Aerity sensed warmth in front of her. Breath on her hands. She lowered them from her face. Paxton’s hands were on his hips.
“Don’t keep me out, Aer. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
She paused, knowing he would not like her line of thought. “You said he wants to marry me. . . .”
She could sense Paxton’s pulse rapid firing by the intensity of his set jaw. “Which is exactly why you should be kept away from him. The man is lethal and narcissistic.”
“Perhaps you’re not the only one who can play both sides.”
“Aerity.” He stepped closer. “This is not like when you faced the beast and I stood by and allowed it. I had hope inthat moment. When it comes to Prince Vito, there is no hope. He is the worst kind of monster.He. Cannot. Be. Charmed.”
Aerity sucked in a shaking breath as Paxton released her and began to pace. She gripped the edge of the desk behind her. What was she to do? Flee and hope for the best?
“I need to think,” she said softly.
He came to her and lifted her chin. Their eyes met and heat filled her.
“Promise you’ll consider what I’ve said.”
“I will.”
He kissed her forehead and left her with her jumbled thoughts. Aerity went around the desk and sat down in her father’s grand chair. She placed her elbows on the desk and her face in her hands.
Her father. He would never sit on this cushion again. He would never decide the fate of the lands. He would never again look to his loyal wife for her support. And her mother would never be there, filling the room with her calming strength.
Aerity wanted to cry, but the tears did not come. She knew if she broke down now she might not recover. There was no room in her life for weakness. She breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind and think straight.
Everything within her fought to stay in her rightful home, but the people she trusted were telling her to go. To protect herself. To let them clear the enemy from their midst so she might return and rule. And she knew that if she stayed,Vixie and Wyneth would stay as well. Their lives were her responsibility.
A quiet knock came just before the door opened. Aerity lowered her hands and saw Duke Gulfton, his watery eyes peering through the barely opened door.
“Come in, good sir,” she said.
He did, and as the door opened she noticed an empty hall.
“Where have my guards gone?”
He closed the door behind him. “There was smoke in the kitchen and a disturbance at the servant’s entrance.”
Aerity stood in a rush, but Duke Gulfton held a hand out as he walked to the desk.
“Everyone is on edge. Most likely burned bread and a fight between messenger boys. It is fine.” He leaned both hands against his staff. The man appeared heavily burdened, his eyes sagging and dark circled, his back more hunched than ever.
“I thought you had returned to your land,” Aerity said.
The duke nodded. “I did, briefly, but I am back. It does not feel safe there. As you know, my property neighbors the Kalorian border.”
“Of course.” Aerity shook her head. How had she not thought of that? Her father would have insisted the duke and his family stay in the castle or in a northern property.
“I hope your family has fled to safety,” Aerity said.
His face drooped, and it took him a moment to respond. “What will you do now, Your Majesty?”
Aerity swallowed. “Though it goes against my every instinct, I think I must leave until the war is over. Not to the Isle of Evie, though. Some place different. Do you have a suggestion?”
She expected him to be relieved by her choice, but he continued to look frightfully downtrodden. His voice was dry and raspy, and he appeared to fight for strength to speak.
“Your Majesty. There are certain things your father meant to tell you when it was time for you to reign someday. Secrets of the castle. I’m sure he thought he had more time. . . .”
