Page 30 of Crown of Thorns
“And?” he asks.
My heart freezes at the warm look he’s giving her. If I could run away, I would.
“Since it’s illegal to discuss the ceremony with someone who is not privileged to the information,” she starts. “And you’re unmarried, she cannot participate.”
“And what is it you’d like to propose?”
“But I am privileged to know the secret details of such a private ceremony,” she says. “I should participate in the anointing. Think of the proper order of things.”
“You would do that for me?” Rhys asks coyly.
I want to throw up. This must be another facet of my punishment. That if I’m going to act as if I’m easily replaceable, Rhys is going to show me what that feels like and I can’t say that I’m a fan.
“I would do anything for you, for the crown and country,” she says proudly, her chest puffed out and a false doe eyed gleam in her cunning gaze.
I feel like I’m missing something huge as we all quietly sit here, and I can’t help but feel like Saoirse just played a trump card and I’m left with a hand that couldn’t win a round of go fish. Like always, I’ll lose again even if I don’t know what winning means or what game we’re playing.
“So it’s settled then,” he says, clapping his hands and the queen smiles a bright smile that says she’s wonthe gold ring, the crown, all of it.
“I knew you’d agree,” she crows triumphantly.
“Of course,” he says agreeably. “I see your point. I’ll make the changes first thing tomorrow.”
“I knew you would see reason,” she says. “Then there’s no need for Miss Reyes to remain in residence.”
And just like that, she’s got my bags packed and is shoving me out the door. I should be happy. Going back to America is what I’ve wanted this entire time, but still, it hurts. Whatever they were talking about, Rhys chose Saoirse and not me.
“Of course not,” he says.
“I’ll not let you take a mistress,” she snaps.
Rhys turns his face to me and where his look at her was soft and gentle, the way he looks at me is both heated and loving.
“I won’t need a mistress when I’m married to Stella,” Rhys answers.
“Excuse me?” she snaps. “What about Lady Thomley? Her family has been expecting a marriage announcement for ages now.”
“Then I believe that they will be disappointed,” he says calmly. “And for that I am truly sorry.”
I look to Lady Thomley, and her cheeks burn bright as she looks down at her plate. To be openly traded like cattle for political gain has to sting. Then again, I remind myself that I’m no better than she. I’ve been traded like livestock for an old man’s gain, one I don’t even remember even though he’s my closest biologicalrelative. My best interest is only as important as what he stands to gain. I can’t help but feel my heart soften toward her. Sure, she’s been kind of awful but what if she has no choice? What if all the monsters here are man-made? What if we’re all created to play our different roles in the fairytale stories? Good or bad, they’ve been decided for us?
“You can’t be serious right now?” she raises her voice.
“I’m deadly serious,” Rhys says quietly as he pushes to stand from the table, proving that we’re all playing checkers while he’s playing chess. “I mean to move the coronation back a few months so that Stella and I can get married first. Then she’ll be well within legal rights to perform the anointing. You were right to correct my mistake, there is a proper order to events needed in order to protect and uphold the traditions of our great nation. I won’t make that mistake again. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go discuss our impending nuptials with my bride-to-be.”
“We’re not done talking here!” Saoirse snaps.
“I believe I said we were,” he says pushing back from his chair. He walks over to me to hold out his hand for me to take and I do because even if I’m unsure of my footing with him, this room is full of snakes and I don’t want to be left alone here when he leaves.
Chapter 10
I Told You
“Excuse me?” I gasp after Rhys leads me through the halls and back to our suite. I stayed quiet, as did he, as we traversed through the castle but when the main door closes behind me, all bets are off.
“Yes, hen?”
“What the hell just happened?” I snap.
