Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Elena’s voice coming from behind him made him turn.
And he instantly arrested.
His princess was moving gracefully into the room wearing a gown the color of heather. The skirt fell to cover her feet and it looked made of delicate netting. The same drifted from her shoulders in short sleeves that were reminiscent of pixie wings. The bodice exposed a demure vee at the chest that was not so demure it did not expose a hint of cleavage and was covered in a delicate applique that also rounded the waist and streamed partially into the top of the skirt.
Her hair was arranged in soft curls pinned to the back of her neck.
But threaded through it at her forehead was her Nadirii band.
At her side, and holding her hand, was Domitia.
And trailing her was Cornelia.
They, too, had donned gowns much different than the garments they normally wore. More Dellish, but not quite. Although diaphanous, they were not flimsy.
Instead of artlessness, for Cornelia, there was a sophistication.
Though, Domitia’s had an air of innocence.
Neither of them wore the harsh paint of Airenzian upperclass women.
Though they were painted, just far more subtly.
As, he saw, was his warrior.
And yes.
His future wife was most clever.
Jazz and Hera followed, as did Hera’s lover, Rosehana.
They wore their Nadirii tunics, battle-ready.
Also battle-ready were Mac, Ian, Rus, Tone and Nero.
“Mac, you’ll be on the dais on Cass’s left side. I will be on his right. Jazz and Hera will be beside and behind me,” she went on to command. “Nero guarding Gallienus. Ian and Antonius, I want you behind the settee where Domitia and Cornelia will sit. Rose and Severus will be at the back, keeping an eye from there. I will also ask you both to patrol but not appear as if you’re patrolling. Just keep your eye on things.”
She (and Domitia) had come to stand beside Cassius.
“What are you wearing?” he asked.
She tipped her head to look up at him.
“A gown,” she answered.
“Why are you not in your Nadirii gear?” he inquired.
“Because I am the future queen of this realm and the people of this realm need to look upon me as conventional and approachable, something they will not consider me if I have a sword at my back, a dagger at my belt, and my quiver at the ready. If I appear like that, I will seem to be hostile, which I am not. Except to your father.” She pressed her arse back a bit as she lifted a filmy layer of her skirts out to the side, gazing down at it, and finished, “And I quite like this gown.”
He quite liked it too.
Quite.
Even so…
“Elena,” he called.
She righted herself and again gave him her gaze.
“I think, my princess, you should be you,” he advised.
“I am me,” she returned. “Just wearing a gown.”
“Elena—”
“There has been much change expected of all citizens of Airen since your return, Cassius. And many may think this is because of me. Therefore, it would be wise if they see a change in me as well. They need to understand the balance we will have, something they too will enjoy.”
He could say no more for she was not wrong.
His attention turned to Domitia, who was still standing at Elena’s side, holding her hand.
“You are ready for this, Domitia?” he asked quietly.
She started when her name was said, and she looked at him.
She then nodded unconvincingly.
“I will ask you to say your words and then Ian will escort you from the room.” He included Cornelia in his gaze. “The both of you.”
“I-I can stay,” Domitia said, casting a quick glance to Elena.
Elena nodded encouragingly.
“That would be most brave,” Cassius told her gently. “However, I wish you to know you don’t have to if you don’t wish. Ian will be ready to escort you out.”
“I will stay,” Domitia replied, struggling to lift her chin and square her shoulders.
But in the end, she did it.
“I will wait to see him sentenced,” Cornelia stated.
The fact she spoke at all caused Cassius some surprise, for he had never known any of his father’s wives to be communicative, outside Horatia speaking for them all when the occasion arose, and thus he regarded Cornelia a moment before he looked to Elena.
She gave him a slight nod.
He again turned to Cornelia. “I am sorry you must endure this, for I am certain this will be difficult for you.”
“This will be the easiest thing I’ll have endured in my marriage,” she replied.
He hated to hear it, but he had little doubt.
He had not protected these women. He had lived amongst them and been so deep in his own grief, wallowing in self-pity, he had done naught to help them.
“I am sorry that I did not—” he began, his eyes moving between them both.
“He hates you,” Cornelia declared.
Cassius fell silent at hearing words said out loud he knew to the depths of his soul.