She remembered how he’d walked into his father’s office with unshakable confidence, commanding the room effortlessly. Light fromthe arched windows had caught in his golden hair, while his tailored coat and sharp jawline spoke of power and grace. He was everything she had dreamed of in a mate.
He hadn’t looked her way, then, his focus on Lord Baelin, but the pull she felt had left her breathless. He must have felt it, too.
“Yes, but what exactly happened to make you think it, other than seeing a pretty Lordling up close for the first time?” Cassidy asked, clearing her plate with a swipe of bread through the last smear of jam.
“What do you mean, what happened?” Emmaline’s smile vanished as she withdrew her hand from Margo’s, folding it into her lap. “When you know, you know. As it’s written—I am his, and he is mine. It just…” She hesitated, searching for the words. “It just is.”
Ursula let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Ems…”
“Look!” Emmaline’s voice rose as she crossed her arms defensively. “If you all had felt what I felt, you’d know too!” Her friends didn’t understand. They thought her some silly, love-struck girl. But she wasn’t that. She was someone who had survived a war, clawed her way back from ruin, and built a life—however modest—through sheer grit. She wasn’t some naïve fool. She was a graduate of the School of Light, for Lyra’s sake. A nobody who had become someone.
Her chin lifted, her voice steadying. “What happened last night was unfortunate.”
“A woman lost her life,” Cassidy interrupted.
“And it was unfortunate and unintended.” Emmaline’s tone cooled. If her friends couldn’t support her… “But the Law is clear regarding protecting one’s mate. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“The Law only protects you if you are indeed mates, Emmaline,”Margo said.
“I am his mate.” She glared across the table. “The Law will protect me because it has to.”
But even as she said it, a chill crept up her spine. The Law might be clear, but Lady Isolde’s influence was stronger. If Caelith’s mother decided to challenge the bond, or worse, force him to reject it... The Vale might respect the Law, but it also respected power, and Lady Isolde had plenty.
Emmaline felt their gazes on her, their surprise almost tangible. They weren’t used to this—seeing her stand her ground.
Ursula broke the silence first, a chuckle rumbling low in her chest. “She’s not wrong.”
“You helped her clean the scene. I’m not surprised you’d have no issues with murder,” Cassidy said, rolling her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t get stuck. Then, quieter, she muttered, “I swear, I’m going to lose my job one day just being associated with you, Urs.”
Ursula settled deeper into her chair, her hand tapping lightly against the table in an almost lazy rhythm. “Then you can come work for me.”
Cassidy gave an incredulous laugh, the sound more like a bark.
“I’ll keep you and your Corgi well-fed and rested for the rest of your days,” Ursula added, the glint in her eye daring Cassidy to take the bait.
Cassidy opened her mouth, undoubtedly ready to fire back, but Margo raised a hand. “Enough of that old argument.” She cut them off, turning to Emmaline, who was sitting stiffly, arms wrapped tightly around herself. “You’re sure he’s your mate?”
Emmaline threw up her hands. “You’ll just have to take my word for it. Unless, of course, one of you suddenly discovered a talent for divination?” She glanced pointedly at Ursula.
“Not my department,” Ursula replied smoothly, lifting her drink with a lazy shrug. “Though I could curse him for you. Maybe give him a rash that spells out your name.”
Cassidy snorted. “That’s one way to claim him.” She paused, her brow furrowing in exaggerated thought. “Though it might send the wrong message.”
Margo pressed her fingers to her temples. “Can we please focus?”
A heavy silence settled over the table, broken only by the distant hum of the marketplace beyond. Emmaline felt the weight of their eyes on her, the tension coiling tighter with each passing second.
Finally, Margo sighed, her shoulders easing as she reached for her drink. “Very well.” She took a measured sip, then placed the glass back on the table with care. “We’ll consider the subject closed for now.”
The others nodded one by one—Ursula first, with a solemn dip of her head, then Cassidy, her lips pressing into a begrudging line.
“Thank you,” Emmaline said quietly, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her sleeve as she glanced around the table. “You really are the best friends ever.”
“Always and forever,” Margo said, lifting her glass with a small smile.
“Always and forever,” the others echoed, their voices overlapping as they raised their glasses.
Chapter four
