Thalen swallowed hard.
“What would the king and queen have thought if I spoke that truth in the court?”
“I didn’t know. I swear it.” He clenched his fingers into a fist. “You didn’t tell the king and queen…Why didn’t you?”
Saying it then would have only made me look desperate, proof that I was guilty of Thalen’s accusation.
“To spare you.” I lied. “You’re lucky Lioran didn’t either. Do you think I’m so foolish I can’t make choices for myself?”
“No. You are capable and resilient.” His breath was hot on my cheek. “I fell for you, deeply from the minute we sat under the stars together. I hadn’t planned it. I wanted the political strength our marriage provided, but I didn’t expect to fall in love with you.” His voice softened.
He couldn’t have—he barely knew me.
My chest tightened under the weight of the corset.
“I have been sitting in agony since I heard the news that you were his. Knowing what you had done with him.”
“How would you know anything? You weren’t there and yet you accuse me of something, you don’t even know to be true…in front of the king and queen.” I slid my quaking hands behind my back.
“I know you let him have you.” His hand trailed down my arm, the heat of his body lingered on mine with his touch. “The way you’re looking at me right now. I know it is true.” He spoke with such certainty. “You were supposed to be mine. That moment was supposed to be for me…and you just gave it to him.” His nostrils flared.
“I am not yours,” I snapped. “You know nothing.”
“You’re mistaken. I know way more than you think. Maybe even more than you know yourself.” He hovered over me. Waiting. Watching. Wondering when I would crack. “The consequences of your actions have already…manifested.”
I stepped back.
He glanced me over. “I’ve come to give you the future he can’t.”
“Why would you want a future with me at all?” My breathing quickened.
“Despite what you’ve done with him, I want you still.” Pain flickered in his eyes. “I can keep you safe as my wife—the mother of mychildren.”
Water pooled in my eyes, but I blinked it away.
“I love him, Thalen.” I spoke the truth in a way he couldn’t protest. Thalen was too boastful to accept that I love someone he loathed.
“You will learn to love your husband, Aelira.”
I would never get over my heart being shattered.
Thalen slid his arm around my waist as I stumbled,catching me. My trembling body was pressed against his—my eyes locked onto his, searching for the truth.
Fyn cleared his throat in the distance, but Thalen didn’t release me, nor did I fight it.
“We will get married. Just as we planned. Together we can build a beautiful life—one you’ve always dreamed of.”
Thalen released me from his hold, but his hand lingered on mine, before he disappeared beyond the stone walls.
“Tell me you’re not even thinking about it.” Cora stepped beside me, but I couldn’t look at her. They may have heard every word we spoke. “You can’t be seriously considering his offer.”
“Really Aelira?” Fyn shook his head at me before he walked off.
I slid my hands over my hips. My stomach tossed as I considered Thalen’s words. “Lioran is already done with me.”
“None of us have seen him,” Cora said.
I swallowed hard, wanting to believe there was a reason, but I couldn’t. “I’m going back to our chambers to lie down.”
