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“You have me, my love.” Grieve took my hand. “I will translate for you when it is needed, and work with you when we are alone to help you master the language.”
Strict leaned back. “This will be a learning experience for all of us. Meanwhile, I can instruct you in the laws of the land—take notes in your own language so you don’t forget. You will be administering justice, Your Highness. You must know what boundaries are set and, if you so choose, change them.”
I jerked my head up. “Change them? You mean if I don’t like something, I can change it? Without questioning?”
He cocked his head to one side, smiling faintly. “If your changes are too disparate, the Greater Unseelie Court may call you to question, but for minor things? Yes.”
And so we got to work—me with a notebook, Strict teaching me the legal system of the Court of Snow and Ice. I immediately understood that it was darker than Lainule’s court. There was a greater leeway on suspect behavior, and harsher punishments for those things proscribed. The sorting out would take months, but as we progressed, I began to see that I was going to be Queen over a feral and wild populace.>As I struggled to shake myself awake, he pulled me into his arms. “You’re all right.” He let me lean back against the headboard but pressed my hands to his lips, and I realized how frightened he’d been.
I blinked. “What time is it?”
“Morning, my love.” He shrugged. “Tonight is your coronation. But for all intents and purposes, you are the Queen of Winter now. You’ve created your heartstone and the guardians accepted their posts.” He paused, then leaned down. “May I kiss you, Cicely?”
“Why do you ask?” I murmured softly, wondering at the look on his face.
He smiled softly. “You are the Queen. You will choose your consort. It’s only proper for me to ask.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I draped my arms around his neck and pulled him against me. “You are the only man I’d choose for my Consort. Grieve, when will you understand how much I love you?” I kissed him once, twice, then spread my legs. I was still naked under the covers.
“I want to—oh, how I want to, but I can’t.” He kissed me again, then pushed himself back away from me. “I cannot touch you again until after you’ve taken the throne.” He groaned as I let out a sigh. “Don’t make this harder than it already is, woman.”
I giggled and ran my hand over his crotch. “Oh, it’s hard, all right.”
“Pity, woman. Pity!” His expression melted my desire to torment him, and I pulled my hand away.
“When I have that crown on my head, I expect you to fuck me so hard, so long that I can’t even remember my name.” Wrapping my arms around my knees, I yawned. “I can’t believe I’m still tired.”
“You should be exhausted. The creation of the heartstone, it’s a harsh process and you’ll feel odd for a while.” He glanced at the clock. “Lannan wanted to see you last night. Lainule sent word that you won’t be available to anyone until after the coronation. He was not amused.” Grieve didn’t look very happy either.
I grumbled. “Lannan…what the hell does he want? Don’t answer that. It’s bound to be bad news, no matter what. So, since I’m Barrow-bound until coronation, and sex is a banned activity, what should I do?”
At that, Grieve laughed. “Get up and get dressed. Your advisor, Strict, is waiting for you. It’s time for a conference. I shall be sitting in, as King-Elect.”
Oh great. Homework already?
“Is there a chance for me to see Rhiannon? I want to make sure…” I wanted to make sure she was okay, that they hadn’t been telling me just what I wanted to hear.
“I think I can make that happen.” He kissed me again, this time on the forehead. “You get dressed and I’ll go talk to Lainule.” As he headed toward the door, my gaze was fastened on his butt. He was wearing tight jeans, dark black, and a pale silver long-sleeved satin shirt. He’d switched his style, I realized. Instead of summer colors, he was now wearing darker ones—the shades of winter.
As Grieve closed the door behind him, I slipped out from beneath the covers and padded over to the long mirror. As I stared at my reflection, searching for any sign of where the heartstone had been extracted, I noticed that my skin had paled even further…and…what? I leaned closer.
What the fuck? My eyes, which had been a warm emerald, were now icy blue. The look was striking against my stark black hair and pale skin. I was still me, but a heightened me.
The door opened and Druise entered. She smiled at me shyly and dropped into a deep curtsey. “Your Highness, may I help you dress? The Lady Lainule has asked that you come down to breakfast directly, so there’s no time for a bath. I’ll make sure to prepare one for after your meetings.” Her voice shook.
I winked at her. “Of course.”
She crossed to the wardrobe and opened it, pulling out a long black skirt embroidered with sparkling stars, and a silver corset. “Will this be acceptable?”
Nodding, I turned to her. “Are you nervous, Druise?”
Blushing, she ducked her head. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
Her cheeks grew even redder. “You…you’re…the heartstone. Everyone knows you and your cousin have passed through the journey to create your heartstones. You are about to take the throne. Then…you really will be the Queens and everything will change. And I will be…” She paused, pressing her lips together.
“You’ll be the Queen’s personal maid. And this will impact your family and you in ways that you’ve never expected?”
