Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Huntley stared at the floor for a while, his stony expression identical to the stone keep.
She waited, as if she knew that wasn’t the end of it.
“You’re right,” he whispered. “I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m asking you to do.”
Despite her clothing and her confidence, she didn’t look like the queen anymore. She was just a mother.
“But you’re the most inspiring person I’ve ever known…and you’re a hell of a lot stronger than me.” He raised his head and looked her in the eye. “I think you could…if you tried.” With that, he stepped away, ending the conversation by turning his back on her.
She watched him walk away, her eyes not sharp with authority, but soft with vulnerability. She stared at him as he looked out the window, studied him like she saw him in a brand-new light. Then her eyes flicked to me.
Every muscle in my body tightened once I was the recipient of that stare.
She didn’t ask me to approach, but I walked over her to her anyway, following a command that was never given.
Her expression was different now, not soft and vulnerable like it was for her son. But it wasn’t callous either. “I never properly thanked you for what you’ve done for HeartHolme and all the people I’ve vowed to protect. I would have fought until my dying breath like we had a chance, but deep in my heart, I knew we never did. Because of your unique abilities, you were able not only to heal the dragons, but to convince them to help us in this fight, and you’ve managed to earn my son’s heart…a man who’s always been heartless. You’ve earned my respect—and it’s time that I give it.”
Rendered speechless, I didn’t know what to say.
“All I’ve ever wanted for Huntley is a woman who can hold her own, a woman who does more than birth his children. A woman who will take up a sword and defend her family just the way he would. And that’s exactly what you are.”
Honestly, that was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me, and it meant a lot more coming from somebody like her.
“I hope you can find it in your heart to accept my apology, but if you can’t, I understand.”
All the animosity I felt toward her disappeared instantly. I’d always hated her as a person but admired her as a queen. But now, I admired her as both. It took a lot to admit shortcomings, especially for someone who never had to admit anything at all. “Of course I do.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, showing the same look of surprise that Huntley showed on occasion.
“My husband is the man of my dreams because of you.”
Her eyes narrowed a little more, this time with a contraction of emotion.
“I admire you as both a mother and a queen—and I’m honored to serve you.”
Her chest rose with the deep breath she took, and all her rigid majesty disappeared. She looked at me the way she looked at her sons, with a twinge of vulnerability, with a dash of emotion. “Thank you, Ivory.”
I backed away and looked at Huntley by the window.
He was leaning against it, arms across his chest, a slight smile on his lips. He pushed off the wall with his hips and approached his mother with his arms by his sides.
Queen Rolfe didn’t look at him, as if it was too much for her.
He continued to stare down at her, his eyes affectionate the way they were for me sometimes. “What did I tell you?” His arm circled her shoulders, and he drew her in closer. “Knew you’d like her.”
The smile spread to her lips.
“Thank you.” He kissed her on the hairline before he released her. “Love you.”
Her eyes softened altogether as she gazed at her son, giving him a look of love that my mother used to give me. “Love you too, my boy.”
39
RYKER
I opened the door to the servants on the other side. They carried two trays of dinner, just as I asked them to do every night for the foreseeable future. I didn’t let them into my bedroom to set up at the dining table anymore. Just took the food and shut them out. I balanced both trays and carried them to the dining table.
Effie was in one of my long-sleeved shirts, her hair slightly damp from the shower she’d just taken. “They must know you have someone living in here.”
“I’m sure they do.” I set everything down and opened a bottle of wine.
“Won’t that information make it back to your father?”
I poured the two glasses then recorked the wine. “Don’t care if it does.”
“He would just be fine with it?”
“I don’t care who sleeps in his bed, and he doesn’t care who sleeps in mine.” I took a seat and dropped the linen in my lap.