Page 149 of Scourged
She nodded once and pushed through the gate, walking back towards the palace before she could see if they nodded back.
Mariah tosseda light farewell to both Trefor and Matheo before slipping inside her rooms, the heavy white wood closing behind her with asnick.
She took a few steps into her rooms and froze.
“You’re an idiot. Nothing is better than Sacalan whiskey. And aren’t you from there?”
Mariah would know that deep, shadowy voice anywhere.
“You’re right, I am. That means I know full well its shortcomings. As much as I hate those pirates, there is nothing sweeter than Kizar rum.”
Andrian andSebastian?In her study? Together?
Set alight with confusion—and more than a little interest—she moved to the glass-paneled door and watched them.
They both sat in comfortable chairs, weapons leaned against a wall, their postures almost mirrors of each other. Sebastian was relaxed, in a way he hadn’t been since she’d arrived home.
Andrian, however …
He’d always been beautiful. She’d seen it the moment their gazes had met in the palace courtyard all those months ago. But now, to see him sitting with his friend, an easy smile spread across his face, eyes sparkling in the light of theallumelamp sitting on the table …
Something had lifted from him. No shadows clung to his shoulders; no darkness plagued his gaze. He looked as he probably should’ve been, if his father hadn’t used him in his desperate grasps for power and his mother was accepted in this kingdom despite her northern heritage.
So much about Andrian’s darkness was forged by his fate, and Mariah’s heart broke to see what he could’ve been. As bright and brilliant as the sun, instead of tragic like a falling star.
Andrian’s attention drifted away from Sebastian and snagged on Mariah through the glass doors. He held his smile, but it softened, settling into his usual smirk. Something tugged in her mind, feelings of warmth stretching into her soul.
The bond.
He had figured out how to grab into their bond andpull.
Good goddess.
She raised her eyebrows but said nothing as she pushed through the doors. Sebastian quickly took in her appearance before a similar, easy grin stretched across his face.
“Good morning, Mariah. Looking beautiful as ever.”
“Why, thank you, Seb.” She wore a grin now, unfamiliar—but not unwelcome—lightness bubbling in her chest. “I always feel my best when I’m a little bit dirty.”
“Careful, princess.” Andrian leaned back in his chair, settling against the suede. “You keep talking like that, and we’ll start to think you’re flirting.”
“Hm,” she hummed, tilting her head. Something surged in her—something hot and wild and desperate. “But what if I am?”
“And on that note.” Sebastian cleared his throat to mask his laugh and stood. “I should get going. I hear you’re to be coronated in two days.”
Mariah stiffened. She’d forgotten; or, at least, she’d forgotten as best she could. Delaynie was working with Ryenne’s ladies and Liliane, the young priestess, to arrange Mariah’s coronation. It was to be a small affair, something quiet and intimate, as all coronations were. This was not a ceremony for the people, but a moment shared between queens. The opposite of Mariah’s Winter Solstice, but just as powerful in its own way.
And with Mariah’s ascension, with the rise of a new queen … her predecessor would return to the stars. Mariah refused to dwell on what that would mean. She hadn’t seen Ryenne since the day she’d visited Mariah after her return and, in truth, had been too afraid to call on her again.
The thought of a world without Queen Ryenne, the one guiding force she’d had since arriving in Verith …
It was paralyzing.
Mariah plastered a smile on her face. “Yes. Exciting times.” She glanced at them both one more time. “I need to go shower. I’ll see you both later?”
Sebastian smiled and nodded.
Andrian, however, said nothing. He simply sat and watched her with an unreadable expression, running a finger across his lips.