Page 51 of Striking
“Up you go. We’ve got work to do before your meeting today because you are never again allowed to leave the house dressed like...”—her finger circles me as she shakes her head—“well, dressed like that.”
“I was going to change,” I murmur defensively.
“Perfect. Let’s get you ready to make your debut, Your Highness.”
Joss isn’t just good. She’s incredible.
I still look like myself but better. Elegant.
Subtle makeup manages to highlight my features without hiding my face behind layers of heavy foundation. My hair is down in sleek waves, and the black cashmere sweater and skirt still let me feel like myself, not a little girl playing dress-up. A long Chanel necklace and pink Louboutin heels bring everything together in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever looked before. Polished.
And when Rhys steps into my room right on time, the exhaustion in his eyes immediately morphs into something else. Something that looks an awful lot like desire. He runs a thumbgently along my jaw as heat grows in his gaze. “You sure you’re ready for this?”
“Not even a little.” I cover his hand with mine, knowing if I’m going to demand the truth from him, I need to be able to give it myself. “But this is what we have to do, right?”
He ghosts his lips over mine. “Smart and beautiful.”
“If you say so,Your Highness.” I press up on my toes and wrap my arms around his strong shoulders. “But if I was so smart, I’m not sure we’d be married.”
“I’m not so sure about that, love. I think marrying you may just have been the smartest thing I’ve ever done.” Rhys presses his big palm against the small of my back, holding me against him. “Will you go with me somewhere after the meeting?”
“If it’s the Seven Swords, I’m not sure I’m ready to go back there just yet,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.
“Not the Seven Swords. Just something I like to do. Typically, I go alone, but I think you’d enjoy it. Do you trust me?” Rhys’s beautiful blue eyes beg me to say yes, and I’m quickly learning I don’t want to tell this man no.
Do I love this man? That’s not an easy answer.
Do I think I could? Yes. I think it’s going to be hard not to fall in love with him. With the way I feel when I’m with him. With his big heart and big brain.
Do I trust him? That’s an easier answer.
“I trust you.” The words are quiet but powerful.
They’re my truth.
His eyes close for a moment, like I just gave him a peace he’d been searching for, and Atticus’s words from earlier play over in my mind.
I’ve always wanted to be a nurse.
Helping people is part of who I am. Taking care of them. Easing their pain.
I thought I’d be able to do that in a different way with the foundation. Now I’m realizing that maybe... just maybe, I’ll be able to do that for my husband as well.
When his eyes open, there’s a look there I haven’t seen before.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you, Bellamy. I promise you that.” He takes my hand in his, and that wave of electricity that always seems to spark between us sizzles along my skin. “It’s time, love.”
I guess it is.
I send up a silent prayer that this meeting goes better than I’m expecting.
So much for better than I was hoping.
This is worse.
So much worse.
“Are you out of your mind?” The loudest, angriest, hairiest council member yells across the long table in what Rhys called the high-council chamber. Apparently, according to tradition, only high-council members are allowed in this room. And from the looks of it, it hasn’t been redecorated in over a century. I’m expecting someone to walk in and yell,Off with her head!at any moment. “You cannot do this, Your Highness.”
