Page 140 of A Dance of Shadows

Marc turns his other hand to twine his fingers with mine. “I love you.”

The words are so unexpected that I can only blink at him. One word of my own tumbles out of me. “What?”

Possibly not quite the response a husband hopes to receive when making such a declaration to his wife.

But Marc smiles wryly and tips his head closer so he can claim a brief kiss. “I know it probably wasn’t what either of us thought we’d be getting out of this arrangement. I can’t say I’m sorry for it, though. Perhaps I’ll manage to amaze you enough in time that you can say the same back to me.”

He kisses me again, swift but tender, before getting to his feet. “Get as much sleep as you can. You can trust in the guards at your door. I need to go see if there’s anyone else who deserves to be run through tonight.”

He strides off, leaving his confession still ringing in my ears and a sharper pang of guilt lodged in my gut.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Aurelia

Iroll over on the bed for the thousandth time and suppress a groan at the sunlight streaming through the window. I’ve spent more time tossing and turning than actually sleeping, but my maids will be by to get me ready any minute now.

We’re almost back in Vivencia. Just half a day, and I’ll be out of carriages for as long as I can reasonably avoid them. I’ll be in the palace where I can slip away to see my princes whenever we need to through the passages in the walls.

I’ll find out exactly what Marc meant with his promises.

That last thought makes my innards wobble as if I’m back in the carriage already, jolting over a pothole. When I blink, the image comes back to me of his intense gaze when he told me he loves me.

What does that even mean from a man who thought nothing of starving me and poisoning me less than a year ago?

How can part of me actually believe him?

It doesn’t matter even if I do. He doesn’tknowme. If he loves me—in whatever way a man like him is capable of—he loves the façade of a perfect wife I’ve presented him with.

I yank aside the covers with a little more force than is really required and heave myself off the bed. I should still have a few weeks before the life inside me decides it’s time to meet the world, but it’s hard to imagine my belly getting much bigger. It’ll certainly be a while before I can glide around the palace with appropriate imperial grace again.

A glimmer by the bottom of the window catches my gaze. I shuffle over, yawning and stretching the aches from my hips and back as well as I can, and peer outside.

My heart skips a beat and then thumps harder, drumming a swell of affection through my veins.

Several coraya seed pods lie scattered on the outer window ledge, shining with reflected sunlight even brighter than they gleam by moonlight.

One of the princes must have gathered some when we had our interlude in the coraya grove in Accasy. He saved them for a moment when he could offer them up as a reminder of the love we share. Perhaps Bastien breezed them up to the window last night, or Raul climbed through the shadows while Lorenzo concealed him from the guards with illusions.

I’ll see my lovers properly tonight. One way or another, I’ll make sure we can meet in the sealed-off servants’ room that everyone else has forgotten.

When the knock comes on my door, I call my maids in with my mind still elsewhere. While they help prepare my outward appearance for the day, I prepare inside.

I had to endure Linus’s company all yesterday. It should be Marc today. That’ll make the last part of the trip home more pleasant—and I’m sure I can encourage him to join me in mybedroom after dinner. One prick of my ring, and I can safely head off to the interlude I’d prefer to be having.

And I won’t let myself feel guilty about it, not a single twinge. What has Marc ever offered me, really, except pain and pretty words?

I catch myself fidgeting with the gold wedding band that’s grown tight around my wrist and force my hand to drop to my side. Eusette pins the last lock of my hair in place and declares me ready to face the world.

I proceed to the dining room on my own, other than the two ever-present guards trailing their discreet—but shorter than usual after the other night—distance behind me. Savory, creamy smells drift up the stairs from the waystation kitchen.

Animated chatter carries from the doorway ahead of me. Clearly plenty of the nobles roused themselves early, looking forward to finally getting home.

“Your Imperial Highness!” Bianca ambles down the hall to meet me at a faster pace than looks completely casual. She dips her head and falls into step beside me. “It’s a pleasure to see you this morning.”

“It’s good to see you too, Vicerine,” I say, biting back the question of why she’s made sure to do so.

Bianca drops her voice low as if to exchange frivolous gossip. “I thought you’d want to be aware—Marclinus is in an odd temper this morning. Mostly good-humored but snapping at odd moments. I’ve treaded carefully.”

---