Page 24 of Oaths & Vengeance
I didn’t want to let my cousin out of sight in a strange place, but I understood I’d only be in the way with such a small room. “How long will it take?”
“No more than an hour,” Durelle replied, pulling away from Darrow with a kind smile for him.
With that, the two healers went into the bedroom and shut the door. As suggested, I sat in the rocking chair and stared at the fire. From the back of the room, I could hear Darrow and his friends eating and shuffling a deck of cards. At least they’d prepared a way to entertain themselves.
About ten minutes passed when Faina spoke from the couch where she lay comfortably. “So, is that the dress you’re wearing to get married?”
“Does it look like I brought anything else?” I asked, not bothering to look at her.
If not for the wedding, I would have come in a tunic and pants, but knowing I’d see the king tonight, I’d chosen the newest of my riding dresses. It was a soft blue that hugged my waist, had tight long sleeves, and a full skirt. My favorite part was that it buttoned up to my neck, showing no cleavage. What was the point in wearing anything remotely flattering?
“Hmm, I assumed you’d dress up more,” she said, sounding bored.
I had a feeling she only asked to irritate me. Undoubtedly, she would have nitpicked anything I wore. I’d agonized over my choice all day, aware someone would say something, but I’d chosen to be practical in the end.
I finally looked at her. “There’s no point when it’s a marriage on paper only, and no one is going to know about it except those of us in this cabin and the king.”
Darrow’s face was in profile to me, but I gave him credit for appearing as if he wasn’t listening to us as he tossed cards on the table. At least hewasn’t making any snarky comments. Perhaps he was letting his sister take over for him.
“You’re right, of course. It’s just that you only get married once, and you seem like the romantic type who’d want to make it special regardless of the circumstances.” She sat up to look at her brother. “But you two must think alike because Darrow is also in simple riding clothes.”
“It’s called being pragmatic,” I said.
Her brother turned to look at us. “Did I mention the king insisted we stay the night at the palace after the ceremony?”
“What?” My jaw dropped. “I thought we’d go home afterward.”
“He’s aware we aren’t a love match, but he thinks we should spend some quality time together in the hope it could become one. Misguided as it may seem, he believes we should try to make it work if we want his approval. A room is being prepared for us,” he said, amused—likely at the horror on my face. “But don’t worry because nothing is going to happen in there.”
Despite his words, I dreaded spending an entire night alone with him. It wasn’t as if I could argue with the king, though. If he wanted us to spend time together after agreeing to a secret marriage, we had to go along with it. I only wondered how we would manage all this without anyone at court finding out.
“Fine.” I met his gaze. “We’ll just sleep and go our separate ways in the morning.”
Darrow set his playing cards facedown and leaned back in his chair. “I must insist you don’t seduce me while we’re there, though.”
Faina coughed to hide a laugh. The other two men in the room seemed abnormally interested in their hands and didn’t look at any of us.
Fine. If he wanted to play games, then so would I. “Are you implying I could seduce you?” I batted my eyelashes. “Or are you hoping?”
Darrow lifted a brow, surprise in his gaze. “Only if you beg on your knees…again.”
My jaw dropped. “You’re such an ass. I’d rather be eaten by a sea snake than ever be touched by you…again.”
He snorted and picked up his cards. “We’ll see about that soon enough when we kiss before the king.”
I ground my teeth and turned to face the fireplace. Though it seemed like hours, a short time later, Briauna opened the door and gestured at me. Her expression was calm. I rose from the rocking chair and went to the bedroom. Inside, I found Rynn sitting up with the color restored to her face and the blackness that had covered her hands gone. A blanket covered her feet, but I was sure they were also better.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
She smiled. “Great…and different.”
My gaze moved to Durelle in the chair by the bed. I found her complexion pale and her face drawn. Curing my cousin had taken a lot out of her. She seemed less vibrant, and her body slumped in her seat.
“Thank you,” I said, hoping my gratitude showed.
She nodded almost imperceptibly. “Rynn is a good girl and will carry on my work. I’m glad you brought her.”
“Will someone be staying with you after we go?” I asked.
