Page 112 of The Shadows Between Us
“But this isn’t just about me. It’s about you, too, and I’ve been trying to think of what this arrangement could offer you. We’ve already talked about the invitations to parties and balls. I promise to start attending with you. I want you to join me in all of my meetings—”
That has me looking away from the walls instantly.
Seeing that he has my full attention now, he continues, “I want you by my side, helping me make decisions for the kingdom. I want you to help me conquer the last three kingdoms in this vast world. I want you to be my equal, Alessandra. My queen. You would have power. A guard of your own. We would talk before making decisions. We would get thecouncil off my back once and for all, and you would be free from your family. You’d of course have access to the treasury and the kingdom’s funds. You wouldn’t be without your own means.”
Equal power. Rule the kingdom…withhim?
That means—
I wouldn’t have to kill him. He’ll give me everything I want, and I won’t have to get rid of him. My friend and companion.
But what about… more?
I swallow. “You want me to be your queen. But in name only. Is that right?”
Kallias loses his voice as he searches my face for something. “That’s right. We would be married. So it would be official. But you’ll keep your quarters, and I’ll keep mine. No one would ever need know we don’t consummate the marriage. Very few know the reason why I can’t touch people. Most won’t be able to tell whether we’re intimate.”
This is it. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. He’s offering me the world.
He’s just not offering me himself with it.
When did I start to want that?
A rough knock raps on the door.
“Go away!” Kallias says, never taking his eyes from me.
“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty”—I recognize Epaphras, the appointment keeper, as the owner of the voice on the other side of the door—“but you wished to be informed immediately if Baron Drivas came to the palace. He was quite forceful, and the guards had to restrain him. He’s also accompanied by a constable.”
My breath leaves me at the knowledge that Hektor’s father is in the palace.
Kallias turns to me. “Why would the baron bring a constable into the matter of trying to get you to marry one of his sons? Did you sign some sort of contract with him?”
I swallow. “No, I didn’t.”
“This is ridiculous,” he says to himself. “Epaphras, have the guards send them up. Let’s deal with this immediately.”
“Of course, sire.”
I feel my stomach sink beneath the floorboards. “Must we?”
“You don’t have to remain here. I can scare off the baron on my own, but this harassment of you is ridiculous. I should have dealt with it the moment you brought it to my attention.”
“I’ll stay,” I say feebly, thinking of no way to delay this moment. Or to get out of it. I should have quickly said I’d marry Kallias, though I don’t know that that would have offered me any more protection for what’s about to happen.
The door opens minutes later. The guards surround two figures. One, I recognize as Faustus Galanis, Hektor’s father. The woman with him must be the previously mentioned constable.
“Your Majesty,” Faustus says. “At last! I’ve been attempting—”
“You will not speak until I allow it,” Kallias says with all the authority of a king. “Who are you?” he asks, turning to the woman.
“Constable Damali Hallas, Your Majesty.”
“And what is your purpose in being here?”
“Baron Drivas hired me to look into the disappearance of his youngest son, Hektor.”
Kallias doesn’t turn his head, but he glances to me briefly out of the corner of his eyes. “Disappearance?”
