Page 57 of Antiletum

“All I ever wanted was to protect you. Make youhappy.This was the only way I could.”

All that sincerity is disconcerting. Twisted rationality within Val truly believes that his actions were justified. Explains why he tried to convince me that grand gestures are subjective.

How very romantic of him.

With what frequency was Val watching me, throughout the last ten years, without me even knowing? That one visit I had to Omnitas as a girl was a more pivotal moment than I ever would have guessed. Everything about me, my life, changed that day.

If I don’t distract myself soon, I might just fall apart again, in the middle of the bustling street.

Breezing past my husband, my stroll resumes. My guards follow along wordlessly, like their Lord isn’t present.

The streets of Omnitas are hot, humid, and busy. The sun is high in the clear blue sky, bright and pure as a joyful baby’s grin. As if not a single atrocity has ever occurred in the world. Like it isn’t heating the trash and refuse running in the streets, steeping the stench of poverty and illness thick in the air.

Not even the ample flowers and scented oil lanterns can mask the smell.

Val follows in stride, worry washing over him anew in my blatant refusal to acknowledge his sentiment. “Delaney.”

Shock settles over my husband when I raise his arm so I might wind mine through it, instructing him to join me.

I cut him off briskly, before he can say anything. “It’s a lovely day, Valledyn. Walk with me.”

“You want me to accompany you?”

“That’s what I just said. Don’t a Lord and Lady often promenade through the city together?”

“That they do.” Val’s posture straightens, a small smile playing at his lips at my snark. “I’d be delighted.”

Both heat and cold race through my body, thrumming. An alive little thing. The chill of fury is strong—the fuel that’s keeping me going, keeping this demure smile plastered on my face. It has me squeezing Val’s arm, offering him a charmed grin.

The citizens of Omnitas begin to recognize the Lord and Lady in their midst as we stroll. I covered my obvious attire announcing my station in a light cloak for as long as I could in this heat, shedding it only moments before Val appeared. The pictures from our party haven’t been widely circulated yet, the images having only made it to the papers this morning, making me not as easily recognizable without Val.

Perfect.

“I would have joined you when you left this morning,” Val says. “We could have dined out, if you needed a change of scenery.” His statement is serious, confirming exactly what I expected. He stewed alone in his rooms, waiting for me to join him for breakfast. Oh, the arrogance.

I stroke a hand down his arm. “I was anxious to shop and didn’t want to bother you.”

“You could never be a bother. Anything in particular?” He nearly sounds charmed, glancing around at the lack of bags my guards carry.

“Just some pieces from the artisans of Omnitas. I’m having them delivered.” A last minute decision, after learning about my specific inheritance.

Val laughs. “Redecorating?”

I smile at him wide. “Something like that.” He smiles right back. Delighted as a dog given a treat after destroying something you love, entirely too eager for my forgiveness and attention.

Val’s voice drops lower, so only I can hear him. Gentle, but firm. “I understand you needed space this morning. But what came to light last night changed nothing. As long as you refuse to share our nights, wewillbegin our days together.”

The urge to tell him that his treachery came to light only minutes before I planned to close all distance between us, dangle it right in his face, is strong. He so nearly had me back in his bed.

“Yes, Valledyn. In some sense, nothing has changed.” Such as the strong, loving, united front we will put up as Lord and Lady. Husband and wife. Secretly preparing to resurrect Heartstones and return ourdeosfrom where they rest.

He’s taken aback by my quick acquiescence. “Very well, then.”

With every exchange, Val’s demeanor relaxes into a calm confidence. No need to bother correcting him right now.

Not out in the open with many watching eyes.

The determination of my ruse has me leaning into him often. Gentle touches landing on his chest, his shoulder. On top of his large hands as we walk and shop. With every small affection, Val practically buzzes with contentment. It floats over to me, skewing my focus. Enough that I have to keep reminding myself that he’s a murderer. That this isn’t real.