by Frost Kay
Gavriel closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry, my love,” he whispered to the soft ocean breeze. “You know that I would never betray you, but you’re gone. I know you would have wanted the best for Isa, and I believe that is Mira. This arrangement will benefit all three of us.” Tears pressed at the back of his eyes, and he swallowed the lump in his throat before continuing. “I will always love you.” A tear rolled down his cheek, and he brushed it away before opening his eyes and tipping his head back to stare at the evening sky. “Please give me the strength to do what I must and help me make the right decision.”
He forced himself from his chair and spared the fading sunset one last glance. If he thought about it any longer, he would talk himself out of it.
Gavriel squared his shoulders and left the balcony with one purpose in mind: convincing Mira that his family was the perfect one for her.
By the end of the night, hopefully he’d be betrothed.
Chapter 12
Mira
Mira tightened her arms around Isa who slept with her face smooshed against the healer’s shoulder, mouth open.
The longer she thought about what had happened in the cove, the angrier she got. How long had Isa been consorting with the Leviathan? When did she start showing signs of her lineage? Why in the hell had no one noticed?
Her legs burned as she slowly ascended the last few steps that led to the royal wing. Her bare feet sank into the soft blue decorative carpets that lined the wide, ornate hallway. Lit lanterns lined the corridor, the flames casting shadows along the stone walls.
They’d been gone for longer than she’d anticipated. The ride home took far longer than normal. Almost immediately, Isa had fallen asleep, and Mira didn’t have it in her to wake the little one up by galloping back to the palace. Instead, she’d taken a slow meandering route back, trying to organize her feelings about the afternoon.
Plus, it gave her time to leave a few treats for Lore, her semi-tame snowy owl. He was a shy bird, but he didn’t show any hesitation when he spotted Isa. In fact, he’d seemed almost curious as he landed on Mira’s arm, going as far to preen the wee one. Lore had never done that with anyone but Mira before.
Isa twitched and released a deep sigh, her body completely lax in Mira’s arms as they approached Gav’s set of rooms.
Her nerves ratcheted up a notch. Mira hesitated, staring at the huge, carved mahogany door. How was she supposed to broach the subject of Isa’s heritage? The little one’s gills had already sealed shut. There was barely a visible mark. Would Gav believe her?
Mira shifted Isa to her hip, keeping one arm secured under her bum and knocked softly on the door with her left hand. The door flew open, and she blinked at Gav, practically swallowing her tongue.
The prince wore fitted black leather trousers slung low on his hips, and a midnight velvet vest over a crisp white linen shirt. The top was unlaced, revealing a golden patch of skin. He ran a hand through his damp onyx hair and smiled charmingly, causing Mira’s heart to flip. Her gaze ran over him once more, stopping on his bare feet. Had she interrupted him? He looked like he was getting ready to meet someone.
Gavriel cleared his throat, and she blushed. She’d blatantly ogled him.
Mira schooled her expression and lifted her chin, meeting his violet gaze which had settled thankfully on Isa.
“Long day?” he whispered, stepping away from the door so Mira could enter.
She nodded and moved into the room. It was a replica of Sage’s chambers, except a wee bit smaller. A small fire burned in the hearth on the outer southern wall, bracketed by two sets of exterior doors that led out onto picturesque balconies. Mira turned to the right and blinked at the big, comfy bed. What she wouldn’t give to crawl right into it. She was so tired.
Mira paused her perusal as she noticed a black-and-gold jacket on the bed as well as shiny black boots next to the bed. She grimaced. He was definitely on his way out.
“Where do you want me to lay her down?” she asked, feeling awkward as hell.
Gavriel bustled past her and opened the second door, revealing a small room. She followed him into what she presumed was Isa’s room if she went by the dollies strewn about and a ruffled comforter haphazardly thrown over a small bed. Gav yanked back the covers and Mira padded to his side and carefully lowered the little girl onto her mattress. She brushed Isa’s hair from her face and pecked her on the cheek before moving away so Gav could tuck his daughter in.
Mira walked back into the prince’s chamber and wavered in the middle of the room. Should she stay and talk to him tonight? Or should she wait? Her gaze snagged on a gilded mirror that sat on top of a chunky dresser to her left. Her eyes widened. A sea hag stared back at her.
Her blonde hair was a wild tangle of sea and windblown locks that looked more like ropey serpents. The tops of her cheeks were red from the sun, and she was pretty sure there was sand on her neck.
She quickly brushed at her neck, shooting a panicked look toward Isa’s room. Gavriel would give her hell for primping. A flicker in the mirror caught her attention, and Mira halted her frantic motions to tame her crazy hair.
Lit candles covered almost every surface.
Stars above.
Her stomach dropped. Could she be any stupider? He was clearly planning on entertaining someone, and she hadn’t noticed anything but his handsome self.
Handsome? Those were dangerous thoughts.
Mira backpedaled. She needed to get out of here. Her chest felt too tight, and for some reason she felt like she was going to cry. It was probably from all the excitement of the day. Her hip bumped against a side table, and she cursed, grabbing for the wobbling bottle of wine. She set it to rights and whirled around, planning to escape before he came back out. Their conversation about this afternoon could wait.
“Don’t go yet,” his deep voice called.
The door was so close, only six more steps.
She turned around and held her hands up, a smile frozen on her face as he shut Isa’s door. “It’s been a really long day and I should get back to the infirmary. We can catch up in the morning. It’s no problem, my lord.”
Gavriel’s violet eyes locked on her, and she swore some of the air left the room. It wasn’t fair that he was so attractive. She’d always thought he was nice looking, even when they were kids, but now that he was a man? He was devastating. She’d better be careful or she’d get her heart broken. Her gaze strayed to the wine and small desserts on the side table.
Too late.
“I want to hear how your afternoon was,” he said, walking toward her.
Mira braced herself and watched as he moved to the wine and picked it up. She licked her lips. “You were right. Isa is half fish.” A hysterical giggle escaped, and Mira snapped her mouth shut.
“That she is,” Gav said, popping the cork. He poured two small glasses of wine. “I take it she wore you out?” He picked one goblet up and held it out to her.
“Yes,” she replied. Why was he offering her wine? Was this an apology for being a brute earlier? Mira shook her head. “No, thank you. Too much sun today and not enough food or water.”
He lowered his hand and set the wine on the side table.
She took another step backward to the door, still babbling. “By the way, that is not the case for Isa. She ate almost everything I packed, so you don’t have to worry about her going without her supper. Although, I bet she’ll be starving in the morning.” Her mind went to Isa’s curly hair and grimaced. “I did brush her hair, but I didn’t have a tie to braid it. I’m afraid it’ll be a nightmare to untangle in the morning.”
Gavriel fiddled with the wine glass. “I’m not worried about it. Little girls are allowed to have wild hair.”
Mira chuckled and gestured to her own rat’s nest. “If only that applied to us all. And on that note, I really need to go get cleaned up before I startle someone.” And she needed to get away from Gav.
“Do you want something to eat?”
She took
another step toward the door, shaking her head. “I should really—”
His violet gaze narrowed. “Is it so much for you to give me a moment of your time?”
Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”
Gav looked away, his jaw clenching. “I wanted to speak with you, and you’re practically running away.”
“You want to speak with me now?” she asked, waving a hand toward the jacket on his bed and the candles around the room. “I’m trying to be polite. It’s clear you’re planning on entertaining tonight. I’m trying to leave before your company arrives.” Her belly soured at the thought of meeting the no-doubt mysterious woman on her way out.
He doesn’t take lovers, her right foot. What a liar.
“My company?” he said, mirth filling his tone.
Mira glared at him and placed her hands on her hips. She ignored the salt-encrusted garment that abraded her palms. “Are you laughing at me?”
He chuckled and quickly covered his mouth with his hand as if he could muffle the sound.
“Go ahead and laugh it up. You’re not the one feeling awkward in their swimming costume, looking like a sea witch about to meet your paramour. Sex isn’t everything, my ass.” Mira’s eyes widened, and she snapped her mouth shut. Sometimes she really needed to be quiet.
Gavriel dropped his hand, his smile nowhere to be seen. “Do you really think I would hand you a glass of wine if I planned on having my mistress visit?”
“I don’t really know, my prince. I get to meet a new version of yourself every day it seems.”
He tipped his head back and mumbled, “Why did I think this would be easy?”
Her brows furrowed. What did that mean? Her fingers brushed the doorknob. “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll be going…”
“Why do you have to be so difficult?” he growled, tossing his hands in the air. “I’ve never had a lover, which I’ve told you before. This is all for you, stubborn woman.”
She froze. “What?”
Gavriel sighed and gestured to the room. “I was trying to make this bloody romantic, but you had to ruin it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I should have kept it blunt and simple.” He squared his shoulders like he was preparing for battle and locked eyes with her. “Mira Lemonde, will you marry me?”
A dull ringing filled her ears, and her vision went fuzzy around the edges. This wasn’t happening.
“It’s happening,” Gavriel answered.
Her eyes rounded. She’d said that out loud. Mira stumbled back against the door and used it as support. “Are you playing with me right now?” she croaked.
“No. My offer is quite serious.”
A million questions ran though her mind, but she settled on, “Why?”
“We’ve been friends for a long time, and you know I’ve always been honest with you. I’ve needed to remarry for a while now. It felt impossible to think about it after Emma’s death.” His voice roughened. “I loved her.”
Mira nodded. Emma had been special to them all. “I know.”
“This isn’t the way I planned to go about this. What kind of man talks about his dead wife while proposing?” He gave her a sad smile. “This isn’t about her. It’s about Isa, and you and I. One of my biggest fears over remarrying was finding a mother for Isa. I was terrified that I’d choose the wrong woman.”
Her heart picked up speed. “Was?”
“Was. Isa chose for me today.”
Mira sucked in a lungful of air. “You want to marry me because Isa wants me as a mother?”
“Partly, yes. You’re so good to my daughter. You love her and she loves you.”
“So, you want to marry me?” Her bottom lip trembled, and she was one blink too close to bursting out in tears.
“It’s more than that. We know each other down to the bone. You expressed to me how much you desire a family. I am willing to make one with you.”
“You’re willing,” she murmured. Like he was a martyr.
“I care for you.” She blinked and really focused on his face. Sincerity shone through. “I always have. You’re one of my dearest friends. Most marriages don’t have that.”
Friendship. Not love.
Mira groped for the door behind her and wrenched it open. He took a ground-eating step in her direction, and she held her hand up, stopping Gav in his tracks. Her hand shook, and she curled her fingers into a fist and lowered her hand.
“I—I need time to think about this. I never expected such a proposal.”
“I know it’s sudden.”
“You think?”
Gav cracked a weak smile. “I surprised you for once.”
She mustered a wobbly grin. “That you did, my lord. I’ll get back to you soon.”
Mira fled the room, and practically ran down the corridor. Tears blurred her eyes as she reached the staircase, and she stumbled down two before plopping down. What was he thinking? Gavriel was out of his mind.
Footsteps approached, and she glanced over her left shoulder, ready to tell Gav to get lost when she locked eyes with the king.
“My lord!” she said hastily, wiping at her tears.
Mira tried to stand, but his meaty hand settled on her shoulder and pushed her back down. The monarch settled next to her and stretched his long legs out, his right arm wrapping around her shoulders.
“What’s wrong, Mira?”
“Nothing,” she choked out.
He batted her hands away and wiped some of her tears. “These are not nothing. I’ve seen you cry three times in your life, tumbleweed.”
More heat filled her eyes at the nickname. Marq had always treated her like family. “Just overwhelmed, I suppose.”
“I see. Bad day?”
“Not sure,” she sniffed.
The king hugged her. “Do I need to hurt anyone?”
Mira gave a watery laugh. “Not sure.”
He squeezed her right shoulder and released her, leaning back against the stairs. “So what troubles you? I’m a good listener, you know.”
“Have you ever had to choose between love and duty?” she whispered.
“Unfortunately, yes. It’s not a good feeling.”
Mira closed her eyes and hung her head. “I turned down a marriage proposal.”
“Ah, I see. Does this happen to have anything to do with that Methian prince?” the king asked softly.
She snorted, opening her eyes. “Queen Osir has been talking to you.”
“She mentioned a thing or two. Did you love him?”
“As a friend. I think I could have loved him if given the chance, but I couldn’t give him what he needed.” Mira swallowed hard, and her bottom lip trembled. “Do you remember my accident? I cannot bear children, or at least Papa seems to think the chances are very, very low of conceiving.” Shame washed over her.
She squeaked when the king pulled her into a bear hug.
“Tumbleweed, I’m so sorry.”
“Every time I think of it, my heart hurts so badly that I can barely breathe. Everyone I know is having children and I’m… alone.” But you don’t have to be. “Is it wrong to be tempted to enter into a marriage of convenience?”
“People marry for many different reasons. May I ask… are you still speaking of Raz?”
“No,” she whispered. “Is that horrible of me?”
“It is not as long as you’re not using the other person. If you both go into it with open eyes, there is nothing wrong.” The king sighed. “Would you not rather wait until you find someone you love?”
“Who would love me?” she joked. “I spend more time in the infirmary than I do in my own chambers. I rarely dress in anything but simple dresses and braids, and I cannot do the one thing a woman is designed to do.”
Marq released her and clasped her cheeks between his hands, making sure she looked him in the eyes.
“You listen here, Mira Lemonde. Being able to carry children does not define your worth as a human being. Being devoted to you
r craft does not mean you do not deserve love. You are precious.”
More tears ran down her face. “You are too good to me, sire.”
He shook his head. “And you’re too hard on yourself. You always have been. You’ve grown into an extraordinary woman. All you have to do is start believing in yourself.”
She swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll try.”
“I will, my lord, is what I want to hear from you.”
“I will, my lord.”
“That’s better,” the king said. He pulled away and reached into his pocket, producing a hanky. He held it out to her. “My lady.”
Mira snorted and took it from him, wiping at her face. “I am anything but a lady. The things I’ve seen…” She whistled. “I’m surprised it hasn’t put hair on my chest.”
Marq released a booming laugh and brought a smile to her chapped face. His mirth was infectious. He slowly stood and rubbed at his backside. “I’m getting too old for sitting on stone steps.” He held his hand out for her. “Shall we go visit your father? I think he has a new dram for me.”
She took the monarch’s outstretched hand and let him steer her down the staircase. “By dram, you mean the new spirits he’s brewing at the back that he doesn’t think I know about?”
The king slid a sly look in her direction. “You’re too smart for your own good, tumbleweed.”
Chapter 13
Gav
Two days later
She hadn’t come to him yet.
Gavriel fidgeted in his chair, his attention locked on the patterned fabric of the arm of the furniture. He traced the edge of a dull looking flower and frowned as Sam and Tehl bickered.
Mira hadn’t reacted in the way he expected. Sure, he didn’t think she’d have leapt for joy, but he hadn’t thought she’d flee from him.
Or to find her crying on the stairs.
The king had beaten him there. Gav had not wanted to interrupt, so he’d eavesdropped like a common servant. He shouldn’t have. Mira revealed a secret he had no right to know until she told him herself.