The best way to do that is to finish our marriage contract. Such a thought propels me out of my room and to the library. I reach for the cart full of fresh scrolls from the stone benders. I unroll one, pleased, and place it on my table before going to the royal section and withdrawing my parent’s marriage contract.
I sit down, put on my crystal specs, and start to read. There’s an uncomfortable stirring in my gut as I study the document. My father’s people had been imperious toward my mother—demanding intercourse with the king at frequent intervals as well as dictating the colors she was able to wear. My mother had been an affluent teacher at one of our most respected universities. It hurts my heart to see how she was forced to give all of that up because of something she could not control.
It reminds me of what Estela said in the tunnel. I lean back in my chair, thinking about my mother. Was she just a glorified whore to the king? I had always assumed that my father truly loved his queen—when she died, all the goodness in him died, too.
But maybe that had merely been a romantic idea from a youngling. This contract tells a very cold, controlling story.
Does this human woman feel safe and loved, locked in the queen’s suite?
Svanna’s words hit me straight in the chest once more. I had broken my people’s laws to steal her. We had made a deal to be wed. But would she ever love me? Or would she be obliged to pretend?
When my quill hits the page once more, the words that flow out are intended to include, not control. I make it clear that I will never touch her without her consent, that she will be encouraged to take on the tasks she desires, and be friends with those she likes.
When I’m done, I’m still uneasy. None of these words tell her what she is to me. She knows nothing of our matehood—and I am afraid she will run if I reveal it too soon. Some lies are necessary.
A knock on the door behind me has me hurrying to my feet. When Vann saunters in, he has a sour look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I demand. There are few things that could cause him to look so angry. “Have the giants returned?”
His frown deepens. “No. Mother Liana has sent me to tell you that one of the human men has recognized a mate. Neela.”
My eyebrows raise. “Another matehood. What about Ulla?”
He purses his lips and shakes his head. “She hasn’t said anything. It seems that the humans will be staying.”
I shouldn’t feel relief and joy at the revelation. It means a long, taxing future between our people and the giants for their slaves. But…
“Was I so foolish to hope, my friend?” I ask, grinning.
Suddenly, Vann’s expression falls. I see the guarded walls he puts up crumble and fall as he lets out a long breath. He blinks his eyes and they look glassy in the spell light.
I cross to him. “What is it?”
He blinks, eyes now red. “Adra and I weren’t mated.”
My eyebrows furrow. “I don’t understand.” His betrothed had been a singer, and they had known each other since they were young. They had wanted to be married despite knowing they could never have children.
He looks right at me, his face ravaged with brutal pain. “If you keep bringing humans, then there might be a mate for me. Adra would—I can’t—” The tears beading along his waterline drop.
I cross to him and clasp my arms around his back. He remains stiff. “Adra would want you to be happy, Vann.”
He returns the hug for a mere moment before pushing away. He looks down at the scroll on the table beside us. The pain in his expression fades as he reads the words. “What is this?”
I swallow. “Estela told me she would marry me if I saved her brother.”
“Godsdamn it, Teo. More promises?” he looks irate.
I stand tall. “You have such little faith in my ability to save both her and our people. It’s starting to insult me.”
He throws his hands in the air. “What the hell do I know?” He opens his mouth to say something else, but instead chooses to wipe his mouth and leave the room.
I’m left alone with the ghosts of hundreds of thousands of words.
Chapter12
Citrine
ESTELA