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“He says sentiment begins to change, to be swayed in her favor. It appears she is not alone in wanting to explore peace despite the king’s intent in sending the Oryan.”

Hating how I feel when Erik talks of the queen, I concentrate on his hands as they move from my breasts downward, reaching behind me, cupping my buttocks and pulling me closer.

I never knew until this moment I wanted a man to grab me there.

“That is good,” I manage. “You will need more than just the Highlanders’ support, aye?”

He called me beautiful, but I would say the same of Erik’s smile.

“Aye. Cettina will be pleased to hear it.”

His smile falters.

“Reyne . . .” His hands freeze. “Your demeanor changes every time I say her name.”

“Does it? I’d not noticed.”

Liar.

“You are my wife.”

“Because my father willed it,” I cannot help but say. The thought has not been far from my mind this whole day.

“And because I willed it too. I’d not have agreed to his terms had the idea not appealed to me.”

He’s said as much, and yet still I wonder. “Nay? Not even for his support with the Highland Council?”

Would you not do anything for the queen?

I already know the answer, but I keep the question to myself, not wanting to ruin our wedding night.

“I’d not have agreed to his terms had I not wished to marry you, Reyne,” he repeats. “And that was before we became reacquainted. I am happy to be married to you. Do you not sense that?”

I do, but . . .

“Cettina,” he concludes.

I’ve not met her, but that does not prevent me from imagining the queen, whom he and others have described as a rare beauty, kissing my now husband. He does not love her in that way, I remind myself.

But neither does he love you.

Erik drops his hands, sighing.

“You do not believe me,” he says more than asks. “You think me madly in love with Queen Cettina, and what? That we will engage in a salacious affair the moment we return to court?”

Precisely.

“Nay, but so many believe that.”

“And so many are wrong. They know not the intricacies of our relationship. There will always be gossip at court, Reyne. I should have better prepared you for that. Many have little to do with their time other than speculate on others’ lives. It makes them feel as if they’ve a measure of control. You’d do well to ignore it.”

“I will try,” I vow.

He is still studying me, but his look has changed from desire to concern. I hate that it’s so, but I cannot change my thoughts.

Or can I?

Lady Arabelle pops into my mind then. She is right, I am his wife, not Queen Cettina. And Erik is worth fighting for.