Page 79 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

“Maybe the bond got to her,” Laera suggested.

“She wanted to ensure the alliance,” Lagina said. “I tried to talk her out of it, but you know Cora. Once she’s made up her mind on something, it’s happening.”

“Tonight?” I asked.

“Sunset,” Lagina said.

“Is this really the best use of our time?” I asked.

“You should invite the people,” Ryvin said. “Do it somewhere they can see it and be part of it. Give everyone something to celebrate. A moment of distraction.”

“That’s a good idea,” Lagina said. “You really do think like a king, you know that?”

Ryvin looked a little pale.

Someone knocked on the door, and Argus crossed the room to open it. Sophia’s whole face lit up when she sawus. I didn’t even get to say hello before I was wrapped in her arms.

“I’m glad you’re back. I could use some help,” she said as she released me from her embrace.

“Whatever you need,” I offered.

“Great. You find the flowers for Cora’s bouquet,” she said cheerfully.

30

Ara

The day wasa blur of flowers and silk and mountains of pastries. The kitchens made as much food as they did for the Choosing, only this time, it was for a celebration.

Sophia took over, just as Ophelia would have, making sure that everything was going to be beautiful. Even Ryvin and Vanth joined in, helping to build a platform for the bride and groom to stand on during their ceremony.

The only thing missing was Cora. I hadn’t seen her since arriving and every time I tried to make my way to her rooms, I was given another task to complete. She’d been completing as much of the pre-wedding traditions as she could, but I hated that she was doing them alone. She’d traveled with Argus to make offerings at the temples, and I knew Lagina had sent some of the special oils their motherhad used for her to bathe and prepare for the ceremony. When we were nearing sunset, I finally made my way to her room to check on her.

“Come in,” she called in response to my knock.

I entered the room and found her sitting in her undergarments, staring at a pile of gorgeous saffron colored silk. I brushed my fingers over it. “This is beautiful. Did your mother set it aside for you?”

“It was a gift from Bahar. Apparently, he had it brought when he first arrived, but asked Lagina to store it for me so he wouldn’t scare me away.” She looked up at me and fixed a diplomatic smile on her lips. “How are you? I haven’t seen you enough lately.”

“Don’t do that, Cora,” I said. “Don’t entertain me. I’m here to check on you, not ask you to play hostess.”

She hummed, then returned her attention to the dress. “I know she wasn’t the best mother, but I miss her. I wish she was here.”

I moved closer so I could put my arm around her. She leaned into me, resting her head on my upper chest. “I’m sorry she’s not here. I’m sorry for everything you’ve had to endure the last few weeks. You shouldn’t be doing this so quickly.”

She sat up and turned her stunning blue eyes on me. “I think I feel the mating bond.”

I lifted my brows, surprised by the change of topic. “Oh?”

“He wasn’t going to marry me. I might have used some of my… special skills to change his mind,” she confessed.

“He was going to marry you eventually,” I replied. “That was why he came here in the first place.”

“I know. But when he returned and said he’d wait, it was like it changed something in me. I don’t know how to explain the sensation. I know he cares about me. Which makes no sense. We don’t even know each other,” she said.

“Mating bonds are …” I struggled to come up with the correct word, “different.”

She chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.”

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