HER EYES WERE red the next morning from lack of sleep. Delton’s arrival had caught her off guard. She’d spent all night scheming ways to get rid of him. How had she missed this? Why had he shown up without a warning after all these years?
Dressed in a bright green dress, she sat with her chin up, looking at the empty chair on the other end of the table. Her husband hadn’t shown up for breakfast yet. She seethed as she remembered their conversation last night. How dare he march into her palace and demand that she produce an heir? After the way he’d treated her, she was more inclined to puncture that black heart of his with a sword.
“I’m ready to begin.” She instructed the staff. Technically, it was against royal custom for the queen to dine before the king arrived. But this was her home, her palace, her domain. Even if it belonged to him on paper. The servant stared at each other but obeyed. One of the highlights of Cadia’s palace was that a lot of the staff were loyal to her father and, by proxy, to her. It was one of the reasons she’d chosen to return to Cadia after her ten-year exile ended.
Steam rose from hot tea that was poured into the porcelain cup next to her. The staff began filling her plate with food. As she saw her worried face reflected in the honey-colored tea, her mind went back to Delton’s words from last night.
It is time for you to produce an heir.
Once upon a time, the implications of that statement would’ve made her happy. But now, it made her sick.
She remembered the night of her wedding, her younger self eager with anticipation for what was to come. Xara had been a virgin. She still was. Delton’s cruelty had ruined her for any other man.
She remembered his face in the palace’s bed chamber. Dark eyes tinged with blue surveyed her, his tight skin, his shadowy beard. He appeared intimidating to her with his broad shoulders, chiseled body that had been honed in battle, strong legs, and imposing height. Yet, she wasn’t afraid of him.
“Good evening,” his raspy voice filled the room. Silhouetted against the window, he looked like a shadow. She, on the other hand, was pure light, every ray of moonlight falling on her thin gown.
“Hello…” she said breathlessly, heart hammering. Mahogany waves fell to her waist. Delton’s eyes surveyed her carefully, but he didn’t take a step forward. “I…I’ve been looking forward to tonight.”
He still didn’t move.
“Have you?” His eyes slid over her face. “I don’t know what your father told you about the marriage bed but none of that will happen tonight.”
“W-what do you mean, your majesty?” Flutters ignited inside her heart. Was he considering her comfort, not wanting to push her so early on in their marriage? “I’m ready for you…”
“We’re not going to consummate our marriage, princess. The law doesn’t require it. Go to sleep.” He eyed her warily and took a step back. “Good night.”
He was leaving…writing her off as an inexperienced virgin. She couldn’t let him go.“Wait!”
So, she reached for the opening of her nightgown and hurriedly undid the buttons.
“What are you doing—“
The nightgown slithered down her body, leaving a trail of exposed skin as it fell. She stood naked before him. Xara’s face heated with embarrassment, but it was worth it because she heard Delton inhale sharply. Bringing her eyes to Delton, she anticipated his next move. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he surveyed her exposed skin. Though she was no beauty, she wanted Delton to see her, to desire her the way she was.
“I want you,” she said. “You kissed me at the wedding ceremony today. Surely, you feel it too. If you’re worried I can’t please you—“
“Put that thing back on,” His tone was curt, like a knife piercing her. Momentarily stunned, Xara reeled back. “I wanted to spare you the truth until tomorrow, but it looks like that won’t be happening.” He took a step away from her. “Our marriage is in name only, princess. Now that we’re bonded for life, my purpose has been fulfilled. It is your land I require, not you. Tomorrow morning, you leave for Snakefront.”
“Snakefront?” She vaguely remembered a city in Inferno by that name. “Will you be joining me there?”
“No. You’re being exiled, Xara. I want you out of my sight and out of my life. I do not require your company. You are free to do whatever you want, use as many of my resources as you like, but I do not wish to see you again.”
Xara was shocked. The bitterness in his voice scared her. He spoke to her like…she was a stranger.
“Why are you doing this? You said you wanted to marry me. I thought—“
“I never said I desired you. I don’t remember promising to make you happy either,” he said. “You are nothing but a pawn. I have never loved you and never will. I will never touch you as long as I live. That will be my retribution.”
“Retribution…” The world seemed to be spinning and Xara needed to latch onto something to prevent herself from falling. Despair grew inside her heart. Had the king not loved her? Had all the fantasies in her head been just that, fantasies? “What do you mean?”
“Your father took something very precious from me and so, I had to return the favor.” Deep lines of hatred were etched on his face, as he recalled whatever sin her father had committed. “It wasn’t enough to have Escayton. I wanted to destroy the thing that is most precious to him.” His gaze flickered to her. “That’s you, my dear.”
Xara had never feared him before but when he speared her with that hateful gaze, she felt cold all over.
“I…what did my father do?” Xara asked, trying to calm herself. Then, shaking her head, “I don’t care. He and I are not the same person. If he hurt you in some way…” she inhaled. “I can make it better.”
“You cannot make it better. What he took from me cannot be returned.”
“Can’t you give me a chance?”
“Princess, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying. Your misery is the only thing that I desire. You are to leave the palace and not return. We’ll have a marriage of convenience. Isn’t that what royal couples do?”
“I don’t want a marriage of convenience. I want to be loved.” Her voice was breaking. Tears sprung in its mahogany depths.
Delton laughed. The bastard actually laughed.
“Loved? I’m not capable of love.” He shook his head. “Go to sleep. When tomorrow comes, you’ll be far, far away from me.”
The disregard imprinted on his face would be her last memory of that night.
The activity beside her paused for a moment as a shadow appeared at the entrance of the dining hall.
“Your Majesty.” The servant moved away, bowing to King Delton, who appeared for breakfast. With a clean-shaven jaw, his signature black clothes, silver rings, and a glint of malice, he was his usual self. Her heart hurt from the memory; she curled her fingers into a fist.
Produce an heir, indeed.
She’d never forgive him as long as she lived. He was going to die alone in disgrace, stripped of his land. Ifer would make sure of it.
“Good morning.” His deep voice reverberated. He sat next to her instead of occupying his chair at the head of the table. Picking up her teacup and drinking leisurely, she refused to acknowledge his presence.
“Did you sleep well last night?” he asked, trying to make casual conversation, eyeing the empty plate.
“As well as I could with three spies watching me.” She sipped a little more tea, trying to seem nonchalant. Delton choked on his tea, and she offered him a triumphant smile. Last night, she’d noticed the new servants who were a little too interested in her affairs. Their eyes were fixed on her movements whenever she was in the room. It was subtle, but as Ifer, Xara knew that any sudden interest was cause for suspicion. There was something afoot in this palace. “Did you sleep well, Your Majesty?”
“No,” he confessed, back to his grumbling self. He didn’t respond to her remark. “With Ifer running free, how could I sleep?”
So that was why he was here. Xara wondered if producing an heir was just a ruse to spy on her. He’d never let his bloodline be tainted by King Elian’s blood. When Xara discovered what her father had done to Delton’s parents, she felt sad for him. She’d even returned to confront him and beg for his forgiveness. But he had turned her away cruelly.
“Do you suspect me of something?” Her eyes fixed on him, she studied his sleepy face. He hadn’t bothered to shave for her, stubble lining his sharp jaw. The only reason she was here was to find out what he was planning.
“Of what?” Delton asked. His eyes pinned her, but his voice sounded innocent. They were the deepest shade of blue—the color of the sky at midnight. “Are you guilty of something?”
“Why do you have three spies watching me?”
“It is for your safety,” he said. “Ifer is in Cadia. I wouldn’t want you to fall into that villain’s hands.”
She wanted to laugh at the irony of that statement. “He is more likely to kill you than me,” Xara remarked coolly. “I suggest using those spies to protect yourself.”
“Do they make you uncomfortable?” His question was loaded with meaning. An innocent person wouldn’t be worried about being watched. But she wasn’t innocent.
“Yes,” she said. “If you plan to woo me, I suggest using flowers and poetry, not spies.”
“I don’t need to woo you, Xara. You’re already mine.”
Irritation coursed through her veins. She wanted to pick up the fork and stab him. But she held the murderous impulse at bay. Reputations took years to build and seconds to destroy. She was going to be docile and silent to find out what his game was. Ifer would defeat him, anyway. No point in settling for a short-term gain.
She was too busy to bother with him. With Osric in prison and Walric in Skera, Xara had to take care of the business. However, it was too risky to make a move with him at the palace. The problem that was her husband needed to be solved quickly.
“Do you have any plans for today?” he asked.
“Yes, Michael and I are going to take a walk.”
Delton listened to her in silence, cataloging all that she said. She ate in silence while he watched her like a hawk, turning away every time she glanced in his direction. After breakfast, she was going to talk to Michael to find out why Delton suspected her. Then she’d plan on her next course of action. Delton held up his teacup to her face with a smile. She didn’t return his gesture. Trying to paint a picture of domesticity, was he?
Let him smile as much as he wants, she thought, I’m going to have the last laugh.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Xara found herself with Michael on the balcony, overlooking the gardens. It was the only place they could be alone. The spies had disappeared after their morning conversation, but she wouldn’t put it above Delton to have others watching her.
She kept her voice low, as she asked her friend, “How have you been, Michael?”
“Good,” he said. “Thanks to you.” With his blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, white wings, and welcoming smile, he indeed looked like an angel. They had become unlikely friends when he’d fought her several months ago and found out her secret identity. “And you? I look forward to your letters, but I know you can’t be completely honest.”
“Trying to make things work,” she said, keeping her voice purposefully low. She looked to the balcony and realized that Delton was taking a walk in the garden. General Darius stood next to him. He paused, noticing her on the balcony. Delton and Xara’s eyes met across the distance. “I can’t say I’m too excited about Delton deciding to suddenly return. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“I sent you a letter informing you of his arrival. Did you not receive it?”
“No.” Xara wondered where that letter had gone. General Darius looked up at them and waved with an enormous smile. She raised her hand in acknowledgment.
“How is life with… General Darius?” Xara asked, feeling a tug in her heart at the sight of Michael smiling openly at the sight of his lover. Because she used natural energies and emotions for her healing magic, she was aware of the feeling of love radiating from her friend. She’d never know the invisible bond that people in love seemed to share.
“It’s like a dream. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. We’re both extremely grateful for what you’ve done.”
Xara had used her healing magic to cure Darius of his acquired blindness months ago. Angels who lived too long in Inferno acquired the condition. There was no known cure for the condition. Darius’ situation had been really bad when she’d treated him. Xara had been born with healing magic like all women in Escayton. However, her heightened sensitivity to natural energies and years of practice helped her harness them better. She used the abundant energies of nature and channeled them to cure wounds and ailments. Too bad she could only heal, not hurt.
“I am. Darius is feeling better.” She cleared her throat just as Delton turned away.
“I finally realize why poets romanticize love so much. To have lived without it for so long…,” Michael’s voice was full of emotion. He never lied, always choosing to express his honest feelings with no self-judgment. Unlike her, whose life was made up of lies. “Inferno isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The warm weather is growing on me.” Michael’s eyes turned darker, more serious. He glanced around to make sure nobody was there before lowering his voice to a whisper. “And you? How are you doing without Osric?”
“Things have been hard with both him and Walric gone. Delton’s sudden arrival has placed me in a bind. Do you know he asked me to give him an heir? The gall.” She scoffed. “I look forward to the day I take away Escayton from him.”
Michael’s eyes were on Darius and the king.
“Queen Xara.” Michael placed a steadying hand on hers. “I don’t think the king means to beget an heir.” His eyes were calm like a pond but held the depth of an ocean.
“You know something.”
“Yes.” Michael’s eyes moved over her head, checking if the coast was clear. “The king knows of your association with Walric. He’s trying to find him. You’re the bait.”
“I knew something was off….” Xara’s voice is a hiss. She should’ve expected it.
“You should be careful. He has spies everywhere, inspecting your letters. It would be a good idea to take a break.”
“My business can’t stop because Delton has decided to pay me a visit. People depend on me.”
Heires was due to return the following week, and she needed more information about Osric’s whereabouts. This was a terrible time for Delton to show up.
“In that case, I will help you,” Michael said. “Ferry messages back and forth, if that is what you want.”
“No. I don’t want to put you in danger. Besides, your helping me would put General Darius in a difficult position.”
“He knows,” Michael said.
“What?” Xara’s heart dropped.
“He knows who you are,” Michael said. “I didn’t tell him. He figured it out himself.” This was bad. “Don’t worry. He won’t tell the king.”
That wasn’t what she was worried about. If Darius suspected, it meant that her disguise wasn’t as flawless as she thought.
“With the way things are between you and the king, he will use your actions as an excuse to execute you,” Michael went on. “Let me help you.”
“I won’t lose to him,” she said. Clutching her necklace, she went on, “Delton must have a weakness. Everyone does. I’ve been mining secrets for years, yet I have failed to find his weakness. How can someone be so infallible?”
“That isn’t true. Everyone has one weakness,” Michael said, a twinkle appearing in his eye.
“Oh?”
“Love.”
Xara burst out laughing. “I don’t think Delton is the type to fall in love.” He had declared as much to her. “He has no heart.”
“We’ll see about that.” Was Michael’s enigmatic reply.
When she glanced at the gardens, Delton was still looking at her. Xara wondered what she could do to make him leave quickly.
