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So she did.

It didn’t make her feel better. It made her feel grubby.

She took a step back and eyed his flaming red cheeks, the ornate silver crown on his brow. She had one more unanswered question. “You only became king because Cathal was dead,” she murmured slowly. “But you seemed shocked that he’d been killed. Were you behind that, too?”

“I cannot answer that.”

That was an answer of its own.

She knew he had blood on his hands – they both did. But murder?

It wasn’t right.

“I thought we were supposed to bein this together!” She tossed her hands in the air.

Arrik grabbed Wren’s right hand and interlaced their fingers. “We are. But I can’t tell you about everything yet. I swear I will when I can. You can trust me.”

No, I really can’t.

And it broke her heart.

Wren gulped down a retort. She had to tread very, very carefully. “Now, you’re the king.”

“I am.”

“Then our bargain has been fulfilled. Let me return to the Dragon Isles and free my people from Verlanti. I have done all you asked so far. It is only right.”

He wouldn’t let her go.

She expected it but it still hurt when Arrik shook no.

“I would love nothing more than to do so,” he said, sounding genuinely sad.

“So do it,” she replied. “You promised.”

“With the political scene the way it is, I can’t. At least for now.”

“And what does that mean?” Wren demanded. She wrenched her hand from Arrik’s and took a step back. Of course, she should have known Arrik would go back on everything he promised her. Of course. So why did it sting?

Keep it together. You almost have what you want.

“Vadon,” Arrik said simply. “The moment you told me that Vadon had been spying on the isles, and that they were now working with the rebellion, everything changed. I cannot free your kingdom, but Icanoffer you something that suits our current situation far better.”

The tantalizing sentence stopped the retort Wren had been forming firmly in her throat. She chewed over how to respond without sounding too eager. This is what she’d been leading him to since the moment she’d stepped into the throne room.

“What could you possibly offer me, Arrik?”

Arrik walked back up to his throne and held a hand out to the queen’s throne at his side.

A shiver ran down her spine.

“Rule our kingdom with me. Be my queen. With the two of us together, Verlanti and the isles—think of what we can do, Wren. Think of the difference we can make.”

“…and the isles?” Her heart raced in her chest.

“You can do what you want with the Dragon Isles. I will not stand in your way. You ruling your home only helps us both.”

“So you wish for me to be more than your wife, but to be your queen and consort?”