“I almost wish they would so we could end all of this. One death arrow spell…” Lady Brelynn paused. “How are you going to make the announcement?”
Sapphire ignored the death arrow comment, though it made her wonder if the duchess had ever cast such a spell. “People will see me there with Sir Matthias, so the gossips will wonder if the rumors about us being married are true. I’ll gush about the wedding, and it’ll spread through your party before the moon zeniths.”
“I was planning to make a formal announcement. Introduce you and all that.”
“You don’t have to go to such a fuss.”
“Of course I do. This is for you and Sir Matthias. Lady Brighton tried to explain it all, and I’m guessing you understand it better than I do.” Lady Brelynn frowned. “You are happy, aren’t you? Sir Matthias is the second-best man I know.”
“Of course I’m happy.” Sapphire stared down at her slippered feet.
“You don’t sound happy.”
“Things are complicated.”
“I know all about complicated. You don’t waltz into Aerius married to the Hero of Tamryn without complications.”
Sapphire chuckled. “I hadn’t considered that, but I suppose not.”
“Focus on Sir Matthias and your love for each other, and to the seven hells with the rest of them. May make some things harder, but not the important stuff.”
“I will do everything in my power not to hurt him.”
“Better yet, do everything in your power to love him and make yourselves happy.” Lady Brelynn squeezed Sapphire’s hands again. “I have to go do whatever it is Lady Brighton is making me do before the ball. Just remember that circumstances may be less than ideal, and the Twins are fickle, but sometimes They give us what we need even if it’s not what we wanted.”
Sapphire watched the duchess leave, then sank to her seat.
How could Lady Brelynn understand when Sir Marcus so loved and doted on her? They were meant to be together. Sir Marcus hadn’t married her because Brelynn needed his protection.
Sapphire touched the crystal tear drop she still wore around her waist.
She missed her father more than ever. He would’ve liked Matthias. Would’ve been proud to call him his son-in-law, and he would’ve loved Matthias’s extended family.
She wished her father was there to celebrate. To laugh at her fears. To remind her this was just another beginning, another adventure, and she’d chosen the right person to accompany her.
Except, she wouldn’t be married to Matthias if her father were still alive.
Memories of her time with Captain Darrington washed through her, both easing and intensifying the ache.
Tears stung Sapphire’s eyes, and she swatted them away. She would not cry. Not now.
She heard the handle of her door snick, and she climbed to her feet expecting to find Sir Matthias.
Instead, eyes dark as coal peered at her from under a shock of silver-white hair as her stepfather stood in the doorway.
Sapphire swallowed hard and scanned her room for her father’s sword.
Chapter 28
Lord Bartley locked the door behind him.
Sapphire stood and positioned her chair between them as she glanced at the heavy candlesticks above the mantel. “You don’t belong here.”
“Neither do you. Social climbing doesn’t suit you.”
“What do you want, Bartley?”
“No need to rush.” He flashed a dazzling smile colder than a glacier. “This could be enjoyable, if you let it.”
Sapphire’s eyes narrowed. By now, the first guests would be arriving. Sir Marcus and Lady Brelynn wouldn’t hear her if she screamed, and she was certain Mara was with them.
“Why?”
“Not my first choice.” He leered at her. “But not unpleasant, though your mother was far more beautiful than you.”
“You didn’t love my mother.”
He barked a laugh. “Love is for commoners and idiots.”
Sapphire had never believed that, and Sir Marcus and Lady Brelynn proved it. But Rashalee would. There could be no room for love in worshipping her.
Lord Bartley sauntered across the room until only the chair separated them. “Are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way?”
“I’m already married to Sir Matthias. You can’t ruin me.”
“But after I’m done with you, you’ll be damaged goods. I’ll tell everyone we’ve been having an affair since your mother died, and your silly Knight of Valor will have no choice but to leave you to keep his standing in the Dragon Church. Then you’ll marry me to atone for your sins and so any respectable hostess will allow you in her ballroom.”
Her stepfather was a deranged idiot. “Sir Matthias won’t leave me.”
“You have too much faith in that Knight. Everyone has their price, even him, and Lord Carsons will find it.”
“Like he found yours?”
Lord Bartley sneered. “You’re a fool not to fall in line with their plans. There are far worse things than marrying a titled gentleman.”
“If you kill me, or if I disappear, all my wealth goes to the churches of the Holy Trinity. You won’t get a single copper piece, and neither will whoever is pulling your strings.”
Lord Bartley snarled and lifted his hand to slap her, but Sapphire dodged back toward the mantelpiece and grabbed the heavy silver candlestick. It had neither the balance nor reach of a sword, but she’d used one to good effect already.
Lord Bartley roared and tossed aside her chair, splintering the delicate legs as he charged at her.
Sapphire’s hands shook, but she remembered what Mara had taught her and waited. As Lord Bartley lunged for her, she hit him as hard as she could with the candlestick, then dodged backward to avoid his fist.
He yelped and dropped to his knees, blood pouring from his mouth and jaw.
“You whore!” He forced himself back to his feet. His nose was disjointed, and he spit blood.
Hatred twisted his face, and fear coiled in Sapphire’s stomach. Lord Bartley broke off a leg of the already damaged chair and stalked towards her.
Sapphire backed away, searching for an escape. With his greater size and strength, she couldn’t hope to beat him with just a candlestick.
A tingle of the divine whispered across her, and the door to her room slammed open.
Lord Bartley turned as Sir Matthias charged, his sword drawn.
“Get away from her.”
Lord Bartley didn’t move.
Sapphire hefted the bloody candlestick, her hands trembling as her stepfather considered his choices.
“Your family is alone and unprotected far away from Aerius,” he chided. “How much are you willing to risk?”
“You tried that once.” Sir Matthias’s sword flamed white with the holy light of Dracor. “The only reason you are still alive is because I am not certain if I’m enacting justice or taking revenge by killing you. Now get away from her!”
Sapphire found the holy light beautiful, if intimidating, but Lord Bartley couldn’t bear it. He shielded his eyes as he edged away from them toward the door.
Sir Matthias let him go, positioning himself between Sapphire and her stepfather.