Chapter 7

-Kit-

Once I admit defeat on my food, after only a few mouthfuls, the queen leads myself and Trynnian to another room. The ceiling is high, like everywhere in the palace, with light green walls and soft mint furniture.

Nobody follows us in, for which I am very grateful. The queen introduces herself as Cordiana, and I hesitantly say the name aloud when she asks me to. “So, Kit. I hope you managed to say goodbye to your family all right. I’m sure you must miss them terribly.”

That’s right. She thinks I arrived from my home. I nod, not trusting my voice not to break if I say anything. Trynnian glances between us, his hand still holding mine. “What do you mean, mother? He never had the chance to say goodbye.”

I inhale sharply. I’d hoped he wouldn’t mention anything, but I suppose her knowing wouldn’t be the worst. “Oh no - did you have to leave suddenly?”

Trynnian blinks at her, before it dawns on him also. “You didn’t know.” She looks at us, confusion clouding her brown eyes. My husband laughs hollowly. “That actually reassures me. If you’d known about what was going on, I’d lose a lot of faith in you,” he says honestly.

Cordiana gasps, motioning for Trynnian to continue. “Kit was a prisoner of war for the past five years. Mother they- they treated him and the other prisoners awfully. And that’s not even the end,” he continues.

The queen has tears in her eyes as she springs from her seat to wrap her arms around me, crying on my shoulder just as Trynnian had a few hours ago. I barely even wince at the pain as her arm connects with my wounds, but Trynnian can already tell when I’m hurting.

He smoothly moves her arm, explaining that I’m injured. That only makes her cry more. Eventually, she pulls back, but stays sitting next to me. Trynnian bites his lip, thinking something over.

“I have to tell you both something. I was going to keep it to myself, but Kit deserves to know, and I think mother, you do as well.”

We both nod, and I barely even flinch as Cordiana takes my free hand in hers. My husband sighs, his grip tightening on my hand. “I would do anything for father. So long as it isn’t truly awful. He knows I’d do anything, which is why he asked this of me.”

The queen and I share a look, and I’m surprised that I feel so comfortable around her, but she reminds me of my own mother. “What did he ask you to do, sweetie?” She asks, encouraging him to continue.

“He ordered me to kill Kit.”

I freeze, adrenaline instantly blaring through my system as I become hyper aware of how close Trynnian and I are sitting. He knows I’m weak, he could kill me easily.

A soft hand strokes my cheek, and I snap my eyes up to meet Trynnian’s. “I would never hurt you, Kit. I won’t do as he says. But you both need to know that father doesn’t want peace - he wants domination.”

Cordiana nods gravely. “I had suspected he wasn’t playing fair, when he was so rude to Kit earlier. Even if he dislikes werewolves, to treat his own son-in-law like that is appalling.” She pats my hand, smiling.

“Don’t worry sweetie, I’ll make sure you’re kept safe. Trynn would never hurt you, and my husband is an idiot for thinking he would blindly follow him no matter what.”

Soon after, she hurries us back to Trynnian’s room, explaining that she’ll put some of her own connections to use to ensure my safety at the castle. Once the prince and I are alone in the room, I can’t stop myself from thinking how easy it would be for him to kill me.

Trynnian squeezes my hand gently. “I would never do it. Before I met you, I admit, I considered it. But only because I didn’t want to defy my father, and because I thought I would hate you.” I nod, dragging my gaze up to his.

“Kit, I want you to know that I’m serious about trying to make us work. You’re my husband, and yeah we only met today, but I think I have feelings for you. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”

I can’t stop a small smile from capturing my face, and I feel a blush begin to spread. “I think I like you too,” I whisper. Gentle fingers guide my face up, and Trynnian leans in, placing his lips on mine softly.

When he moves backwards, I notice we’re both smiling. “Oh. That was nice,” I say quietly. He grins, sliding his hand back into mine. “I agree. We are married, and I suppose spouses kiss each other occasionally,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

A small laugh leaves my lips, and the sound startles Trynnian, before he laughs with me. It doesn’t take me long to realise that we’ll be sharing a bed, and part of me was scared, but part was glad for the contact.

For me, contact either meant comfort or hurt, depending on who was giving it. But Trynnian, my husband, wouldn’t hurt me. And I’m beginning to truly believe that. It scares me, frankly. I haven’t trusted someone in so long, and now, day one of meeting this man, and I already trust him more than I’d like to think.

Climbing under the covers, I practically sank into the mattress. Trynnian laughs brightly, lying on his side as he watches me curl up under the duvet. “Is being in my bed that nice?” We both blush and look away, before I answer his question, ignoring the connotations of it.

“It’s been a while, I sort of forgot what it’s like,” I say with a chuckle. Trynnian reaches out, placing a gentle hand on mine. “You’ll never have to go back to that,” he says softly. I nod, but frown. “Do you think…the other wolves - with this treaty thing - will they get let out?”

He shrugs, giving my hand a small squeeze. “We can hope. How about I try and find out tomorrow?” I nod enthusiastically, smiling at my husband. He shuffles forward, kissing my forehead before lying down, not too close or too far from me.

I squiggle forwards, pushing against him. Taking the hint, Trynnian cuddles up against me, and I sink into his warmth and comfort, falling asleep in the best mood I have since I was captured.