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“Why not? Riona, do you evenrealize—” Auberon stopped and changed tactics before his traitorous heart could betray him yet again. “Last night was a mistake. I should never have said what I did. Done what I did. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. Do you think I don’t feel the same way about you, Auberon? You’re not the Crown Prince, but you’re a son of the Erdurian Emperor. With our betrothal, we can have peace between our countries. We can end the war. Drystan will understand.”
The matter-of-fact way she said it sent a spear through his chest. He released her hand. “It’s impossible. If you marry an Erdurian, it will be Drystan.”
“Why?” Riona demanded, anger flaring. “You expect me to marry your brother—toproduce heirswith him—while I love you?”
Auberon stood sharply. He wanted to tell her the whole truth, to make her understand why they could never be married, but he couldn’t risk it yet. “Forget what happened between us last night. I was a fool for inviting you to the theater.”
Riona pushed herself upright, her face twisting in pain. “How can you ask that of me? I have risked my life time and time again for this kingdom. I played the puppet in Beltharos and faced execution. I ventured into the Howling Mountains to find proof of what my uncle had done. I nearlydiedtonight. Have I not earned the right to marry the man I choose?”
“The choice is not up to you!” Auberon shouted, the reins on his temper slipping. Hehadto make her understand. “I was sent here with two orders: to secure eudorite ore for Erduria, and to ensure that you were betrothed to Drystan. I cannot andwill notmarry you.”
Riona shrank back, startled by his anger.
Guilt and regret immediately filled him. He pulled on the ruined overcoat, covering most of his wounds, and sat. “Lord Farquar ordered the attack last night. I have written proof and a witness who will stand before the court and testify against him. All we have to decide is whether we will confront the king before the nobles, or in private.”
Riona stilled. “Lord Farquar… Are you sure?”
He pulled the contract from his pocket and handed it to her. She read the contents, then read them a second time over, her fingers tightening on the parchment. When she finished, she folded it and gave it back to him.
“Don’t worry about it now,” Auberon said as he rose and set the emerald dagger on the bedside table. “Try to rest and regain your strength. Duke Valerian and I will ensure that you’re safe until we figure out how we want to move forward.”
She nodded, and he left. When he emerged from the bedroom, he found Valerian standing at the far end of the hall, leaning against the archway to the sitting room. His expression made it clear that he had heard everything. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I heard shouting, and I wanted to make sure you were both alright.”
Auberon let out a soft, bitter laugh.Alright?How could theypossiblybe alright? “We’re alive, which is all that matters.”
Just as he was about to pass Valerian, the duke reached out and caught his arm. “Whatever is between you is none of my business, but you should know that when she regained consciousness, the first thing she did was ask for you.”
Auberon stiffened, willing a cool mask to slip over his features. “There is nothing between us.”
The duke opened his mouth, closed it, then finally said, “If this is about your position, being the second son… I don’t presume to know Prince Drystan or Erduria better than you, but I’m sure that if you spoke to your brother and explained how you felt, he would understand. You could be with her.”
“If only it were that simple.” He started to move past Valerian, then paused. “You still don’t remember the last time we met, do you?”
Valerian studied him for several long moments. “Should I? How long has it been?”
“No, I suppose not. It’s been a long time since I was last in Kenter.” He walked into the sitting room and gestured for Vick to follow him, the duke on his heels. “We’ll go speak with Drystan. Thank you for helping her. Make sure your guards watch over the house at all times, and do not let any guests see her. Not even her family. If her condition changes, please let me know.”
“Of course. Can I expect an explanation anytime soon?”
Auberon smiled, knowing that even if he refused, Valerian would still protect Riona. Despite his concerns about the duke’s use of blood magic, Valerian was a good, honorable man. He was a better man than Auberon. So all he said was, “Perhaps.”
Valerian frowned, but didn’t object as he led them to the front door and held it open. There was no mistaking the sympathy in his voice as he murmured, “For your sake, Auberon, I hope your brother doesn’t win her hand in marriage.”
ChapterSixty-Three
The Lady
Riona stared at the door through which Auberon had left, her hands in tight fists around her blanket. Then she took a sharp breath, and something within her cracked. A ragged sob escaped her as she buried her face in her hands. It was all too much. The suitors, Cathal’s murder, her uncle, the mines, the attack, Auberon…
Auberon.
His confession from the night before came surging back, bringing with it a fresh wave of tears. She felt broken and pathetic and pitiful, sitting there crying, but she couldn’t stop it.
Despite my best efforts, I have fallen in love with you, aramati—wholly and eternally.
What you don’t know is that I have begged the Creator every day to stop me feeling this way about you. You don’t know how desperately I want you to walk out that door and never speak to me again. I never planned for this to happen. This isn’t how it was supposed to end.
