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“Oh, he’s perfectly aware of how he feels. That’s probably what has him so tied in knots.” Tamar patted Razan’s arm. “He’ll come around. Just keep trying.”
Razan blew out a slow breath. “It’s hard to face his continual derision and dismissals.”
“Love can overcome any obstacle, and it is worth any headache or heartache.” Tamar’s soft words rang with sincerity and experience. The woman had lost a husband, but she had still opened her heart to Dirk—only to lose him, too. The fact that she could say those words—feel them so deeply—was a testament to her strength.
One of Desfan’s sailors called out for Razan to join them in singing, and the young woman moved to do so.
Behind Serene, the air stirred, then Cardon’s voice was at her ear. “I was just told the physician is on his way to see Imara, if you’d like to be present for his visit.”
His soft breath warmed her skin, and the memory of his mouth on hers made her fight a shiver.
If only lovecouldovercome any obstacle.
She said her goodbyes to Tamar, then turned to see Cardon hadn’t moved back. The long scar on his cheek jumped as his jaw clenched.
She realized belatedly that he must have heard every word of their conversation, and it was beyond obvious that his thoughts had wandered to their stolen kiss on the beach as well. She’d run from the ball that night, and Cardon had chased her—then he’d kissed her senseless. They hadn’t spoken of it since that night.
Thankfully, they couldn’t discuss it now, because Wilf stood only slightly behind Cardon.
As they walked to Imara’s room, Serene asked Wilf about Clare. Her friend had lost so much since becoming her decoy; it was heartbreaking to see her lose her little brothers as well. There was love between Clare, Thomas, and Mark—unlike Serene’s relationship with her own brother. Grandeur was threatened by her, and probably wanted her dead. There were times she missed the boy she’d grown up with. The little brother who had followed her around the garden, or begged to play with her in the nursery. But after everything that had happened—everything he’d done andnotdone—she didn’t know if she would truly mourn his death. Certainly not like Clare mourned her brothers.
Something about that broke her heart.
They reached Imara’s suite, and the Zennorian princess’s guards allowed them in. Serene proceeded into her cousin’s bedroom, leaving Cardon and Wilf in the sitting room.
The physician was talking to Imara in low tones when Serene entered the room. Imara looked far too tired, and the physician appeared concerned.
They both looked up as Serene stepped toward them. “What’s wrong?” she demanded.
“Nothing,” Imara said at once. “He’s only telling me whatmightbe wrong, but nothing is actually, currently, wrong.”
“You were stabbed,” Serene said, folding her arms as she reached the side of the bed. “That was decidedly wrong.”
“Princess Imara is correct,” the royal physician said, a bit gently. “I was merely preparing her for some of what she might face during her recovery.” He turned back to Imara. “The important thing is to not overdo anything, especially at this stage. You must follow my advice and give your body time to heal.”
“Thank you,” Imara said with a smile. “I’ll heed your advice.”
The physician smiled in return. Fates, no one could withstand Imara’s sweetness—and the Zennorian princess knew it. Sometimes, she used it as a fates-blasted weapon.
When the physician excused himself, Serene settled into the chair beside Imara’s bed. “What exactly did he say?” she asked, crossing one knee over the other as she leaned back.
Imara lifted an eyebrow. “You’re doing yourimperious Sereneagain.”
“Imara.”
Her cousin sighed and glanced toward the ceiling. “Fine. He said I may struggle to walk for the rest of my life—or not walk again at all.”
Serene’s lungs stopped working.
Imara’s chin dropped, and she picked at a loose thread on her quilt. “He also said I could be fine, with barely a limp. We won’t know until we know, so there’s no point worrying about it.”
Serene reached out and took her cousin’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
Imara shrugged, not looking at her. Then she tightened her hold on Serene’s long fingers. “So,” she said, her tone a little brighter. “How was the coronation?”
“It was very nice, actually.”
“No one died, then?”
