At his name, Theo stood up so fast that the table shook from the force.
“Excuse us.” His grey eyes never left Aveline’s as he addressed the rest of the men.
Without another word, he followed his wife until –
“Absolutely not!” King Stellan’s hands slammed on the table as he stood.
“What could possibly be more important than the peace treaty?”
I’m doing this for you!
Let’s see how much you care…
Aveline stepped between Theo and the table.
“Father.” She slipped effortlessly into her best coy, Astra smile.
“If you want to join our conversation about my husband’s performance last night, you are welcome to.”
Lark choked on his drink when Aveline softly patted her stomach.
Beside her, Theo went unnaturally still.
“After all, it concerns your possible grandchild.” Her smile was innocent, but her words told a different story.
King Stellan’s face drained of colour.
His knees buckled.
Fortunately, Cedric was there to catch him.
That should buy us some time.
With that, Aveline pulled Theo by the hand and out of the opulent room.
❀
“Possible grandchild?”
“It worked, didn’t it?” Aveline ignored every attempt at eye contact from Theo as she continued to drag him to a more private space.
There was one door that she recognised.
It was a storage room with a secret stash of wine.
“Do you want children?” Theo poked his head in front of Aveline’s face as he raised a questioning brow.
For the first time since they left the room, Aveline looked at him.
Theo had the same amused smile on his face, but there was something else in his eyes now.
Apprehension?
Concern?
Excitement?
“I want…” Aveline made a show of leaning closer.
“You to get in!” She threw the door open and pushed the man in.
“This is a – a cupboard?” Theo looked around the dim surroundings.
The tiny space had shelves built in with a variety of jars and storage boxes.
Usually when Aveline was here alone, she could comfortably stretch herself across the width of the space, but sharing it with a towering, broad warrior was different.
Theo was in his formal wear; less elaborate than the wedding garments, but enough layers that it took up space.
Aveline was still in her questionable nightgown from Queen Celia.
They were pressed chest-to-chest.
Every breath was a caress against skin.
Let’s get to the bottom of this.
She schooled her expression to be as intimidating as she could.
“How long have you known?”
There was a subtle quirk of the man’s lips as he tilted his head to the side like he didn’t understand the question.
“Stop playing around!” Her hands fisted the front of his tunic.
That’s a solid chest…
Theo contained his reaction before gently taking his wife’s hands into his.
“As soon as I lifted the veil.”
Aveline’s world stopped.
“Our first meeting?” She blinked.
Theo didn’t reply but gave her an enigmatic smile.
“You knew I wasn’t Astra before the vows.”
“I had a suspicion.”
How?
I was so careful!
Just like the night before, his fingers delicately twirled some of her locks between them.
“What type of ‘hair accident’ turns blonde to brunette?”
Her skin broke out in goosebumps and her blood ran cold.
That was father’s idea!
Aveline clenched her jaw.
“Things happen.” She shrugged.
It was getting increasingly harder to compose herself as Theo began to calmly caress her hair.
I want the ground to swallow me and he’s just playing with my hair!
“I was also told that Princess Astra was distant with her older sister.” The fingers left her hair to grasp at her hand.
“So, why would they arrange flowers together?” His thumb smoothed over the scar like before.
“Princess Astra is the darling of the courts – surely, she knows the steps to a simple dance?”
Heat began to rise to Aveline’s face.
“First dance nerves.”
“You crashed into me twice.” There was a huff of a laugh as he recalled the memory.
“Stepped on my feet too many times to count.”
Aveline looked away.
“All this time…”
The altar.
The drawing room.
The dance.
Last night.
He knew.
Aveline gulped.
“Why?”
Theo’s brows furrowed.
“Why did you marry me?”
Theo’s eyes quickly surveyed Aveline before his expression changed.
There’s that devious smile again.
Wordlessly, he brought her hands up to his chest.
The action felt intimate for something so simple.
“The letter asked for Astra.” Aveline prodded again.
“It did.” Theo replied matter-of-factually.
“But you have me.”
Theo’s smile grew wider.
“I do.”
Slowly, he crowded her against the wall.
The cramped space became tighter as he bracketed one arm near her head.
The grey eyes opposite hers were open and amiable despite the notoriety of their owner.
What are you thinking?
The reputation of a man like him was stained with blood, fear and resentment.
He was the man who led armies that slaughtered Aveline’s own people.
He was the murderer of three wives.
He could probably kill Aveline with just his bare hands.
But the man currently in front of her was different.
So far, Theo had been thoughtful.
Responsive to her plans.
Even compassionate.
So far.
The letter specifically demanded Astra, but if he knew that it was the wrong bride from the start, why did he treat Aveline so well?
He helped with the kiss; went along with her plans to fool the observers; listened when she told him to stay away.
He even gave her a lady-in-waiting – Aveline hadn’t had one since her mother died.
Who did I marry?
“You’re thinking too much again.”
Aveline’s eyes snapped to his.
She gritted her teeth.
Theo’s smile faded.
While taking a deep breath for her retort, Aveline felt a brush of something furry against her bare foot.
“Ahh!” Her screech filled the tiny space as she immediately latched on to the taller man.
Her arms coiled around his neck and her legs around his torso as she tried to get away from whatever touched her.
His hands immediately supported her.
Before he could ask what was wrong, the door suddenly opened.
“Ah.” Lark’s confused face appeared in the door way.
He took in their position: Aveline wrapped around her husband, his hands on her thighs to hold her up.
Combined with her earlier remark to her father, it could only mean one thing…
“Carry on.” Lark winked with a knowing smile before closing the door.
“Prime Minister, please!” From the other side, Cedric’s muffled voice could be heard.
“The treaty needs to be signed! Get them out of there!”
The door creaked open again.
Aveline and Theo remained in the same position.
“Apologies, Newlyweds. You’ll have to finish this when we get home.”
“Home?” Aveline’s gaze flickered between the two men.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lark seemed just as confused.
“We are leaving today.”
“Leaving?” Aveline lets go of Theo.
“For Paxmouth, Your Majesty.” Lark blinked a couple of times as he tried to make eye contact with his king.
Aveline froze.
Today?
Her vision went blurry as her legs struggled to stand.
Before she could hit the ground, strong arms supported her from behind.
“You knew?” She couldn’t keep the betrayal from her voice.
Theo’s expression changed.
“Yes.”
Aveline’s stomach dropped.
“When were you going to tell me?”
His jaw clenched.
“Did you expect me to stay here?”
What?
His eyes searched hers for understanding.
“We are married.”
“There you are!” Cedric looked relieved at the sight of the other king.
“Please, let us finish this.” He waved the men over to the meeting room.
Lark nodded to placate the elder, but Theo refused to move.
His eyes were unreadable as he held his wife.
“Your Majesty! There you are!” Wren panted as if she just ran around the whole castle.
“Let’s get you ready for the day!” She eyed the pair as she approached.
Wren opened her arms for Theo to hand Aveline over.
His fingers flexed against Aveline’s shoulders but he didn’t move.
What does he want to say to me?
Forget it…
Aveline was the one who pulled away first.
His hands slowly fell to his sides.
“I hope the signing goes well, King Magnus.” She bowed before leaving.
❀
The treaty was signed.
The carts packed and ready for Paxmouth.
The visitors gathered in the courtyard.
There was only one problem.
“The Queen is missing!”