Queen of Secrets

17

“For convincing Garon to let you go all those years ago. For arranging the marriage with Nial in the first place. I had just become King and was dealing with the loss of our parents and my new role as the ruler of Talador. I was only thinking of our kingdom’s future, but I should have been thinking of you too.”

Emotion gripped my throat. “You only did what you thought was best.”

“Perhaps. I had never known love at that point. I thought the two of you were simply being rebellious, swept away in your forbidden affair. But once I met Fellina, I knew I could never marry another, and I see now how much I wronged you both by keeping you apart.” He glanced between the two of us. “You have my blessing.”

The relief was so strong I thought it might knock me over. I threw my arms around Balsam. “Thank you.”

He pulled back and nodded at Garon, who couldn’t hide his faint smile. “We have much to discuss about the future of the Ravens. I look forward to an agreement that can benefit us both.” Balsam’s voice lowered. “But do know that if you let any harm befall my sister, I will destroy every last one of you.”

Garon took my hand and pressed a kiss to it. “Dahlia’s safety and happiness are my utmost priority.”

“See that it remains that way,” Balsam said.

Once my brother dismissed us, we moved into the hallway, where Garon pulled me into his arms and pressed his lips to mine. We’d never been so open about our relationship in the castle before, and though I’d always thought our secret romance was exhilarating, being able to shout our love to the world was even better.

When we broke apart, beaming at each other, I noticed Fellina stood behind Garon. “Congratulations,” she said.

“How did you know?” Garon asked.

She gave him that beautiful, serene smile. “I just did.”

My eyes widened. “You knew all of this would happen all along, didn’t you? That’s why you asked me to move to the tower.”

“The fortune runes often show me many different futures and the paths we might take. This one leads to the brightest future—for the two of you, for Talador, and for the King’s daughters.” She ran her fingers over her stomach. “As I said, they’ll need you. Both of you.”

“I wish you would tell me more,” I said, worry creeping in through my joy. “You truly are the queen of secrets.”

She laughed softly. “No, but they will call you that one day.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Later, I promise.” She took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. “First we have a wedding to plan.”

Twelve

Garon

ONE YEAR LATER

I

found Dahlia in the garden, sitting on a stone bench beside Fellina, who was already round with her second child. Her first daughter, Lily, sat on the ground by their feet, slowly ripping pieces of grass apart with her chubby fingers. The future ruler of Talador was dark-haired like her father and would no doubt be as beautiful as her mother.

Both women smiled at me, and though they were each incredibly pleasing on the eyes, the one who made my heart quicken was my wife. Dahlia’s dark hair was down today, falling in waves about her shoulders, drawing my eyes to the low neckline of her gown and the swell of her bosom. We’d married a year ago in the ceremony originally planned for her and Prince Nial, but I doubted my passion for her would ever fade.

Though we initially worried we’d meet some resistance to the princess marrying a commoner, the people of Talador had loved it, earning the royal family a boost in popularity despite the never-ending war with Ilidan. Balsam also gained the Ravens as allies and made Dahlia his official royal advisor, so that the two of us could better protect the kingdom from threats inside and out.

“Ladies,” I said, dropping into a quick bow.

“You should know by now that you don’t have to do that,” Dahlia said in a teasing voice. “Definitely not,” Fellina said with a smile. “We’re family, after all.”

“Old habits die hard, I suppose.” I clasped my hands behind my back. Though I’d lived in the tower with Dahlia for a year, I would never be able to forget that I had grown up as a servant in this castle. Of course, now I was the Raven Master and commanded respect of my own. In the last year I’d transformed the Ravens from a group of assassins who cared for nothing but money and power into a covert organization that served Talador’s best interests. We worked as spies and thieves, gaining intelligence and assets for our King, though we still acted as assassins when it was required. It was my hope that our efforts would be able to end the war with Ilidan quickly and decisively.

“Won’t you join us?” Fellina asked me. “It’s a lovely day.”

“I simply came to give my wife the latest message from our spy in Ilidan.”

Dahlia leaned back on the bench and tilted her head up to the sun. “I’ll read it soon. I have to absorb what sun I can before it begins snowing again.”

My eyes lingered on her graceful neck, wishing I could trail my lips across it. Perhaps we could sneak away into a dark corner before meeting with the King to discuss the latest intelligence report.

Dahlia caught me staring and laughed, then trailed a hand along her bosom, no doubt to draw my attention there. “Is there something else you want, my love?”

I gave her a roguish smile. “Always.”

Dahlia rose to her feet, her cheeks flushed with desire. “I’m sorry, but it seems I’m needed elsewhere, Fellina.”

“I understand all too well,” the Queen said, with a nod to her daughter, who was trying to crawl across the grass without much success.

“Indeed,” Dahlia said, as she entwined her hand with mine. “My horrible brother hardly gave you a break between those two.”

“I don’t mind at all. Except that Rose won’t stop kicking me,” Fellina said, resting her hand on her stomach. “She’s already a fiery one.”

“Another girl?” I asked, arching a brow.

Fellina smiled. “Yes. And she has an important role ahead of her.”

“What’s that?” Dahlia asked.

Fellina gazed down at her stomach with love. “She’s going to end the war with Ilidan.”