Page 129 of The Ruler
“You could make it legal to get a divorce. That way you could get rid of her if sheisa spy.”
“Itislegal to get a divorce,” I pointed out.
“Yeah, but only if there’s physical abuse involved.”
“Oh, there will be if she betrays me,” I said solemnly. “I guarantee she’ll have the reddest ass in the country.”
“Spanking isn’t abuse,” Magni pointed out.
I raised a brow. “Pearl will think it is.”
“Right!” Magni nodded. “Just don’t go soft on her. If you need tips on how to discipline her, I could…”
“Don’t.” I held up my hand. “I don’t need relationship advice from you.”
His eyes darkened. “No, of course not. Why would you take advice from a husband whose wife ran away?”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
Magni stood up. “Right!”
“Magni,” I said in a placating tone but he was already leaving, and turned by the door.
“I’ll perform the ceremony tomorrow and smile for the cameras, but know this: I still don’t fucking trust her.”
After he left, my day was occupied with practical details. My entire staff was working like busy bees to prepare for the ceremony, and I didn’t see Pearl until after midnight when I came to bed.
“Are you asleep?” I whispered.
“I was,” she said drowsily and rolled onto her side to face me. “I haven’t seen you all day.”
“I know. I had to take care of the practicalities.”
“You promised it wouldn’t be anything fancy.”
“It’s not.” I took her hand. “But I still want it to be perfect.”
Her eyelids were heavy and she struggled to stay awake.
“Hey,” I whispered, feeling a heavy knot in my stomach. “Are you okay?”
“Uh-huh.” She blinked her lovely blue eyes open and rubbed her nose. “Just a little nervous.”
“About the ceremony or about seeing your mom?”
“Both, I guess. You know, about my mom...”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t be mad at her for what she did,” Pearl said softly. “My mom was trying to protect me.”
“By locking you up?”
“Khan,” Pearl pleaded. “I was angry at her too, but she’s my mom and I love her.”
“I’ll be nice to her,” I promised.
“Good. My mom is an extraordinary woman and she can be our strongest ally in the council if you can make her see why I fell in love with you.”
