Page 100

A devilish smile tilted his lips that had her blushing in a way she didn’t want to. “You will be my everything.”

She brushed aside the words, not able to focus on them too closely. If she did, Wren might be tempted to believe his lies – to give him everything.

Wren had never wanted to rule, not once. But her sister was young—too young to sit upon the throne without being manipulated by people who would use her position to their own benefit. If Wren took Arrik up on his offer, she could help rebuild the isles so that, by the time Britta came of age, their kingdom would be restored to its former glory.

More than that: Wren could destroy Verlanti from the inside.

Arrik stretched his hand out to her. “Come, my queen.”

It was now or never. She would not get another opportunity like this.

To turn back now was to lose.

She took several slow steps to the dais, her skirts whispering as she ascended the steps.

Wren held her husband’s gaze as she set her hand in his.

“Then let’s rule together.”