Page 120 of The Forgotten Queen
Dannyn looked down again, silently shaking with giggles. It was literally the most inappropriate time to laugh, and yet, Marx couldn’t help himself. It wasn’t even that funny, but if Marx didn’t laugh, he would completely fall apart. He dropped his head, placing his hand over his forehead, hoping to pass his laughter off as sorrow.
Marx felt Sydria shift next to him. Whatever feelings she’d had for him before this moment would surely fade.
Who laughed at their own father’s funeral?
But beyond the laughter, once Sydria found out who she really was and what his father had done, she wouldn’t want anything to do with Marx or his family.
* * *
All the guests had gone home, the food had been cleaned up, and the lights in the castle were turned down low. Marx and his family sat in silence in the royal sitting room, lost in thought.
“Well, it was a long, lovely day,” his mother said, standing from her chair. “I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go to bed.”
Dannyn looked at him with a worried look in her eyes. “Mom, I’ll go with you.” She stood too, wrapping her arm around her mother’s shoulders. “Good night, you two,” Dannyn called as she walked out of the room with his mother.
Sydria sat on the other end of the couch, rubbing her temple with her fingers. She had on a simple black dress, and her hair was tied back from her face into a ponytail. She looked beautiful. Marx hadn’t spent much time with her over the last week, partly because they’d both been so busy and partly because Marx knew what was coming. As soon as she found out who she really was, she’d leave him. There would be a hole so deep inside his heart, he didn’t know if he’d be able to survive.
Marx had no right to love her. She wasn’t his, not really. She’d go back to New Hope.
But not tonight.
Tonight, she was his wife.
He leaned over, reaching for her arm, pulling her to him. Her dark eyes peered into his as she curled up next to him on the couch. She rested her head on his chest, snuggling in close, and all Marx wanted to do was stay with her forever.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I am now.” He wrapped both his arms around her. “Are you okay? I’ve noticed that you haven’t been feeling well sometimes.”
“I’ve had a few headaches this past week.”
Marx tensed, dipping his chin down to see her better. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s not a big deal, but it’s sweet that you’ve noticed.”
“Of course I’ve noticed. Let’s meet with Doctor Moore tomorrow to see if there’s anything that can be done.”
“Okay.” She nodded against him.
“You were great today…and this last week.” He kissed the top of her forehead.
“It was nothing.”
“It waseverythingto me.”
They sat in silence, holding each other. It was only a matter of time until Sydria would ask him about their deal. The entire charade of their fake relationship had been to prove to Marx’s father that they were falling in love, but now that his father was dead, they didn’t need to keep the pretense up. And now that Marx thought he knew who she was, she could go home.
It was over.
There was nothing left to keep her here.
Marx should tell her right then. He waited for the words to come.
Nothing.
Maybe he didn’t have to tell her yet.
Maybe theycouldstay like that…just for a little bit longer.
