Tadgh traced my lips. “What’s this frown about?”
“I’m worried about my sister.” My mind should have been consumed with more pleasant things, like my husband holding me close. The almond scent of his magic tickling my nose and tongue. The warmth of his chest pressed against mine. Instead, all I could think about was Aveen.
Tadhg’s callused hands smoothed along my bare shoulders to the sleeves clinging to my upper arms. His soft lips danced along my neck, his low hum vibrating against my skin. “You know, I’ve heard the best remedy for worry is a handsome distraction.”
“Do you know where I can find one?”
His chuckle puffed warm air over my chest as his hands wandered to the silk at my waist. “Very funny.”
“I thought so.” A smile tugged at my lips until the question I’d been trying to avoid started to burn like acid on the back of my tongue. One I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to. It would be far easier living in a happy little bubble with my prince, pretending everything was right in the world even though that couldn’t be further from the truth.
That was how I had lived my life back in Graystones, and it hadn’t done me any favors. The Danú people deserved better than to have a leader content to bury her head in the sand. Like it or not, becoming a princess of Tearmann came with vast responsibilities.
Look at what silence had cost my sister.
I steeled my shoulders and drew in a fortifying breath. “What happened in the courtyard tonight?”
Tadhg glanced away, but not before I saw the flash of darkness in his eyes. “Some people did not support my decision to marry a human.”
Nothing new there. Although to storm the castle the way they did—and on our wedding day, no less. That was unacceptable, not to mention disrespectful to their prince.
His stubbled jaw ticked. “Rían and I took care of them.”
In his world, I knew exactly what that meant. “You killed them?”
He lifted my chin with his finger, urging me to meet his steady emerald gaze. “They’re in the dungeon awaiting trial. But make no mistake, I will not hesitate to end any person who threatens you.”
If anyone had threatened him, I would’ve done the very same. Not that I could have taken on an entire company of Danú and hoped to win. “What if there are more?” Once news of our marriage vows spreads, there were bound to be many people who would hate to see a human on Tearmann’s throne.
“My beloved princess, tonight you are the only thing that matters. The world could burn for all I care. Tomorrow, we’ll dance on the ashes.”Tadhg cupped my jaw, bringing our mouths together for a slow, sensual kiss. Our tongues tangled and slid against each other.
Outside these walls and wards, the world was going to hell. But here in this throne room, beneath a veil of shadows and candlelight, in the arms of my husband, I’d never felt as safe.
When he pulled away, a whimper escaped. “ I have a surprise for you.”
I rolled my hips; his length swelled beneath me. “I think I’ll like this surprise.”
“Not that, minx. At least, not yet.”
Nothing could be better than having him inside me. At least that was what I’d thought before a gleaming gold crown appeared in his hand, similar to the one Tadhg had worn during the ceremony.
I reached out to trace the emeralds dotting the delicate gilded twists and points. To think, only last year I had planned on killing this man, and here I sat, on his lap on a throne, being handed a crown.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
For a moment, I glimpsed the boy behind the man, sweet and a little unsure.
It was a bloody crown. What did he think?
“If you don’t, we can always commission another.”
“Don’t you dare. I love it, Tadhg. But I don’t deserve it.” Who was I to accept such a gift? Perhaps once I’d proven myself—once I earned this throne…
“You are the woman who gave me back my life.” A smile played at the corners of Tadhg’s full lips as he shook his head. “This trinket isn’t nearly enough.” He clasped the crown between his hands and settled the piece upon my head with such reverence, my chest drew tight.
“Beautiful,” he whispered, no longer looking at the gold and jewels but at me.
Beneath his heated gaze, I felt every bit the beauty he claimed to see. And with this crown, I felt powerful as well.