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18
Aphrodite
My lips still tingled. It had been a while now since we had kissed at the church, and yet the feeling of his lips on mine was all I could concentrate on. After the wedding, we could not speak to each other, at least not freely, as we were expected to tend to the guests who had come to see with their own two eyes that we were, in fact, husband and wife.
Husband and wife.
I glanced up at him as he stood by my side, my thumb playing with the gold band on my finger. He was my husband now. I could stand by him publicly, we could hold hands and talk and laugh with no one judging us to see how close or far apart we were.
I must have stared at him for too long because he glanced down at me, his eyebrow raised. But before he could say anything, I looked back out into the crowd of people who were now in my home—my parents’ home—to celebrate us. Except for Datura, Evander’s stepmother. When she approached, Evander stiffened beside me, and his fist began to clench, so I did what was now allowed. I placed my hand on him, and when he felt it, he released his fist and took my hand.
“Welcome into the family, my dear,” Datura said with a kind smile. “Much overdue, but all things happen for a reason.”
“Yes, and be very sure I will never forget the reason,” Evander whispered down to her.
Datura ignored him. “My dear girl, should you have any questions about Everely, I am here to help in any way I can.”
“Thank you,” I said. When I noticed Evander about to speak once more, I added, “However, I do not doubt that by the time I would have sent word, any issues would be resolved.”
“Oh dear, you do not possibly believe that I will be remaining in London, do you?” she asked.
“Where else would you be if not in London, Datura?” Evander asked.
“Home, of course,” she stated, and the level of sweetness she applied to her words made me feel wary. “Everely is my home.”
“I made it clear—”
“Yes, yes, I know. You shall not have me at the estate. No matter, I have managed to secure my own property not far away. I was born in Everely, so I shall remain there till I die. Besides, I would like to see your brother Gabrien often, and he does not prefer London.”
Evander’s nose flared. I hoped the conversation looked cordial, with her smiles and his efforts to remain calm. But being beside them both, I could feel…their hate.
“I wish to bid congratulations to Lady Everely, but it seems my presence is not noticed.”
I noticed then the queen, yes, the queen, approaching, dressed in her favorite red, now before us, holding her sleek gold cane. Immediately, I curtsied low. Immediately Datura vanished from before us.
“Your Majesty,” I said, as did Evander beside me, before slowly rising to look at her.
She tilted her head to the side, and I remained calm, not speaking another word until she addressed me. However, she shifted her eyes to Evander.
“Your mother was not a crier,” she said suddenly, and the words made me anxious for him. “No matter whom or what she faced, not a single tear would slip from her pretty eyes. I believe today, though, she would be weeping with joy to see how fortunate you are, Duke.”
“Yes, I believe so, too, Your Majesty.”
“I trust you will be wiser than the former duke and keep the rabble-rousers out,” she muttered before she addressed me. “Congratulations, Lady Everely, though I worry your real work is only just beginning, for the previous holders of this great title left much to be desired. Do remind them all of our difference.”
I curtsied to her once more. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
She turned around, with a small personal sphere of ladies in waiting accompanying her. Only when I heard her cane on the ground, clicking as she moved away, did I rise, though a bit confused. Remind them all of what exactly? I had said yes because what could I say to the queen but thank you and yes.
“I do wonder if this was the best time for such advice,” Evander whispered. He smiled as he looked at me. “I wish for Everely to be your refuge, to do whatever it is you please without worry.”
There it was again, that rush, that feeling down my throat, spreading throughout my body, making a mess of all my thoughts and emotions. I wished to smile to the end of time for how happy I was, then laugh and dance. I wished to sing and then also desired time to freeze so I might remain only in this moment. When he reached up and brushed a curl away from my face, I wished to kiss his hand or, better yet, have him kiss me again as he had in the church.
It was all so very splendid.
“May I steal my daughter one last time from you?”
I turned to see my mama smiling at us, though her brown eyes shined with…tears. My mama never showed tears.
