Page 87 of Oaths & Vengeance
A dark figure entered the courtyard and immediately cast his gaze on me. I stood, moving toward him. Darrow met me halfway with suspicion in his eyes, which was disconcerting, but I wouldn’t let that get to me. I walked right up, rose on my toes, and kissed him. His mouth tasted of alcohol, which wasn’t unexpected. He stood frozen for a moment in what I suspected was shock before warming and returning the gesture.
We pulled apart, him with a frown. His voice was low as he asked, “What are you doing here?”
“It’s your birthday,” I said, following his example and whispering. Just this once, I wanted to be the one planning and acting first. Maybe he couldn’t ever love me, but he could feel many other emotions. I wanted to test them all and see where it led.
His gaze changed to one of surprise. “How did you know?”
“I saw the date on our marriage contract.”
“Thank you for remembering, but you shouldn’t be here.” He took my hand and guided me toward a copse of trees at the back of the courtyard, where the shadows were deeper. “You’ll be in danger if you’re seen.”
We continued to keep our voices low.
“Which is why I’m wearing a cloak,” I replied, drawing it closer around my face.
He worked his jaw. “Yes, I see that, but every moment you’re here puts your life at greater risk. It’s not worth it…even for my birthday.”
I couldn’t help feeling a little hurt, considering he’d forgotten about mine and then didn’t want to see me on his. It was frustrating. At the ball and Jolloure, it seemed like he wanted more from our marriage, even if it was only physical, but now he pushed me away.
“Fine, I should be able to go home in an hour.” Shoving my hands into my cloak pockets, I pulled small, wrapped gifts from each one. “These are gifts for you and your sister.”
I pushed them into his hands as he gave them a bewildered look. “Why would you give us gifts?”
“Do you really have to ask? This marriage is a secret now, but it won’t be forever, and I’m just trying to make it work,” I said, growing frustrated with him.
He shook his head and put the gifts back into my cloak pockets. “You should save those efforts for the future when things are safer.”
“Are you serious? Every time I come to you, I take a risk, but I do it anyway because you ask it of me. Even after my uncle caught me, and everything that he…” I clenched my fists, unwilling to tell him what I’d endured since he probably didn’t care regardless of what he claimed. “Anyway, I’m fully aware of the repercussions, but since the ball, I thought you’d at least be open to this.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his loose hair. “Those were different circumstances where I had everything planned and coordinated. This city is full of spies for nearly everyone in the realm, and I have no way to shield you from them all, especially without adequate warning. You might have made it through here once without being noticed, but it’s unlikely to happen again.”
“Yes, we wouldn’t want anyone to suspect we’re married, such as the leader of the Andalagar tribe,” I said in a scathing voice.
His lips twitched. “So he told you about that?”
“Yes.” I lifted a brow. “After he kissed me.”
Darrow stiffened, and his eyes narrowed. “He didwhat?”
“Orran had me open a portal to where the Naforya Fountain should be located. We were discussing it, and then he kissed me out of nowhere,” I said, shrugging. “Guess he wanted to see how committed I am to you.”
Darrow turned his face away, but I managed to catch a glimpse of his anger. The hard line of his jaw told me he was fighting a much stronger reaction. His voice came out cold, “Did you enjoy his kiss?”
I let out a low, bitter laugh. “Does it really matter when you don’t want to see me on your birthday or accept my gifts?”
“You’re still mine, dear wife. No one touches you except me,” he said, voice menacingly low.
“Then why don’t you take me somewhere and prove it?” I challenged, trying to turn the situation around. Why couldn’t anything ever be on my terms?
He let out a growl of frustration. “Because this isn’t the time or place, and you should know that by now. If someone sees you, it could ruin all my plans, which are more important than a damned birthday.”
Yet, obviously, he could sit around drinking with others. Just not his wife. Despite everything he’d said recently, he likely still saw me as the enemy. Playing with me could only be on his terms, never mine. Red, hot anger poured through my veins.
In that moment, I was sorely tempted to punch him. “Tonight, I was prepared to consummate this marriage, but thanks for making it clear that even fucking me isn’t worth your time.” I pulled the gifts back from my pockets and shoved them into his chest, but he let them fall to the ground. “Hope you have a happy birthday, Darrow.”
His expression hardened. “You’re being ridiculous.”
I backed away toward the ring, letting him see all the rage in my eyes. I’d taken a whipping to protect this marriage and lain in horrific pain for a week, but this was how he greeted me when I tried to do something nice despite everything? Now, I felt as ridiculous as he claimed.
