11

"Okay. You win Jace, you fucking win. If it is power you promise, then I will do it without a fuss" I reply, knowing damn well it isn't such a stupid deal, only if he keeps his end of it.

"Power is in your midst, you'll be the Queen of Nightshades!" he says.

"No Jace, I'm talking about real power, not some fake power in front of the eyes of Nightshade, I am talking about power I can use for myself in any situation, if need be."

Jace pulls out his arm and rolls his sleeve, taking the small knife he keeps on the side of his hip and slashes his raw skin. I watch tentatively as he reaches for my arm.

"What the fuck are doing Jace?"

Without warning, he slashes my wrist and presses his bloody wrist on top of mine. He chants a brisk cantation and stops, reaching for my eyes. I pull away quickly in shock and pain, but more shock.

"I just performed the Act of Obligation," he says, wiping his wrist on a handkerchief. "That way I have kept my promise of being good to you as your King and husband, and giving you all you desire except divorce."

"So if I asked you to kill yourself, you would do it?" I say, and watch his eyes roll.

"I could kill myself a million times and come back to life only to taunt you, immortality is fun" Jace replies.

"That's unfortunate" I sigh. "Well, glad we could talk things over, I guess I'll see myself off."

"Wait Luna," he says, grabbing at my arm. Jace pulls me closer to him, but I keep a distance with my feet lodged into the ground. Just because we finally agreed on something does not mean all is well to start fucking again, even though my mind sort of brings back the memories of our past time together. No, this is not what I want anymore, a white lie I will repeat to myself until it feels true.

"I'll have someone come to your room to give you everything you need, her name is Mother Margarine, she usually tends to my things only but since we will be getting married soon, she will also tend to your needs."

I pull away from his grasp abruptly and nod with thanks, reaching for the door. Before I leave, I look back once more.

"No matter what happens, from here on, I am nothing to you but a woman with duty. I will not swoon over you, neither will I pretend to do so. Whatever we had before is gone, we will not speak of it. You established every possible way for me to not trust your words, your emotions, so I will establish a boundary now - we do not know each other outside our alliance."

"Luna," he replies.

Without another word, I leave the room, quite happy that I had the confidence to say something like that to him. It feels good in a way to get the past out the way and to actually talk about it in a way that shows him that yes I was hurt before, but now, I have moved on.

I find my way back to my chambers and notice that a plump woman is filling the bathtub with steamy water, followed by hints of lavender and rose aromas.

"Good Evening, your Majesty, I am Mother Margarine" she bows, her smile bright as she greets me.

"Oh please, call me Luna, I am not Queen yet."

"No matter!" she replies. "Come my sweet, I have prepared an aromatic bath for you, and on your bed I have left you creams and such to keep your skin supple, and new gowns for your comfort. I have also left a tray of food on your table, but if you want to eat with the Prince I can arrange that as well."

"No, no I am okay" I reply quickly. "Thank you for this all, Mother Margarine, I am truly grateful."

"Of course my dear, if you need anything else, do not be afraid to let me know. I have left a bell next to your tray, that will alert me just fine."

After she leaves, I take off my heavy garments and slip into the warmth, the sweet scents clouding my mind to relax. Maybe this is not as bad. I never got this sort of attention back home in Gardenia, I was barely a priority at all. But here, here I am highly known, more than just a Princess - a Queen. My mind drifts to Jace, and I halt. Should I explore what I feel for him? Probably not. It is an overcomplicated situation that doesn't need to be dealt with right now, or even at all. Sure, I had been dealt with a wrong hand at the beginning of all this, but at this moment I am beginning to appreciate where everything has led me. My Father's reaction to this will be an awkward one, but that again can be dealt with once he realizes the upgrade of my stature. I wonder what life will be like once I do become Queen. I have set my boundaries yes, but will those that reside in the Palace expect Jace and I to share a room and such? Who cares, since he's the one that came with this fraud, he must know what to do about it all. It is his kingdom and I am just a lucky prisoner.