it took was one person to get an idea in their head and hold enough passion to rile a crowd, and all of a sudden, anarchy would descend.
The smell of dust and old leather filled my senses. I ran my finger along the spine of a book I had tried to read for the past hour. While it was full of many interesting historical facts, and went over Helian strongholds ingreatdetail, there was nothing that struck me as significant.
“I’d wondered where you’d gone,” Matthew mused quietly from behind me. My hand flew to my chest as I fought the urge to scream. Looking back, he was still dressed in his new court finery. His black jacket was embroidered with startling silver thread around the lapels, and along the fastenings. A small glittering black coronet laid atop his head, almost blending in between his dark hair.
He looked every bit the fearless leader I knew he could be; my dark prince turned into an avenging king.
“Damn you, Matthew,” I said, trying to get my breathing under control. He cracked a wide smile, one I couldn’t help but mirror back at him as he leaned against the doorframe. “Is it your intention to lurk from the shadows, or did you have something else in mind?”
His gaze roamed over my body, heating me in the most delicious places. “As tempting as that is, I admit I had ulterior motives for my visit.” He neared me in three strides, placing his hand on my bare back. He nodded to the papers in front of me. “What is it that you’re working on?”
I blew out a long breath. “This room has not been used in well over a century. It exists now as an archive of sorts for old maps, tomes, and correspondence. I had thought it might show me something that I did not already know, but I’ve had no such luck.”
His strong fingers kneaded the muscles in my neck, and I struggled not to let out a groan. I hadn’t realized how tense I was, not that it should have been a surprise given how much pressure we were under. “You should take a break, darling. Have you slept?”
I shook my head. “No, but I would not have been able to sleep, regardless. There is too much going on for my mind to quiet down on its own.”
He hummed, bracketing me between his arms. His chest pressed into my back, and I enjoyed the feeling of strength I experienced when he was near. “I understand. I’ve been working through a dilemma of my own.”
“Oh, really?” I asked as Matthew ran his nose along my neck. “And what would that be?”
He said nothing, but the silence was not uncomfortable. It was the quiet comfort I enjoyed most—the fact we could be in each other’s company without needing words.
I had heard growing up that to be in love is to never be sad, but that was bullshit. Love had nothing to do with sadness, or anger, or contentment. Love was knowing you could experience something so earth-shatteringly horrible, but love would hold you and tell you that you were going to be okay. Not right now, or even soon, but eventually you would, and love would be right by your side. Love was feeling secure in yourself and your partner, knowing even when you felt a rush of jealousy, it was nothing compared to what you shared with one another.
And that is what I had with Matthew.
“Matthew? I asked quietly when the silence had dragged on.
I turned around and looked up at him. He had been staring out the window, watching the sun rise across the fields. Grays and blues morphed into pinks and oranges, the dawning of a new day bringing new possibilities for everyone. His green eyes shifted, softening as they scanned my face.
“What is your dilemma?” I asked, wetting my lips. “Is there anything I could do to help you sort it out?”
“You are, in fact, the only one whocanhelp me with it,” he said softly before taking a step back. With shaky hands, Matthew reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small, intricate box. I said nothing as my heart accelerated, watching him carefully as he stared down at his hand. “This was my mother’s, you know. It is the only thing I have left of her.”
He lifted the lid, revealing the most stunning pale sapphire underneath. The band it sat upon was a sparkling gray, darker than any silver I had ever seen. There was a glimmering halo of moonlit gems around the blue stone, all shining brighter than midnight stars. I met his suddenly uncertain eyes, stuck between wanting to reach out to him in reassurance and letting him find the strength to finish what he was starting.
“Evalyne Chevalier, you are the most important person in my life. You bring me hope and happiness for a better future. The day I saw you in that ballroom—” he shook his head “—I was gone. Forever yours. Perhaps it was stupid to give myself to you so early, but each day that has passed only cemented my decision. It helps that you’re an absolute goddess, as well.” He shot me a wink, and I laughed. My hand came up to my mouth, shaking with nerves or excitement. I could not think straight. “I want you to know that I am not asking for your hand because it was suggested by your father, I could care less about your station. This day would have come one way or another because I want to tie myself to you in every way imaginable.”
Reaching out, he gripped my hand in his as he dropped to one knee. His thumb brushed over the soft spot above my ring finger, and I shivered. “Will you marry me, princess?” he asked, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand.
I shook my head, realizing my mistake as horror flashed in his eyes. “Oh! No, it’s not that,” I said, choking out a laugh. “But I am no longer a princess. My station’s been upgraded.”
He smiled ruefully. “Queen doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but let me try…” he cleared his throat dramatically and looked into my eyes. “Will you marry me, my queen?”
My heart burst forth, taking off like a bird in flight. I launched myself forward, wrapping my arms around his neck. He stumbled, but corrected his balance and pulled me closer. “Is that a yes?” he asked. “Because this would be a horrible way to say no.”
