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It would hurt so much more to accept than to refuse. It would hurt more to be king than to watch Teryn make all the impossible decisions from now on. It would hurt more to start a marriage based on deception than simply loving Mareleau from afar.
It was that pain, that aching punishment that drove him to finally say, “I accept.”
6
Teryn felt every muscle in his body uncoil. He hadn’t realized how badly he hadn’t wanted his father’s throne until he felt the responsibility slip from his hands. His lungs felt stronger. His heart lighter.
As he assessed his brother, he knew why. Larylis now bore all that Teryn had shrugged off. Guilt sank Teryn’s gut. He knew his brother didn’t want it. Knew Larylis held much of the same anguish over their father’s death. Perhaps it was cruel of Teryn to do what he’d done—to give him a crown he didn’t want—but it was the only way he could think to fix the mess they found themselves in. This way, Larylis could marry the woman he loved. And Teryn...
He shuddered at the void that stood in the space his father’s crown once filled. Without the mantle he’d been raised to bear…who was he?
The itch returned. He fluttered his fingers and shifted his stance just to feel his body move. He faced Verdian. “We’ve made our choices, Your Majesty. What’s yours?”
“Choice,” Verdian said with a scoff. “You’ve hardly given much thought to your so-calledchoice. How will your brother keep his rule strong?”
He felt Mareleau’s eyes burning into him, a silent plea for him to answer well. She’d gone silent since Teryn’s announcement, as if she feared any word from her would shatter what Teryn was attempting to fix.
Teryn glanced at Larylis. He stood as still as a statue, jaw set. His eyes were unfocused as if he were only half there.
Turning his gaze back to the king, he said, “Larylis’ rule will be strong, for he will have all our support. Selay’s. Khero’s. We’re already in the process of forging a peace pact between our three kingdoms. Let us write these new terms into it. If you’re determined that Selay and Menah will merge as one kingdom upon your death, then we’ll write it into the pact. That way anyone who defies Mareleau or Larylis will draw the wrath of all three kingdoms. As for other allies, I’m sure even the Kingdom of Tomas will support him, thanks to Prince Lexington. I too will support Larylis as my king with all my heart, and…” He swallowed hard as he glanced at his mother. “He’ll have Dowager Queen Bethaeny’s support as well.”
She paled, stunned silent. Then color pinked her cheeks. “You reckless, insensitive boy,” she said, voice trembling with restraint. “You ask too much of me. Too much of my heart.”
A lump rose in Teryn’s throat as he watched her turn on her heel and flee the study. He wanted to run after her, to explain, to apologize, but he needed to see this through.
He returned his attention to Verdian and continued. “King Larylis will be crowned on the fifth of July. If you would like your daughter to be made queen the same day, I suggest you accept these new terms.”
Queen Helena brightened at that. Gone was her previous disdain as she smiled up at Verdian. “The fifth! That’s only a few days from now. Our Mareleau could be queen so soon.”
Verdian ignored his wife and huffed a laugh, his eyes still trained on Teryn. “Is that when you were supposed to be crowned? You’re cutting it a little close to still be here.”
He was right, but he’d had his reasons. “I didn’t want to return home until I was assured of Princess Aveline’s safety.”
With a grumble, Verdian returned to the other side of his desk and sank into his chair. “And what shall we do with Princess Aveline?”
Teryn bit the inside of his cheek before answering. “I will marry her, pending her acceptance. The marriage alliance will be just as we’d planned before. Only a change of groom will be required. But I implore you, do not speak of this to her until I have spoken to her first.” His heart ached to recall her anger at him when they’d met in the hall. He couldn’t bear it if she learned of yet another development made without her prior knowledge.
Verdian rubbed his brow, sending his powdered wig slightly askew. Teryn held his breath as he awaited the king’s answer. Finally, he spoke, his voice brimming with grudging resignation. “Very well. But I have conditions.”
Mareleau stepped forward and took one of the chairs on the opposite side of his desk. She perched at the edge of her seat, fingers clawing into the armrests. “What might they be?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Verdian spoke only to Teryn. “Following Mareleau’s coronation, my daughter will leave for Ridine Castle. She will travel with Lord Ulrich. He’s already planning to lead the rest of King Dimetreus’ new staff and council to Ridine anyway.”
Mareleau lifted her hands from the armrests to anxiously weave her fingers through a lock of her silver-blonde hair. “Why would I go to Ridine?”
Verdian met his daughter’s eyes. “I want someone there who can get close to Aveline. Someone she will feel comfortable enough to confide in. I’d previously had it in mind that Larylis would stay at Ridine during their period of courtship and act as a spy.”
Teryn took a step forward. “Then I will take Larylis’ place.”
“No,” Verdian said, his lips lifting into a smug grin. “You must stay with your brother. Now that you’ve decided to turn over your crown to someone who is wholly unprepared, you’ll need to guide him.”
“But I’m pregnant,” Mareleau said, lifting her chin. “I can't travel.”
Helena stood by her daughter and rested a hand on her shoulder. “She’s right. She’s in no condition to travel all the way to Ridine. It’s bad enough that she’ll have to journey to Dermaine Palace.”
“Have some sense, Helena,” Verdian barked. “She isn’t far along. Besides, no one knows she’s with child yet. She’ll need to keep up the ruse that she conceived on her wedding night. Until it is proper for her to announce her condition, she will act as normal.”
Mareleau rose from her chair. “That’s unfair.”
