“I know.” He pulled her into his arms again. “Hopefully it will never come to that.”
“Hopefully not.” Right now, she didn’t know what anything was going to come to. In the two days since she had informed Stephen of her decision, she had developed a new appreciation of an aspect of this world that she’d sort of been aware of, but had never really understood.
Things happened slowly here.
Last night, Ellen and Charles and the crew they were traveling with had finally arrived at the castle, but Quinn hadn’t seen any of them yet. And if she was being totally honest with herself, she was out here mainly to work off her nervous energy at the prospect of encountering her aunt and uncle for the first time since finding out who they were. Actually, she would be meeting Charles, her father’s oldest brother, for the very first time.
Avoiding her mother was only a secondary benefit.
Things hadn’t improved much between her and her mom in the last two days. They’d tried talking several times, but anytime they went deeper than sharing niceties at mealtimes, the same main argument would break out over other small issues. Last night, when she’d tried to spend some time with her mom after dinner, it had become about her birthday.
“You really think you’re just going to stay here?” her mom had said. “What about celebrating your birthday? Richard and Denise are planning on driving up from Denver this weekend.”
Celebrating her birthday was the farthest thing from Quinn’s mind. Nobody knew enough about how the time between the two worlds worked to be able to pinpoint what her exact birthday would be in this world. Charlotte had told her she could pick whatever day she liked, but she didn’t think a birthday was all that important right now. Clearly, though, it was important to her mother. “I can have a birthday party here, mom. I can celebrate with you before you leave,” she’d said, mostly to placate Megan.
It hadn’t been what her mom wanted to hear, though, and Quinn had ended up retreating to her room well before bedtime.
“You know, Quinn, your mother is going to keep treating you like a child for as long as you’re acting like one,” Linnea’s voice sliced into her reverie.
“How exactly am I doing that, Nay? If anyone is acting like a child here, she is.”
“She’s not out here hiding from you.”
“I’m not hiding. She could ask anyone where I am – she could come out here if she wanted to.”
Linnea shrugged. “She really doesn’t know how serious you are. She’s still using her anger to try to convince you to see things her way, where you’ll be at home with her and you have time to work all of these things out. But you know better – and you’re wasting it. You’re letting the fact that she’s not happy about it get in the way of this time you could be having together. It’s hard for you, and you’re acting on your emotions. If you want her to see you as an adult, then you need to act on your truth, no matter how hard it is.”
Quinn sighed. William squeezed her shoulder gently, though he stayed silent beside her. Thomas started stacking the practice knives back into their crate. “How do I do that, Linnea?”
“For starters, you could stop hiding things from her. Last time I checked, adults tell their families when they decide to get married.”
“She is not ready to hear that, Linnea!”
“This is what I’m telling you. It’s not about what you think she’s ready to hear or not hear. It’s about what the truth is, and what you’re excluding her from. If you’re enough of an adult to make that decision, then you’re enough of one to tell your mother. And, honestly, William,” she looked up at her brother, “that goes for you, too. This is not something that should be secret.”
Without waiting for a response, Linnea turned and started walking back toward the castle.
Thomas stared, wide-eyed at her retreating form for several seconds. “I guess I’ll go talk to her,” he said, making his own awkward exit.
It took Quinn a long moment before she could compose herself enough to look at William. She knew her cheeks were pink.
He looked a little taken aback, too, but he managed a small smile. “I tried to warn you about her.”
Her chest relaxed as she started breathing again. “She’s your sister.”
“I take no responsibility for that,” he said, holding his hands up in the air.
Quinn chuckled. “I suppose I can’t hold it against you.”
He put his arms around her and pulled her close to his chest. “You okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine – I’m just trying to wrap my mind around everything she said.”
“Yeah.”
“She’s right, isn’t she?”
William took a deep breath, and then he nodded. “I think she probably is.”
Pulling away from him, Quinn paced back and forth for a few minutes, suddenly very nervous, though she didn’t understand why. Finally, she went and sat down on one of the hay bales. William watched her for a long moment before coming to sit down beside her.
“Are you really sure it’s what you want?” His voice wobbled, and she realized that he was just as nervous about this conversation as she was – maybe more. She sighed, Linnea was right – she wasn’t acting like an adult – she wasn’t really owning her decisions, and that was going to hurt everyone.
She took his hand in hers. “Yes, Will. I told you when I said yes that I was sure. And I’m sorry that I haven’t been acting like I meant it. She’s right. This shouldn’t be a secret – this should be huge, happy news. That is – if you’re sure it’s what you want.”
He didn’t answer her right away. Instead, he stood up and took a step back, sending her heart plummeting into the depths of her stomach. Oh no…
But then she realized that he was fishing in his pocket, and before she had time to think about why, he was dropping down on one knee on the ground in front of her. Suddenly, her heart was back where it belonged, but racing like a hummingbird.
“Quinn Katriel Robbins Rose I love you. I think I might have loved you the first moment I saw that you’d actually followed me through the gate, maybe even before that, I don’t know. But whenever it started – I know where I want it to end – somewhere on the other side of forever. And I promise I will love you, and stay with you, and support you in your decisions, and even make some of them with you . . . if only you will agree to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
It didn’t matter that he’d already asked – that they’d already agreed. Tears streamed down her face, obstructing her view of the little purple silk drawstring bag he placed in her hand. Both of their fingers were shaking enough that they had to work together to untie the little ribbon at the top, which made her giggle enough to stop some of the tears, so that her eyes were clear when he turned the bag over and the little ring fell into her hand.
“Diamonds aren’t really a thing here,” he said apologetically as she held it up to examine it. “I didn’t have any way to . . .”
“Shh . . .” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.” And it was. A delicate rope of gold braided around an identical line of silver – the colors of their kingdoms intertwined, making one precious whole. “It’s perfect.”
“This finger, right?” he asked, stroking the ring finger of her left hand, reminding her of just how much thought he’d put into this – into giving her a proposal and a ring the way it might have someday happened in her world, even though he didn’t know much about it. Her other world she thought now – somehow this world had come to feel just as much like home as Earth. Maybe even more so, since this was the one she’d chosen.
She nodded, and he slipped the ring onto her finger, kissing it gently before he stood again, pulling her up into his arms.
He kissed her mouth then, a long, slow, deep kiss that was filled with emotion from both of them. A kiss that made her feel safe and cherished and hopeful. One that let her know that no matter how difficult it was going to be to share their news, in the end, it would be worth it.
She wasn’t sure how she was ever going to pull the rest of this off – fighting a war, taking a throne in a kingdom she knew nothing about – but this part, with William, she could do.
“So what do we do now?” she asked, when he finally pulled away.
“I guess we go and tell our families. I think we should probably tell your mother first – it’s only right, since I didn’t ask her. And I don’t think it would be good if she found out from someone else.”
She was nodding when she was startled by the sound of someone clearing his throat.
They both turned around to see Nathaniel standing there, looking uncomfortable. And he wasn’t alone. Standing next to him, immediately familiar from the trip she’d taken to Philotheum, was Lady Ellen Fisher – her aunt. Quinn’s face grew very hot again as she wondered how long they had been there.
“Sorry,” he said, “I didn’t mean to interrupt . . . I just . . . Quinn, you remember Ellen.”
“Yeah. I mean, yes, of course I do.” She walked up to them and extended her hand. It’s lovely to see you again.”
“And you as well, my dear.”
“Did your journey go well?”
She saw Ellen steal a glance at Nathaniel before she answered, but her expression didn’t change as she answered Quinn. “Yes, it was fine, thank you.”
Nathaniel, though, never noticed his sister’s hesitation. His eyes were locked on Quinn’s left hand. She quickly hid it behind her back.
“Did I just . . . sorry,” Nathaniel was clearly flustered. “Quinn, we were looking for you. Charles would very much like to meet you. Also, Andrew and Natalie Gramble traveled here with us, and they’re anxious to see both of you again.”
“Oh!” William said. “How are they doing?”
“They’re quite well,” Ellen answered. “They would like to thank you again, William.”
“Do they have the baby with them?” William asked.
“Yes, they do.” Ellen gave Nathaniel another surreptitious glance, but this one was different . . . almost…pleasant?
Andrew and Natalie had been with them the afternoon that William and Quinn had spent locked in Ellen’s basement in Philotheum, and that was when Natalie had gone into labor. William had delivered their little girl – the first and only baby he’d delivered on his own. Quinn had often thought about the young couple and wondered how they were doing.
William had obviously wondered, too. She could tell he was intrigued, and happy at the idea of seeing them again.
“Are you ready, Quinn?” Nathaniel asked. “Is now a good time?”
No, she wasn’t ready, but she wouldn’t be ready later, either – would never be ready. She was just going to have to do it. She nodded.
As they all started walking back to the castle, Nathaniel hung back slightly, positioning himself just behind Quinn. She felt her face grow hot again as he studied her hand.
“Is that what I think it is?” he asked quietly, when he finally looked up to meet her eyes.
She looked down at her hand, running her finger along the braided silver and gold, unable to look at him as she answered. “Yes.”
She heard him let out a breath, but she still couldn’t bring herself to look and see his reaction. Her heart was pounding, and her hands had started shaking when she suddenly felt Nathaniel’s hand on her shoulder, and then his mouth was near her ear. “I couldn’t be happier, sweetheart.”
She looked up at him in surprise.
“Does anyone else know?” he whispered.
She shook her head.
“I won’t tell.”
Just then, William looked back and frowned as he tried to decipher their quiet communication. Then he smiled and paused, falling into step with Quinn, and taking her hand. Nathaniel reached across Quinn and squeezed William’s shoulder as they reached the back entrance of the castle.
* * *
Inside the castle, they followed Nathaniel up the stairs to the guest wing. William was a little surprised that they weren’t going to his father’s office or council room, but then he thought that this might go better in a less formal setting. He knew Quinn was nervous. Her hand was sweaty inside his, and it wasn’t all from the fact that Nathaniel had just discovered their secret. As they reached the top of the stairs, her hand only grew colder and damper.
He squeezed her hand as they approached the door of one of the guest suites. She took a deep breath, and in the next instant, her whole demeanor changed. Although her hand trembled slightly now, the rest of her looked calm and collected. She almost looked taller to him as Nathaniel knocked on the door and then turned the knob.
William had been expecting to see everyone in the room, but only one man was in there with his father. He stood when they entered, looking like an older and more muscular version of Nathaniel.
“Quinn, William, I would like you to meet my brother, Charles,” Nathaniel said.
“Hello Lady Quinn,” Charles said.
Quinn sucked in a breath as soon as he spoke, but William didn’t think anyone else noticed. She didn’t hesitate with her response. “Hello, Prince Charles. It’s nice to meet you.”
“And you as well.” Charles studied her face for a long moment before he held his hand out toward the couch. “Would you two like to come have a seat?” Charles was eyeing William warily, and he realized that it probably was a little odd that he was being included in this meeting, especially when nobody else knew just how serious his relationship with Quinn was.
Everyone was silent for what felt like a very long time as the rest of them took their seats, Nathaniel and Stephen in chairs that flanked one couch, and Charles and Ellen on a sofa facing them.
It was Ellen who spoke first. “So, Quinn, you’ve learned a lot about yourself since you and I first met.”
“More than I could have imagined, yes.”
“Nathaniel tells us you’ve decided to step in and take the throne. Are you sure you’re prepared for that?” Charles broke in without hesitation.
William stiffened a little at Charles’ tone, but Quinn didn’t miss a beat. “I’m as prepared as it’s possible to be, given the circumstances. It’s not a decision I ever expected to have to make, and I didn’t make it lightly, but it is what I have decided, yes.”
“And you understand what we’re up against?”
She shook her head. “Not all of it, no. That’s something I’m going to need help and support with – I’d like to know that I have that from all of you.”
Charles raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ellen.
Quinn’s chest rose and fell as she inhaled deeply before she spoke. “I know we don’t really know each other, and that this is hard for everyone. I want you to know that I didn’t come here with the intention of undoing everything you’ve worked for, or to take over everything from you.”
“Then what is your intention?” Charles asked. “Why should we trust you?”
“Maybe you shouldn’t. I don’t know what I could say to convince you. I know my father ran away and left you to deal with this instead of fighting to make things right. My intention is to stay and try to make things right, if I can.”
“And how do we know you won’t just run off and leave if things get too difficult?” Ellen asked.
Quinn’s body tensed, but she maintained eye contact. “The only thing I can give you is my word. I can tell you that I fully intend to see this through.” She pulled back the collar of her shirt to reveal her tattoo.
Charles’ eyes widened just a little. He looked at Ellen, and she nodded, before turning back toward them.
“And what of you, Prince William? Are you prepared for all of this?”
He pulled back his own collar.
Ellen nodded again. “And to marry Quinn?”
William nearly choked on his spit. “Excuse me?”
“Surely you’re both aware that the best chance we have at ousting Tolliver is for you to fulfill the prophecy yourselves – unite the kingdoms through marriage, and assume th
e Philothean throne. To do that, Quinn needs to marry one of you, and I assumed it was going to be you, since you’re courting.” She looked pointedly at William’s courtship bracelet.
Beside him, Quinn had gone completely rigid, and he felt a little sick. Of course Ellen was right – but that wasn’t why he’d asked Quinn to marry him. He honestly hadn’t even considered the political aspect of it. So much for telling her mother first.
He turned to Quinn, searching her expression. She looked mortified, and there was some other emotion underneath that, too – anger? fear, maybe? – But she gave him a single nod.
“Yes, Ellen. We hadn’t shared the news with anyone yet, but Quinn and I are betrothed.”
He felt his father’s eyes boring into him, but he couldn’t bring himself to look.
“Well, then, it sounds like congratulations are in order,” Charles said. “I’m happy for you both.”
“Yes,” Nathaniel said, before William had the chance to respond. “It’s very good news. Now, you’ve had your chance to meet with Quinn, and to voice your concerns. I’m sure it’s been a long day for both of you already, and you’d like to have some time to settle in before dinner.” He stood, and William immediately followed his lead. He extended his hand to Quinn in a way that he hoped looked like he was only being polite in helping her up, but really he was trying to whisk her out of the room as quickly as possible before they said something worse.
Stephen followed them into the hall. “Find Charlotte for me, please, Nathaniel? Ask her to meet us in Quinn’s room.”
Nathaniel nodded and disappeared down the hall. William held Quinn’s hand tightly as they walked to her room.
* * *
Quinn was still in shock as she and William followed Stephen into her room, and he closed the door behind them. She couldn’t tell if Stephen was upset. She was sort of upset herself. This wasn’t why William had proposed to her now, was it? Just so they could fulfill the prophecy? She didn’t think so, but an uneasy feeling had settled in the pit of her stomach. Was she really just a pawn in their political game?
Blooms of Consequence (Dusk Gate Chronicles - Book Four) Page 14