Page 71 of Glass and Bone
“It has definitely been an adjustment.” I admit as she relaxes into the furs with a sigh. “I am sure your chambers will be just as wonderful. I wonder where they’ll put you. My old chambers were next to Theo’s, so maybe there?” I wonder as she sighs again.
“He is so dreamy, Elaenor. His eyes and his hair. And he issonice. How crazy is it that we will both be Rosenthal’s?” She says with her sing-songy voice. I laugh and turn to look at her. I hardly ever hear Tobias’s surname, or my surname now for that matter. Sometimes I still feel as if I am a Pinewell, just a princess of Chatis. She’s lying on her back, wrapped up in furs as she stares up at the ceiling. “Is he as perfect as he seems?” She asks, her voice much quieter.Yes. He is perfect in every way, and she has no idea.
“Theo is the kindest man I have ever met. He saved my life twice in one night.” I say as I collapse on the bed next to her.
“I heard snippets of what happened,” She rolls onto her side, so she faces me. “Are you alright?” I stare up at the ceiling and nod.
“It was the worst night of my life, but also not the worst thing that has happened in the last few weeks.” She stays quiet. “I was raped and beaten, strangled and slapped. The king, not Tobias, his father, was confused towards the end. He thought I was my mother, so he tried to impregnate me, claiming he could give me a son. Thankfully Tobias walked in at the right time, but I think that was almost more terrifying than the men in the woods.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“I’m sorry for what you went through. Is it better now? Is it everything we hoped?” I stay quiet for a moment, thinking.Is it? Am I happy here?
“I don’t know how to answer that, Scarlett. I do think Tobias loves me, but it’s different. We went through a rough patch, but I think it’s getting better. At least I hope it is.”
“I wish you could see the wayhelooks at you.” She says quietly, with an emphasis onhe. “He looks at you like you are the only person in the world.” She sounds sad, so I turn and look at her. She’s picking at a loose thread on the bedspread.
“That’s good right?”
“I’m not talking about Tobias.” She whispers before looking up at me. My pulse skips and my brows furrow slightly. “I am talking about Theo.” I clamp my open mouth shut and sit up.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I slide off the end of the bed and walk over to the sitting area. A decanter of wine and some glasses sit off to the side and I pour myself a glass of the sweet, pink wine knowing Tobias would roll his eyes if he could see me.
“I’m not saying you do, but I am to be married to him, Elaenor.” She joins me over by the fireplace before taking the glass out of my hand and stealing a sip. “Is there anything I should know?” I meet her gaze and tilt my head. I know I should be honest, but if I tell her my feelings, what would she do? Who would she tell?
“Theo kissed me the day his father died. I stopped it, but Tobias saw him. They got into a huge fight, but nothing ever happened. I love my husband.” The last part was less than convincing, but I am still hopeful she bought it. She nods slightly, taking another sip of the wine.
“Should we go back to the party?” She asks and I offer her a smile.
“You have nothing to worry about with me and Theo. He is all yours.” She returns the smile before setting the glass on the table. Her arms come around me again and I squeeze her back.
“I am so glad I came.”
“I am too.”
When we exit the room, Laris and Tano are on either side. I smile and give them a nod. Donovan is waiting against the opposite wall, his hands tightly around a small journal. He quickly joins me on the opposite side of Scarlett as we make our way down the hallway.
The halls are busy, packed with guests and staff. While I would have been fine weaving my way through them, they part like a great sea as I make my way through. I nod at as many as I can, noticing Scarlett staring at everyone with awe. When we finally break through the crowd, I exhale loudly. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this many people.
Scarlett’s arm is linked with mine as we cross the entryway and head back outside. I look around, trying to spot the silver crown in the masses, but I don’t see him. I do catch a sight of my father standing next to a group of women who are all fawning over him. I roll my eyes and scan the crowd again. I can just barely make out a silver crown on a head of golden hair quickly making its way through the masses. I drop my gaze down to the woman walking next to Tobias.
Her auburn hair is down and wavy, shining like fire in the sunlight. She is wearing a tightly fit green dress that perfectly exposes her slightly swollen belly. Tobias’s hand is clasped tightly around her upper arm, dragging her around the edge of the wall and out of sight. My pulse quickens and my mouth goes dry as I stare at the spot Tobias was in.
“Who is that with Tobias?” Scarlett asks and I tear my gaze away from the wall to her confused expression. Her face drains of color and she stumbled back a step.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I reach up to touch her forehead. It feels cold and clammy.
“Yeah, I just got dizzy for a second.” She shakes her head and her brows furrow. I look back towards the portion of the wall Tobias disappeared through.
“Maybe it was the travel? You could be tired. Maybe you should sit down. I will be back in just a moment.” I ask, pulling my arm out of hers. She tightens her grip on me and looks me square in the eyes.
“No, I am coming with you.” Scarlett was always protective of me, and even now she can pick up on the emotions I have tried so hard to hide. I smile slightly and nod. I look back at Laris and Tano, who have kept a steady distance away from us.
“I will just be a moment.”
“We are to stay by your side, Your Grace.”
“I will just be a moment, please stay here.” I say, sharper this time. They exchange looks before nodding in my direction. “Thank you.” I say as I pull Scarlett into the crowd. She stumbles a couple more times, shaking her head to clear the dizziness. She probably just needs rest. It doesn’t take us long to make our way to the palace gates, nodding at the men guarding either side.
We step through slowly and peer around. I don’t see Tobias or the woman, so we head towards the stables. As we get closer, I can hear hushed tones. Scarlett looks over at me and we step quietly up to the doorway, staying hidden against the wall.
