AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I have.”
“You’re bonded. That’s what I dreamed of, but I didn’t dare believe it. What followed … what I saw …”
My head shook. “What is it?”
“Nothing. You’re bonded. But.” Her lips pressed together. “Marko is … something is different. I can feel it, but I can’t see it. Marko and Tessa love each other. Their love is like nothing else. I don’t know what it means for me to see you with Tessa. Maybe the three of you are meant to be together, I just don’t know yet. The darkness. It all blurs, and I’m not breathing well.”
I frowned, turning as Tessa rolled back to where I was. “Go back to Marko. What do you mean he’s different? Is it a bad different, or is it good? Will he accept me and Tessa?”
Marie went to open her mouth when the door opened. Marko came to an abrupt stop at seeing us.
“Marie, what brings you here?”
She shifted uncomfortably, glancing over at me before addressing him.
“I came to check on the queen. She’s distressed. It woke me from a deep sleep.”
“Ah.” He walked forward, removing his suit’s jacket to place on the back of a red velvet chair. “No worries. I’m back now. I’ll calm her. Go back to your room and get some rest. I’m holding a meeting at sunset tomorrow. Aetas has passed, I’m sure you’ve heard. Tessa, Hunter, and I will be going to the ceremony in a few days so I want to make plans for the city to be on guard in case anything happens while we’re away.”
Marie’s mouth opened, only to close. “No. That can’t be right.” Her head snapped to me. “Why did you not tell me?”
“About Aetas? I thought you knew.”
“I was not aware of his passing. He’s … not dead. I would have known. I would have known,” she repeated. She grew quiet, moving her sights to Marko, only to drop them to the ground. “How did I not know? Why was I not made aware or woken up? My dreams, that’s why they’re changing.” Her hand pressed to her stomach while she swallowed convulsively. “What does this mean for us? What are we to become?”
Marko’s brow creased and he went to place his hand on her shoulder. The moment it touched, she scrambled backward as if he’d burned her.
“Marie?”
The color drained from her face while she began to side-step to the door.
“Marie.” Marko’s voice was deeper. “What is it?”
“N-nothing. Nothing, Your Highness. I … must go. I’m suddenly not so well. My sincerest apologies for Aetas.”
With that, she rushed for the door, closing it quietly behind her. Marko’s eyes were narrowed as he continued to stare at the barrier.
“Odd.” He turned to me, unbuttoning his shirt. “How is my queen?”
Marie’s words came back to me. “Distressed. She continues to cry.”
“Tessa seemed to take Aetas’ passing rather hard, wouldn’t you agree?”
I nodded, hesitant on how I should act. Marko did seem different. So much more easygoing than before. Where was his anger toward me? His hate?
“I’m tired. Have you slept at all?”
“No. Tessa doesn’t calm unless I soothe her.”
Marko’s lips pulled back on the side and I wasn’t sure if it was from anger or something else.
“Soothe her? How?” He stepped closer. “Do you kiss her? Hold her? How do you soothe my queen?”
I didn’t break eye contact as I stood taller. “Aetas made sure I treaded very light around you. I did nothing but stroke her hair. I didn’t hold her or kiss her. Not that I didn’t want to.”
Marko’s smile grew and he turned, walking to the bed. I stayed in place, not sure what to do as he continued to undress.
“Are you coming, or are you going to sleep on the floor?”
