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“It would be if it was real,” he muttered, cold amusement glittering in his eyes.

If he really knew what made her smile these days, he’d lock Mer up in no time.

Chapter Seventeen

RAZIEL

Their explorationsof Skigara went off without an incident.

His wife had ignored the warriors trailing them and immersed herself in the tour. Raz couldn’t trust the queen, and she certainly didn’t trust him. The moment she could, Mer had dropped his arm and put space between them, engaging with one of her new ladies. To anyone else, it wouldn’t have been obvious that she wanted to get away, but he couldfeelthe unease in her body being so close to him.

While she may have let him guide her through the city and all its charms, he certainly didn’t feel like he was in charge. Between the modistes, cobblers, markets, and treats, she’d acted as excited as anyone to experience new delights. Mer chatted with merchants, teased her ladies, and praised every young laborer she came across. It was impressive how she flowed from one conversation to another without missing a beat.

She had an agenda. Raziel just didn’t know what it was. And it bothered him.

The only things he knew for sure after spending a full morning trailing his Sirenidae bride was that she loved sweets, the merchants loved her, and she was more observant than he had expected. After the war, Raziel had found himself always looking for exits and possible attacks from enemies. His wife, it seemed, did the same thing. Those magenta eyes were always roving, despite the smile upon her lips.

While she didn’t embody the Methian standard of beauty, he could admit that her bowed full lips were pretty, and she had a stunning smile. It was the type that made you want to laugh and share a secret with her.

One he had liked too much.

When she’d seen him staring, it had disappeared.

And he mourned it the tiniest bit.

That was even more alarming.

“My lord?” Gideon asked.

Raziel snapped out of his musings and glanced at his good friend standing inside the doorframe to his room. “Yes?”

“Are you prepared for tonight?”

Raz nodded, turning to the mirror and adjusting the sleeves of his burgundy velvet jacket. “As prepared as I can be.”

Gideon closed the door behind him, giving them a moment of privacy before the banquet. His friend brushed a strand of blond hair from his fair face and leaned against the door. “And your queen?”

“I can only hope.” He had only seen her during meditation for the last week. After their tour of the city, his mother had whisked the Sirenidae away. She’d not joined him for the evening meal nor engaged with the courtiers. In truth, other than a few glances, his wife had pretended not to notice him each morning as he took his place beside her. What he did discover was that his wily new queen had been making adjustments to her dresses.

A smile slipped across his lips at the memory of the slit Mer had cut from hem to hip of her last dress. His mum had fretted over the expanse of skin the queen had been showing as she knelt. Raziel had to admire the spirit of his bride. She would not be molded, which was as irritating as it was intriguing.

Part of him couldn’t wait to see what she’d be wearing to the banquet, if just to watch how many feathers she ruffled.

“You both must be careful. You don’t have friends here,” Gideon reminded him.

That wiped the smile off Raziel’s face. He turned away from the tall oval mirror and strode across the lavish room Duke Keventin had provided for his visit. He lowered himself onto the gaudy gold divan at the foot of the bed and propped his elbows on his knees, Gideon sitting down at his side.

His friend clasped Raz on the shoulder. “You’re not alone.”

“I know.” Raziel cast a grateful smile to his friend. “Thank you for coming along.”

Gideon cracked a grin, mischief in his icy blue eyes. “And miss a chance to needle our good Duke Keventin? Never.”

“I have a feeling tonight will hold many vague threats.”

His friend arched a brow. “Do you really think he’d threaten you?”

Raz laughed jovially. “He’s been pushing against me since I was crowned. Amongst the tax cuts and time regulations for workers, he’s not going to want to budge on their pay.” He scowled at the rug embroidered with silver thread. “Between the fishing fleet and the orchards, his costs are going to soar when I propose this newest plan.”