Page 142 of Tale of the Heart Queen

Whatever her faults, she was also a victim of Atlas’s betrayal.

Of course, she could have been a little more gracious about everything from the beginning, and nothing Atlas did excuses how she treated anyone. Including Lor. Maybe especially Lor.

“I understand that,” Cornelius says, his voice low and soothing. “But the situation has changed, and His Majesty has shared his wishes.”

“But why not me?” she asks. “Is he planning to find someone else?”

He shakes his head. “I do not know the king’s mind. But he is our king, and we must honor this request.”

Apricia clutches the box tighter, and then she truly breaks down, sobbing so hard she can barely catch her breath. Fat tears roll down her cheeks as she hiccups over her loss. Cornelius approaches her and wraps his arms around her.

She folds into him, sobbing into his shoulder as he runs a hand down the back of her head. He lets her cry for a moment, then directs her towards where I stand. Apricia continues to sob, still holding the jewelry box. While he might have difficulty with her, it’s clear that Cornelius Heulfryn loves his daughter.

A pungent bitterness coats my tongue at that realization.

My own father was a mean drunk who killed the only family I had. While I’m certainly far from perfect, I didn’t deserve that. No one does. I hope Apricia uses this moment to take a hard look at herself and the person she wants to be.

As they pass me, Cornelius stops and nods.

“I apologize for this. Please send the bill for repairs to me. I’ll take care of it.”

I tip my chin. That’s probably not necessary, but again, this isn’t my call. I’m just glad she’s getting out of here.

Apricia looks at me with bloodshot eyes. For once, there’s no anger or calculation in her gaze. It’s just flat and emotionless. I try to feel something other than relief. Maybe she’ll find someone that can handle her and make her happy. Or maybe she’ll live out her days as a miserable shrew. I don’t really care either way if I’m honest.

Then Cornelius shuffles Apricia out, and I hear him say softly, “Come, my girl. Your time is done here. Let’s go home.”

CHAPTER 50

LOR

QUEENDOM OF HEART

The next morning, someone knocks on our door, and I slide out of bed to find Tristan on the other side, his hand running across the back of his neck. He’s wearing a dark green tunic and black leggings with knee-high suede boots. His midnight hair has grown longer over the last months, curling in waves around his pointed ears and the base of his neck.

“Tris, what’s wrong?”

“Cedar asked to speak with me.”

“Oh,” I say, immediately understanding why my brother is nervous. “Does he—?”

“I don’t know,” he says, cutting me off. “I don’t know.”

“Tris, it will be okay. It’s not like this is a bad thing.”

“Isn’t it? What if he thinks it’s a terrible thing? You saw how much Linden hates us.”

He paces back and forth, and I’ve rarely seen my brother this nervous or unsure of himself.

“What’s worrying you, specifically?” I ask.

He sighs and plants his hands on his hips, dropping his head.

“When you told me about it, I kind of just pushed it away. I didn’t want to think about or deal with it. I was never prepared for this. I feel . . . overwhelmed, Lor.”

By now, Nadir has appeared at the door, half-dressed and mussed from sleep.

“Everything okay?” he asks.