I've Cleared My Sched for you

"Don't you have any meetings today?" I ask once we finish breakfast and Kassian escorts me from the room.

"No. I've cleared my schedule. Your ball is coming up quickly. I thought I could help with the rest of the preparations. And as I mentioned, there's something we need to talk about."

I clear my throat. "Yes, I'm … curious to hear more about this topic we're going to discuss."

Well, that sounded overly formal.

The man wants to propose for devils' sake, and I find myself wanting to run far away. But this is what I wanted. It's the whole reason I came here.

So why am I dreading this conversation?

"Shall we go to the library?" he asks.

I don't say anything, but he leads me in that direction all the same, his guards following.

"It's a beautiful day," Kassian comments, as he glances out a window we pass by. "Storm passed quickly." Then he curses. "Why am I talking about the damned weather?"

Still I say nothing. The guards leave us to enter the library alone, and Kassian closes the door behind us.

"Do you want to sit?" he asks.

I shake my head.

"I'm sorry," he says. "I was stupid. I didn't mean to bring it up like that."

"Proposing, you mean?"

"Yes. I shouldn't have surprised you with the table, either. I should have talked with you before I had it made. I just thought you would like it."

I stare down at my boots. "But it's not just a table, is it, Kassian?"

"No. No, it's not."

It's silent for a moment, and I lift my gaze to study the spines of the books around the room. Anything to avoid looking at him and his perfect features. For this conversation, I don't think I can bear to look at him.

"We just do so well together," he says at last. "You have a mind for scheming better than any of my councilors. You've proven yourself time and again as an invaluable ally. Simply put, you're brilliant.

I enjoy myself whenever I'm in your presence. Even if we're quarreling over something. I enjoy our trips away from the palace. Being in disguise, going on adventures—it's more fun than I've had in years. I've been so lonely lately, but ever since you've arrived, I've been … happy.

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 rebel kingdoms in this vast Hell. I want you to be my equal, Loralie. My queen. You would have power. A guard of your own. We would talk before making decisions. We would get the council 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 … with him?

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?"

Kassian 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 Jason's father is in the palace.

Kassian's 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 Kassian, 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 Desano, Jason'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," Kassian 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 disapappearance of his youngest son, Jason."

Kassian doesn't turn his head, but he glances to me briefly out of the corner of his eyes. "Disappearance?"

"So it was when we started the investigation, Your Majesty, but we now know the young nobleman was murdered."