Page 34 of Queen’s Gambit

‘As long as I can talk to him,’ she added with a deep sigh.

The thunder of footsteps startled me, and a moment later the door burst open. On instinct I moved between the doorway and the bed, ready to shield Lily with my own body if her husband tried to claim her.

‘What happened?’ Rey shouted, eyeing the chaos confronting him.

‘I redecorated,’ I blurted, shrinking under the fury in his gaze. The golden ring in his eye expanded. I crossed my arms over my chest as if creating a barrier could save me. ‘We need new furniture and flooring, but for now I’d appreciate it if you’d tame your Wild Magic and hold me…’ My voice wobbled. I wasn’t sure if I could handle anything more, not after what I’d just endured.

‘Everybody out! Now!’ he commanded through gritted teeth.

‘Lily stays here, and Irsha too.’ I lifted my chin, ready to fight him. Behind me, Danka curtsied.

‘I’ll ready a spare room for you,’ she murmured, slipping out. Alaric and Tova shared a silent look, then followed. It was just Rey and me, with Irsha cradling an exhausted Lily in the bed.

Reynard frowned, and the next thing I knew, his arms encircled me, crushing me to the point I could barely breathe. When I finally managed a breath, the scent of cedarwood filled my lungs with its calming essence.

‘Please don’t let go. I need you,’ I whispered. I swallowed my tears as the strength that had kept me going faded in his presence. Rey kissed my hair, breathing me in as his muscles relaxed a notch.

‘Never. I’m sorry for shouting. Cinared went berserk mid-air, almost breaking his wings to get here.’ He stroked my back. ‘His thoughts were a jumbled mess, something about an Aether flux, Gods, and that we were going to lose you. I think I accidentally won the race because of you.’

‘I almost killed Lily,’ I muttered, tightening my fists around his riding leathers.

Reynard’s head snapped towards the bed, where Irsha sent him an apologetic nod.

‘She is more alive than earlier, although I’m curious why she’s cosying up with the Grand Master in our marital bed.’ Rey smiled and brushed a stray lock of my hair. ‘I’m glad she’s back. Whatever happened, I’ll support you. Is Niersen still alive?’

‘Not for long,’ Irsha answered, causing Rey to sigh.

‘Fine, then please wait till after the ball.’

‘Lily will talk to the Lumivitae prince. Niersen is conspiring against him,’ I added.

‘Later, Viper. Everybody is too worked up for politics,’ Rey said with a smile. ‘Come on. I promised Cin you’d sleep in his lair tonight, and after your redecoration this might be your best option for a good night’s rest.’

‘You promised what? For me to sleep where? There is no time for this. What about Niersen? He won’t just take it.’ I stared at him, stunned. I wasn’t objecting to spending the night in the dragon’s lair, but Lily’s husband was still at large, and I didn’t trust him to idly sit by after we broke his geas.

‘I’ll handle Niersen. Will that be enough of an apology for assuming you’d agree? I’m sorry, Sana. There wasn’t time to ask, but knowing how you feel for Cin, I hoped you wouldn’t mind.’ Rey placed my hand on his forearm and led me to the door.

‘I don’t object, but I’m worried…’ I looked back at the bed. ‘Fine. Maybe it’s better this way. Today was difficult for everyone, and if this helps Cin, I’ll happily agree.’

Rey gestured towards the door. We sneaked through the palace like ghosts using hidden passages only a few knew. I was curious about my new sleeping arrangements as I’d never been in Cinared’s grotto.

A bitter wind buffeted us as soon as we stepped outside. I wrapped my arms around my torso, trying to stop the shiver. ‘Just in case, ask Danka to bring a handful of warm blankets.’

Rey removed his cloak and wrapped it around my shoulders. He paused, his brow furrowing.

‘I used a Void Cube on the Wind Master. He’ll stop the Tangrian ships now,’ he said as if activating such a deadly device were nothing.

I stopped, turning to stare at him. When did Rey become so ruthless?

‘What have we become?’ I asked the evening sky.

‘The monsters this world needs to keep it safe,’ he said, and something cold landed around my neck. I flinched and grasped the heavy pendant. An emerald stone wrapped in a golden basket shone with a soft, welcoming light.

‘What is this?’ It felt familiar, warm to the touch, and stirred something deep inside me.

‘Boyan gave it to me. The stone belonged to your mother, so I made it into a necklace. Your father said he’d kept it hidden, that he took Dobra’s wings.’ Rey’s jaw tightened, and he ran his hand through his hair—a tic I’d learned was a sign of his turbulent emotions. ‘I don’t want to keep you caged. Not when war is coming, not ever. I don’t know what this stone does or what it means, only that Boyan feared his love would leave him if he ever returned it.’

‘Yet you’re giving it to me.’ I placed a hand on his cheek, forcing him to look me in the eye. ‘I’ll never leave you. If the world demands we become monsters, I’ll stand beside you when it turns on us. I love you, Reynard Erenhart, and you just proved how worthy you are of my heart.’