Page 110 of Queen of the Night
“Just thinking about what’s next.” I try to sound confident, but I know he’ll see straight through it.
His eyes soften with understanding. “We landed closer this time, about half a day’s journey to the sharp flyers, so we should reach them anytime now. When we return to Moneyre we’ll need to marry quickly so we can bridge.” His brow furrowswith an unspoken apology. “There isn’t time for lengthy planning for the ceremony.”
That doesn’t bother me. I don’t need a fancy ceremony, I just need Ikar. But Iamcurious about one thing.
“Can you bridge without being married?” I ask.
Ikar pauses. “I’ve read nothing that says youcan’t.”
“So we could bridge right now?” I know I sound overeager, but I need answers. If we can fix this right now, why don’t we?
He smirks. “If I had the tulip, I suppose. It’s in Moneyre. Both the king and Tulip have to touch it to bridge, but traditionally marriage comes first. In our case, I feel it’s even more important that our people see us marry to present a united front and build their confidence with a Black Tulip as queen once again.”
At my concerned look, he adds, “They’ll be hesitant at first, but they’ll come around once they get to know you.”
“Sounds wonderful,” I whisper.
He chuckles. We walk in comfortable silence, hand in hand, until Ikar speaks again.
“Will you tell me about the rest of the Tulips now?”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
I laugh, feeling almost giddy that I can finally share this part of my life with him. “There are eight of us. Tatania is our leader, but acts more like a mother. Renna, my best friend, she’s a Tulip too?—”
“So Iwasright,” he interrupts with a cocky smile.
“About what?”
“I guessed you didn’t want to tell me about the list because your friend was on it. I thought you were just jealous.”
“I would’ve been,” I say, unashamed. Feeling a little bold, I add, “The only Tulip you can ever have in your arms isme.”
And we’ll be married in days.
The roguish half-smile on his lips sparks a fire within me. “As you command, my lady. I am yours alone.”
The blush on my cheeks deepens at the look of warm promise in his gaze, but he takes mercy on me a moment later and redirects the conversation. “You were telling me about the Tulips?”
“Oh. Er—Yes…” I stumble over my words as I try to get my mind off the thought of Ikar’s arms around me, his lips on mine… “I mentioned Tatania and Renna, and there’s also Fina, who I’ve always looked up to. She’s?—”
“They’re gone!” Darvy shouts from ahead.
Rhosse curses.
“Hold that thought.” Ikar squeezes my hand, then releases it and jogs ahead.
I grumble to myself as I watch him go, imagining the long trek we have back to Moneyre without the sharp flyers to help. Now it will be even longer before we can wed—not that I’m impatient at all. But I can almost tangibly feel my mood darkening the more I think about it.
Rupi’s warning chirps sound from the treetops just before I hear swords clash through the thickening chill gloam encroaching around us. Dread snakes through my body as my steps slow, and Rupi shoots to my neck, quilling up on my shoulder. Her feathers prick into my neck hard enough to draw blood, but I ignore it as I run forward, pulling lucent and sending it farther than I’ve ever tried in order to reach the men ahead.
I catch sight of Ikar through the shadows, and he meets my eyes. I don’t know what to think of the unfamiliar expression on his face, a mix of panic and fury, as he attempts to get back to me. He yanks his sword from a gloam soldier and kicks him tothe ground before he sprints to reach me, only to have two more soldiers corner him. He roars in frustration as he blocks their swings with expert precision.
The look on his face and the presence of gloam soldiers can only mean?—
The unmistakable chill of the horribly familiar gloam noose snakes around my neck, and when he whispers near my ear, I’m not even surprised.Renton.
