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“I’m here to wish you congratulations,” she announced, standing before him.
“Thank you.” But that wasn’t all, and he could tell she was trying to sort through her words. The carefulness of it piqued his curiosity. “Is that it?”
“No,” she said, then paused again. Her expression firmed. “I’m also here to tell you that Sapphire is a good person and you shouldn’t think otherwise.”
“I never said she was a bad person.”
“So, don’t hurt her.”
“I won’t.”
“Because if you do, I might hunt you down and you might scream in pain.”
His lips quirked as he studied her back, seeing her in a new light. “I’ve never seen this side of you before.”
“That’s because I didn’t want you to,” she said. “You were only supposed to see the perfect, unproblematic bride.”
“Right. The one with no ex-lover issues and a petty thirst for vengeance.”
“Ex-fiancé,” she corrected. “And yes. That one.”
“Hmm.”
She hesitated, then, “Logic always dictated things for me. Even my decision to marry you to spite the warlock was my version of a logical move. But Sapphire…emotions dictate her actions—or rather, her love for us, especially for Silver. She isn’t as coldblooded as I am, no matter how much she looks like she is.”
“And what are you trying to warn me about?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “I’m just telling you. Also, goodbye.”
“Goodbye?”
“I’m leaving after the union. Not right away, but soon. I just need to make sure you don’t strangle each other and burn Oslo down.”
Her jest had him raising a brow, but he understood that underneath all of it came the most important point: that Emerald loved Sapphire as much as Sapphire loved her and would rain the same vengeance on him if he took the wrong step. He watched her leave, her energy staying in the room as another form of warning. He walked with it to the venue of the final ritual, pausing at the closed door where Bernard was waiting.
“Ready?”
Was he?
He nodded, then stepped in when the door was opened. The hall was the biggest yet, reserved just for this occasion and decorated with flowers plucked from the garden, brilliant golden lights, and every expensive piece of furniture in his castle. There was already an array of guests gathered at arranged tables, decked in attire fit for royalty and eyeing him with expectant expressions. But his eyes weren’t on them. He was searching for only one person, who was already present and sitting on the elevated platform.
The pull that was lacking earlier came now, hard and intense until it felt like his stomach was being wrung in a storm. He sucked in a breath, then let it out as he took her in. Sapphire was…a visual feast, her long white dress hugging her form and the scatter of light blue crystals making the color of her eyes radiate. As if on cue, they flew toward him, locking in and trapped in the same blinding entrancement that he was in. Then she looked away, allowing him to break from his stupor and march to the platform, where he sat beside her.
Greetings rose in murmurs, some more enthusiastic than others. He swept through the crowd, noting his men in disguise blending in with the guests and assured that any inkling of trouble would be alerted. He relaxed. When he lifted his glass, the greetings and sounds died.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice and witnessing my venture into a new stage. This marks the day that my lineage will be continued with my bride, Sapphire Sutton. This also marks the day that her family will reap the benefits of an alliance and vice versa, which also erases her from any enemy list you might have.”
Glasses clinked in toast and agreement. Beside him, Sapphire stirred, her arm brushing his. He closed his eyes and drank his wine, ignoring the heated sensation that sizzled in his body. When he felt her gaze on him, he opened his eyes and looked at her, only to find that she had already turned away.
It happened multiple times, with him never catching her gaze. He was patient about it, letting her deal with her obvious conflict until she finally gave up. He relaxed again when she began to eat, small bites at first before she scarfed her plate down. Then she reached over for a tray of food that was closer to him, giving him a direct view of bare shoulders that made his mouth water. Her braid was neat, defining the grace of her neck. Her face was close, reminding him of the way she tasted on his lips.
Klaus nudged the tray toward her, taking the temptation away and reminding himself they were in a public setting. It didn’t ease the pulse of desire inside him. “Hungry?”
She shook her head out of stubbornness, then stabbed a potato. Observant blue eyes strayed to a guest on their left.
“You can ask questions, you know. They can’t hear you.”
Silence. But it didn’t last long and he savored the triumph when she finally gave in.
