登入Theodore’s POVI looked around the rich wood paneling of the conference room. This was one of the rooms in the royal palace that I had thought to be superfluous at first. Why have a room specifically for business meetings when there were twenty-some other places to gather in this unnecessarily large
Theo stood, and I returned my attention to him as he offered me his hand. I took it, leaning into him more than usual as I stood.Holding me close, pressing our bodies together, Theo tilted his head up to the striking sun. “Do you feel that?” he asked. “The warmth of the sun?”I closed my eyes, a si
Violet’s POVInstead of lunch plans, Theo told Marcy and Aunt Marissa that we would back for dinner with both the families. Then my husband dragged me around the market, picking up a loaf of warm bread, some cheese, dried meats, fruit, and a hand-woven blanket that was the same red and yellows as ou
“You alright?” I asked them both.Colby blinked and gathered himself, nodding once. Sinclair’s gaze snapped to mine with something like rage in them. I wasn’t sure if it was for letting such young kids fight or from hiding this from them up until now.He seemed to remember himself though, remember h
Theodore’s POVThe next morning, everyone gathered at one of Violet’s cousin’s farms in town. It was the only place big enough to showcase what they’d been learning. Apparently, they were used to training on Uncle Caleb’s farm, but since everyone was already gathered here, we would make do.Violet a
Violet’s POVI had to be careful.I knew I had a bias toward women. Everything I’d said to Olivia Bronson at the royal palace had been true. I did relate her.Growing up as an incredibly capable woman in a world where women weren’t expected to be capable was suffocating. I was desperate to change th
Happy.I guessed that meant I had passed all the tests for the evening.Violet simply dipped her head in a polite nod. “How gracious of you.”I took her cue and stepped back, offering my arm. She placed her hand in the crook of my elbow, letting me lead her away from the revelry, though I could stil
TheodoreHer grip on her champagne flute tightened, and she turned her head slightly, meeting my gaze. Her eyes were dark and heavy-lidded, filled with amusement and fondness that made me grin like a child.Giddy.Happy.And drunk.I blinked as the realization hit me.I was drunk.Not the kind of re
The afternoon sun had begun to dip, casting a warm, golden hue over the gathering. By the time the matches concluded, a festive air had settled over the estate. The nobles gathered in clusters, laughing and chatting as the servants began setting up for the reception. Theodore was surrounded, drawing
Violet I turned back at the sound of a sharp clatter and caught sight of Nora dumping the plate of food into a small waste bin by the cot. Her expression was tight with anger as she muttered, “I don’t need your pity.” I didn’t flinch. The action—and her defiance—meant nothing to me. I wasn't going