Page 87 of Once Upon a Blossom's Curse
I smile back, knowing how difficult these changes have been for her, especially with how occupied my time has become. “Thank you, Astoria. I only wish Mari could have been here with us.”
She shrugs. “She seems happy enough. I think the change has been good for her. She says Mother is doing better too. Perhaps removing them both from court will allow them to find their own happiness.”
“I hope so. I want Mari to be able to return to society someday. It would be cruel for her to spend her entire life in exile.”
Gabe approaches, interrupting our conversation. “Are you speaking of my own forced exile to Icelantica? I’d much prefer the sunshine Mari is getting.”
Iscoff. “Oh, brother, do you forget you made that decision yourself? Is Queen Kalise still insistent on not receiving you until this winter?”
“Yes. We’re exchanging correspondence on the subject. It’s riveting,” he says with all the boredom he can muster.
“And you still hate her?” I ask.
“Despise her. She’s horrible. At least once the railway is finished, I’ll be able to travel quickly back to Crawford and indulge in some actual culture. Did you know they consider standing next to a hole in the ice, hoping a fish goes by,entertainment? At least they’re known for their generous pours of spirits on cold nights.”
“I think you’ll do just fine there, Gabe,” I reply, laughing as I make my way toward Kieran. He’s gorgeous in his silk evening suit, fitted to accentuate his broad shoulders and strong physique. It still catches me off guard to realize he’s actually mine—that the man I thought I’d lost forever is now my husband.
As if sensing my eyes on him, he turns, shamelessly letting his gaze roam over me. It’s indecent, really, to behave like that in front of the court, but I don’t object. Perhaps it’s for the best, letting go of Naseria’s obsession with decency and propriety in public.
And that’s exactly what I do as he pulls me into his arms, a herald announcing our first song as Queen and King Consort of Naseria.
I reach for his face, bringing his lips to mine in a long, languorous kiss that is probably scandalizing half the room. But I don’t care, because the man I once thought lost to me is mine forever.
