“This is not up for discussion. You should count yourself lucky that Mr. Westrock still wishes to marry you. Because you would not have liked your punishment if this arrangement had fallen through.”
“But—”
“If you insist upon taking that insufferable pelican with you, I suggest you teach him proper restaurant etiquette. Now go. I am quite tired from all of the stress today.”
“Mother—”
“Iris, darling, I believe you have tried my patience enough for one day. Go. Take your book. Reflect upon the kind of man who would give you a gift after such blatant disrespect. Maybe you will conclude what I have known all along—Finn Westrock will be a considerate and forgiving husband for you. Now go. I need to rest. I have a council meeting in the morning.”
Considerate and forgiving.
Those were not exactly the qualities Iris envisioned for a life partner.
She wanted heat and passion.
She wanted a love that scalded and soothed in equal turns.
But she was going to get consideration and forgiveness.
Something she shouldn’t need just for her very nature and personality.
Her heart felt as fragile as a seashell picked up by a careless hand—beautiful but bound to be broken.
Having no choice, Iris took her book and swam down the hall toward her own room.
Her mind was consumed with all she was losing: her home, her friends, her family, her beloved ocean, hertail. Even the annoying singing eels. And the squid ink that would stain her skin for weeks.
Still, she couldn’t seem to stop herself from turning her attention back to the book Finn had gifted her. Though she suspected Finn himself had nothing to do with it. The man didn’t appear to have a singular, unique thought. It was more likely a peace offer from his campaign manager.
Regardless, it had been the perfect gift for her.
There were only fifty fiction books in the royal library. Iris had read each of them a hundred times, getting swept away in intrigue and romance. There was something comforting about revisiting already loved characters. But it had been many years since she’d gotten a chance to fall in love with new ones.
So, despite knowing she should be spending her night packing, mourning, and trying to come to terms with her future, she opened the cover and got lost in a new book.
5
Iris
“What is that?” Iris asked as she surfaced at the sandbar, eyeing the absurdly large suitcase Monty was perched on.
“My belongings.”
“But why?” Iris asked, hefting her own luggage onto the sand.
“Because I’m coming with you, of course.”
“So, you heard.”
“Shelly was sitting on a rock this morning, ranting and raving about your move and how ungrateful you are.”
“Ungrateful,” Iris scoffed. She pulled herself up onto the sandbar. She’d been up all night reading, getting swept away by a grand romance between a princess and the knight from an enemy kingdom. Then she’d spent the morning swimming, trying to soak up as much of the ocean and the things she loved in it while she still could.
When she couldn’t stall any longer, she grabbed herluggage and left her home. She hadn’t said a single goodbye, since her mother was in a meeting, Shelly was off sulking, and Juna was MIA—likely too angry with her sister to offer a proper goodbye.
Perhaps that was for the best. If she had to look in their eyes, knowing she might never live under the same roof as them again, would not be able to sneak into their rooms at night to gossip, to share in their inside jokes anymore …
Yes, better not to have to face her sisters. She wasn’t sure she would be able to leave if they were there. And she was in enough trouble already.