ced her carefully on the bed, his arms lingering f

is voice low and tight with conce

through the palace in front of everyone. "Only my pride, thank yo

isingly gentle as he reached for her ankle. "Let me check. If you twist it now, you w

his grip was firm. "I told you I'm fin

sing lightly around her ankle, h

suddenly very aware

l, as if she were something precious that might break. Finding no injury, he finally

its usual cold, formal tone. "You were standing in the middle of a crowded courtyard when Aveline pushed

ing. "Excuse me? Are you lecturing me now? After you

a. The courtyard stones are uneven. If Aveline had

facing him, her anger rising to match his. "And you

. Aurelia's mouth opened, then closed, hurt flashing across her face. She ha

little. "Do you know that? One moment you act like you care, t

d to end the conversation before it went furth

Aurelia hesitated before asking the question that had been burning in her chest since the courtyar

ceptibly, and his hand tightened on

mer now. "She looks at you like you belong to her. She looks at me like I'm a

d, his voice cold again. Elara is part of

if our marriage was arranged, even if you didn't choose me, I am still your wife. I think I have the right to a

look at her, his eyes hard and conflicted. "Do not mistake it for permission to in

se they were cruel, but because they were so distant

atever brought us together, Evander, I am still your wife. I did not choose this either, but I am

avy with things neither of them knew how to say. Evander's eyes searched

gry with him and even angrier with herself for car