The observation deck was stunning.A massive, curved wall of whatever super-science glass they used on the station, looking out over Earth below.It was meant to be grand… a backdrop for the official images that would be beamed across the empire.
He turned her toward the viewport."Look at the stars, Emily."
Camera drones buzzed silently in the air, capturing the moment.The Emperor and his intended, gazing out at their dominion.
He leaned in close.To the cameras, it would look intimate.Lover-like.
"You're doing well," he whispered, his voice low and for her ears only."I know this is difficult.You handled Darryc better than I usually do."
His breath washed over the side of her neck, and memory slammed into her.Raaevik's breath against her skin.Against her lips.His lips on hers, tasting of desperation and the forbidden.The way he had hesitated when he pulled away, as if ripping himself apart.
The blood drained from her face, her knees went weak, and for a second she thought she might actually faint like some kind of Victorian lady.Where were the smelling salts when you needed them?
"Emily?"The emperor's hand tightened on her waist and his voice sharpened with concern."Are you alright?"
Blinking, she forced the stars back into focus.She couldn't fall apart here...not in front of the cameras.Not in front of the court.And definitely not in front of Raaevik.
"I'm fine," she lied, forcing another smile."Just...overwhelmed.It's beautiful."
Daaynal's gaze lingered on her face, a slight frown between his brows.
"It is," he agreed softly."But I think that's enough for today."
He signaled to the guards, and the cameras backed off.The crowd was held back."Escort my mate back to her quarters," Daaynal ordered, looking over her head to Raaevik.
Great.Now everyone got to watch the future empress being escorted out like a kid who couldn't handle the grown-up party.
"Yes, Your Majesty."Raaevik's voice was a deep rumble.There was no hesitation or emotion.
Daaynal squeezed her hand one last time."Rest, Emily.I'll check on you later."
"Thank you," she whispered.
Turning, she walked away.She could feel them watching… of course they were, the show wasn't over yet.Fuck them.Fuck all of them.She just had to make it to the corridor before she lost it completely.
Raaevik fell into step behind her, his boots heavy on the deck plates, and she kept her eyes fixed straight ahead.Because if she turned around and saw that blank expression—if there was nothing on his face after watching Daaynal touch her all night—she was going to lose it right there in the corridor.
What felt like hours later, but was probably only about two minutes, they reached her door.It slid open, and she stepped through before turning.
Raaevik stood in the corridor, like a statue.
"Rest well, my lady," he said.Nothing in his voice.Nothing in his face.
Then the door slid shut, cutting him off.
She stood in the silence of her quarters.The luxury pressed in—all silk dresses and jewels.Lucy was wrong.It wasn’t armor.It was a gilded cage.
She pressed her palms against her eyes.
Two hours.Two hours playing the happy bride, letting Daaynal touch her and comfort her.Letting him believe she was overwhelmed by the occasion when she was drowning in her own guilt.
And Raaevik...
She'd seen his jaw go tight, and that was supposed to mean something?One flicker of reaction while she spent two hours letting another man touch her?
She lowered her hands and looked at her reflection in the darkness of the window.
So that was that, then.Message received, loud and clear.
