“Alessia…just be quick about it,” I say, refusing to look her in the eye.
“I want to make a deal with you. A different one from before.”
Now, this is worth forgoing embarrassment over. I look right in those crystalline blue eyes, seeing them shift as they meet my gaze. She holds it unblinkingly as she speaks.
“I initially chose you as my groom, thinking you would keep the public happy and entertained while I worked to improve the nation. Now, as much as I’d love to force you into that role, I see a better opportunity for the both of us, one where we each get what we want.”
“I’m listening,” I say, relaxing my tight shoulders.
“If you help me establish myself as queen—as in making a big change that benefits the future of our nation—I will let you do whatever you want for the rest of your life. No responsibilities other than those forced on the both of us, such as annual festivals and religious ceremonies.”
My mouth drops open. “You’re joking.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” Alessia asks.
“No, not at all.”
In fact, Alessia looks more serious than I’ve ever seen her. Her jaw is set, her gaze unwavering, and her hands clasped firmly together. She’s determined to get this done, whatever it takes. A small smile works itself across my face.
“You know, our nation is lucky to have you as its queen. You’re more dedicated than all the queens before you.”
“Do we have a deal?” Alessia prompts, holding out her hand.
“Deal.”
I take her hand, giving it a firm shake. She holds my hand there, and to my surprise, she takes her other hand, places it over our interlocked fingers, and casts a perfect promise spell. A letter from our ancient language appears on the backs of both our hands, glowing a bright orange, then fades slowly until they disappear altogether, the spell complete.
“Perfect. I don’t even have to hold you to it. Rest assured that I will follow through on my end of the deal,” Alessia says.
She gets up to leave, drying her feet before she leaves. She pauses on the bathmat, her face going pink once more.
“Oh, and…by the way, you really do have a perfect build, Aurelio.”
She scrambles out the door before I can stop her. I sit there, blinking stupidly, feeling my body grow hot all over.
“Damn it, Alessia,” I groan.
I drain the water, turning it all the way cold once more.
Chapter nine
Alessia
It’s time to make my big first move as queen of Celestia.
I’m going to talk to my sister.
“Um…Alessia?”
“Yes?”
“Why did I not know you had a sister?”
I frown, glancing at Aurelio over my shoulder as I walk. “Did you seriously pay that little attention in school? Every royal family must send off their second born to the Holy Church to be trained as the Hero of Celestia. Daelia has been training to defend the nation and uphold our religious values since the day she was born.”
Aurelio chuckles nervously, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t pay attention to anything in school, actually. The political system is self-explanatory, but I’m missing the finer details.”
I roll my eyes. That sounds in character for him, as far as I can tell. I grab his hand and pull him under a tavern’s gazebo, where a few people are eating an early lunch at one of the many round tables. I choose a seat by the exit and signal for Aurelio to join.
