Page 162 of North Queen
“Not that I thought it would take long,” he added. His voice came fainter, as if he were speaking more to himself than to her, as if he were regretful, even. “I just hadn’t expected it so soon.” His face fell, and his eyes softened. “What would you have me change?”
His question wasn’t what she had anticipated. What would she have him change? His kingdom? Their values, their culture, their way of life? Anything she could ask for was too much or not enough. Or both. She stayed quiet.
He shifted his gaze forward again and let out a long breath. “The villa is yours alone now. Will you be moving there?”
Her mind was still on the man that had just been killed; she couldn’t think about the villa, other than that she would most certainly not be moving there.
“You don’t want the villa?” He paused a moment. “Have you seen it?”
No. She didn’t need to see it. She didn’twantto see it. She didn’t want to stay where there had been wives before her, women he had known in such an intimate way. But she didn’t want to argue about the villa right now. “I’m sure it has everything I need,” she managed finally, hoping to put the subject to rest for now.
“But you don’t want to stay there,” he pressed.
Fine. “No,” she admitted. “I don’t want to stay there. I’m fine with the sanctuary.” The sanctuary was hers. Kind of.
He stepped in front of her. His voice dropped low. “I’ve been with no other since I’ve met you, no other woman. I want you to know this. If it’s important.”
Her breath hitched in her throat. And her heart… “It is,” she whispered. He was trying. Could she try? “Thank you for telling me.”
He nodded, and they continued walking.
She swallowed. “What did you do with your wives?”
He shifted his weight back. “They returned to their homes, to their families.”
So, no violent ends. That was good.“You’ll see them provided for?”
He looked at her curiously. “I’ve allowed them to keep the Provision Promise moneys. It’s a substantial amount.”
She wasn’t sure what that meant. Perhaps something like a dowry or a bride price. She bit the inside of her lip. That didn’t seem enough.
“Is there something more you’d have me do?” he asked.
“I don’t want them to be dishonored. They come from noble families?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “They do.”
“You should give them more. Land, perhaps.”
He nodded.
“You’ll see them taken care of, then?” She wanted confirmation.
“I will.”
She paused. “Do you have any children?”
He fell silent, then said, “No.”
His answer surprised her and relieved her at the same time. They stood awkwardly in the silence.
“I should retire,” she said. It was enough for now.
“Can I walk you back?” he asked, drawing closer.
No. But she found herself giving the faintest of nods. He offered her his arm. She wavered a moment, but then slipped her hand under and let him take them forward. He put his hand over hers, locking her to him. Her skin tingled under his touch, but she couldn’t let herself forget so easily. He’d just killed a man, like it had been nothing. He would’ve killed another had she not stopped him, all while discussing the trade of people’s lives as if they were bags of grain.
Could she bear this, the price of peace? She’d known who she’d married. Maybe it had been foolish of her to expect change quickly. Maybe over time…
