He nods agreeably. It’s all I can do not to laugh. He has the aspect of a schoolboy caught being naughty. From behind us comes a click as Killian audibly exits the room, letting us know we’re alone. I have no doubt that the onetime knight can move silently when he wishes to.
“What did you do to Tremaine? The truth this time, Alister.”
He sighs. “I beat your stepfather to death and fed his body to the monsters in the moat. I didn’t intend to kill him. I knew he’d hurt and abused you, which was unforgivable, but I thought he could accept his punishment and issue a proper apology. But he wasn’t at all apologetic. The things he said about you…”
“Such as?”
“Trust me, darling, you don’t want to know.” Mixed in with the grief in his eyes, I read sorrow, anger, and regret. “Suffice it to say, things got out of hand. My only regret is that I didn’t make him suffer longer.”
Dismay curdles in my stomach. He knows I didn’t want Tremaine hurt. Yet part of me is viciously thrilled that after being overlooked and forgotten for so long, one person fought for me. “But then you realized you had a problem. You needed his permission to marry me. So you lied.”
He lifts one shoulder and lets it fall. “It’s what I do, Elinor. Court is rarely a place for truth-telling.”
“You mean, lying is part of diplomacy.” I take a deep breath.
“Yes.”
“Which we will need if Belterre is to survive the coming conflict with Isanthia and the fae.”
He nods again. I slip my arms around his waist. He holds me close, his breath stirring my veil, tickling my hair along my temple.
“I suppose I shall have to learn how to become a better liar myself, if statecraft requires such methods.” I sigh. Forgiving him so easily, already, when there is still one thing I need to say.
“You’ve already lied about your identity. When it comes to protecting those you love, you will resort to any low tactic, Sunshine. Just as I will. We’re ruthless, you and I, in our different ways.”
I think back to the day when I went into the village and lied to the baker about being happy at home. About the fibs I told the night of the ball. He’s right. I have a tenuous relationship with the truth when it suits me, too.
Perhaps, I’ll do just fine at court. I have always known that there is strength in kindness and endurance. Fighting doesn’t always mean clashing steel. Sometimes, it’s only the will to never give up despite overwhelming odds. I possess that kind of strength in spades. We will need it in the coming days.
But first I must finish fighting my own battle, here at home.
“What hurts the most, Alistair, is that the apology ‘Tremaine’ gave me before our wedding meant everything to me. Yet it was just another lie.”
He hangs his head. Takes a deep breath before answering me.
“I asked Maxine to tell you what I felt you needed to hear. You never would have gotten an apology from him directly.” He kisses my knuckles. “None of that should ever have happened to you. I wish you hadn’t found out and you could believe in his sincere regret.”
“Did he express remorse when you were…” I can’t bring myself to saybeating him to death.
Alistair shakes his head. “Nothing but excuses to the last breath.”
I inhale sharply, my diaphragm contracting so hard that a pinch of pain radiates across my ribs. “I believe you.”
“You shouldn’t have to question my veracity,” he says bitterly. I lean against his shoulder. He embraces me, stroking my back. “I may lie for you, but I never to you. If I raise my fists in anger, it will be to protect you and our children, if we are so blessed. Nothing bad will ever happen to you again. I promise. I won’t allow it.”
I believe that, too. Still, a nervous chuckle bursts out of me. “How do I know you’re not lying again?”
Alistair scoops me into his arms, my beautiful gown trailing to the floor.
“Because you are mine now, Sunshine, and I protect what belongs to me. You. Belterre. Its people. All of it is under my watch, now. Statecraft may require me to speak half-truths or outright lies, but they will always be in service to your well-being.”
I twine my arms around his neck and brush a kiss to his cheek. “You’ll be a great king, Alistair. I believe in you. Whatever comes.”
26
ALISTAIR
To my relief and sorrow,my father’s funeral takes precedence over public wedding celebrations, leaving me and Elinor largely to ourselves for the first few weeks of our marriage. Rather than public parades and feasts, Belterre City is swathed in black crepe with flags flown at half-staff, where they shall remain for the next three months, in accordance with tradition.