Page 74 of Ira

“I think it’s just what we need, my love.”

Chapter 26

Sunlis was in uproar when I left. Technically, I hadn’t relinquished my position yet—I would need to go in front of the monarch for that—but they all knew that it was my intention. Perhaps I wouldn’t rush it, though. The estate wouldn’t fall apart without me actively managing it for a little while, and I wasn’t in the mood to be as cognizant of my parents’ feelings as I usually was.

They’d gotten themselves into this mess by trying to force me into the role early in the first place.

I followed Theon and his mate, my arm around Meera’s shoulders, as we made our way down to the entry room near the front of the property, having settled on returning to Lindow with them for the time being.

A small part of me—the part that didn’t like to disappoint anyone—felt guilty that I was essentially leaving my family to eat themselves alive. But that was their decision to make, it wasn’t as though I hadn’t tried to handle the situation in a dignified and orderly fashion.

“Are you okay?” Meera whispered, looking up at me. The trust in her eyes was an astounding thing. Had she ever looked at me like that before? So openly? So honestly? Things had shifted so much between us in just the past hour, that it made me feel foolish for not telling her I loved her earlier.

Of course, she’d needed to hear it—even if she hadn’t been ready to say it back yet. Meera wasn’t used to being loved, but she would be. I’d make sure of it.

“I’m wonderful, my love. What about you? Are you sure you don’t want to go back to the palace? Even if I’m not welcome, there’s no reason you should feel pushed out—”

“I’m not going anywhere you’re not,” Meera replied stubbornly. I squeezed her a little tighter into my side as we entered the in-between. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to walk through here now without remembering what Meera and I had done in the darkness. Her scent sweetened slightly, and I wondered if she was thinking the same thing.

With a jolt, I realized my jaw was beginning to ache, and I ran my tongue over my teeth, finding them slightly sharper than usual.

I wanted to bite Meera. I wanted it more than anything.

Slow down. Talk about this rationally. Bring the subject up in a light-hearted way so you don’t terrify her. There’s no rush.

“I want to bite you.”

Damn it.

Meera’s scent bloomed. “Good.”

Good?

“Is that… do you want that?” I asked, not daring to hope.

“Could youpleasetalk about that when you’re alone?” Theon groused. “The scent is quite distracting. Look, we’re here. We’ll show you to your rooms, and see you whenever you resurface.”

Verity laughed while Meera hid her face against my arm.

“Get it, girl,” Verity called over her shoulder. “We’ll leave some dinner outside your door for you later—we can do the whole welcome feast thing tomorrow.”

That sounded like an excellent notion to me, but Meera seemed embarrassed so I kept my agreement to myself.

Lindow used to be the main royal residence, and while it wasn’t as grand as the current palace, it was far larger than Sunlis. I barely paid attention while Verity led us up the stairs and down corridors to a suite of rooms in the opposite wing to where they stayed.

“Fortunately, I’d just got these all done up because I was hoping to start having guests,” Verity said proudly, throwing the door open and gesturing for us to enter. “Honestly, I’m just going to leave you guys to it. I’ll see you whenever you come up for air. Kay, bye!”

Meera turned as red as one of the vegetables she grew in her garden while Verity closed the door behind her, laughing merrily down the corridor.

“We don’t have to do a single thing you don’t want to do,” I assured Meera, making sure not to crowd her. There appeared to be a living room, washroom, and two separate bedrooms in this suite—it was a very generous amount of space. I idly wondered what kind of grand guests it had housed in the past back when this had been the royal residence.

Meera walked straight past me, heading for the larger bedroom without saying a word. I hesitated in the living room, wondering whether or not I was meant to follow.

“Come here, Verner.”

I almost fell over my own feet in my haste to get to her. Meera stood next to the edge of the bed, looking radiant in her blue dress, hands clasped in front of her.

“Can we try something?” she asked.

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