Beauty In Darkness

27

“Your people seem to love you.” I nodded toward the banners proclaiming Long live King Raith! Others praised the Sun and Moon, and even more celebrated the end of the war. I even spotted one or two that welcomed me to Ilidan.

He shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“They do. You’d never see this kind of celebration in Talador for our king. The people feel he’s abandoned them. But you ended a war. You’re a hero.”

“I’ve simply tried to do my best for my kingdom,” Raith said. “I’m sure there are many areas in which I’ve failed miserably. Or other problems I can’t seem to solve.”

“Raith, you’ve done a wonderful job, especially considering how young you were when you became king, and all the other things you’ve had to deal with.” I lightly touched his arm. “I’m proud to be your wife and queen.”

He c****d his head. “Truly?”

I smiled at him. “Truly.”

He gazed at me in a way that made the rest of the world fade away. I couldn’t hear the crowd or see the banners, the only thing that existed was the way his gray eyes captured mine. Something passed between us, an understanding laced with temptation and heat, but then we turned a corner and the carriage jolted, and the moment was lost.

The crowd on this street wasn’t throwing confetti. There were no bright banners or loud cheers. The mood had suddenly gone from celebratory to hostile as we rolled down the street. Men and women in the front line of the crowd shook their heads, crossed their arms, or glared at us. No, at me.

“Go back to the frozen lands!” one man yelled, and a moment later something sharp hit my arm, making me yelp. A rock.

Raith’s eyes darkened, storm clouds gathered, and thunder rumbled in the sky. Lightning crackled in his palms and a few people gasped. He glared out at the crowd with cold fury, as if searching for the one who’d struck me. I’d never seen that look on his face before, but I wasn’t afraid. If anything, I was surprised—and a little thrilled—he’d be so protective of me.

“It’s all right.” I rested a hand on his knee. “We knew some people wouldn’t be happy about our marriage. Not when our kingdoms have been at war for so long.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re their queen. They should respect you.”

“Maybe they will someday. I haven’t done anything to earn that respect yet.”

“We ended the war with our marriage. Is that not enough?” He scowled, but the sparks in his hands vanished. “I suppose you’re right. Our kingdoms have been enemies for decades. Many people lost loved ones to the war. It will take time to heal those old wounds.”

“Exactly. This is only the first step.” I slid my fingers into his, which still tingled with power. “Showing the people that we’re one united front will prove this alliance is real and that things will change for our people.”

“You are very wise, my queen.” He raised my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles, sending a slight shiver up my spine. A few people in the crowd cheered at the sight. I knew he’d done it just for them, but it still made me want more.

I flashed him a bright smile and then turned it onto the crowd as we continued down the winding streets toward our destination, the Sun and Moon Temple on the western side of Archdale. The buildings grew older as we approached, and I caught sight of something painted on the side of them. Warnings drawn with bold, dark strokes that proclaimed: Beware the night, stay in the light.

“What is that about?” I asked, gesturing toward the wall.

Raith’s face turned hard at the sight. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

I tugged my hand away from him. “Don’t tell me that. I want to concern myself with it.” We passed another warning: Fear the darkness, Sun and Moon protect us. “What are these people afraid of? Does it have something to do with how bright the castle is kept at night? And why I’m not allowed to step outside after sundown?”

Raith’s eyebrows pinched together. “We’ll discuss it later, Rose. Now is not the time.”

I was ready to demand he tell me everything immediately, but we were nearly to the temple now. This discussion would have to wait, even though I was impatient to get the truth. I was on the brink of discovering the answer to questions I’d had the entire time I’d lived in Ilidan, and I wouldn’t let Raith keep secrets from me any longer.

The long procession finally culminated at the temple, which consisted of an area open to the sky with tall pillars and arches. Behind this courtyard stood a large building made of the same glittering black stone as Varlock Castle, with gold and silver carvings of the Celestials all over it.

When our carriage stopped, Raith stepped down and offered me his hand to help me out, which was no easy feat in this voluminous gown. The crowd cheered as we walked up the steps to the temple hand in hand, although one man spat at my feet, barely missing my slipper. Guards held him back while Raith’s fingers clenched tight around mine, but I kept my head up and continued walking. Despite my brave face and my words to Raith earlier, it still stung knowing some people didn’t like me or approve of me as his wife. It was to be expected, of course, but it was still hard to be the object of such animosity—and a reminder that we had a lot to do before our two kingdoms could truly be at peace.