Part 4 (2/2)
Indeed, it was business with Adron's father that had them on Kirovar to begin with.
Now that the two men were together, she saw the similarities between father and son. Nykyrian had the same white-blonde hair, the same firm, sculpted jaw. They also shared an identical height and build.
”Is this true?” her father demanded angrily. ”Are you his wife?”
Livia swallowed. If she said yes, Andarion law would recognize them as married.
”Adron,” his father said sternly. ”Do you understand what you're doing.”
Adron turned to face her. He tilted her chin until she looked up into his icy blue eyes. ”It's entirely up to you.”
Aghast at his offer, she stared at him. She'd never known a man so honorable. He could have left her to her father's wrath and yet here he was offering her sanctuary.
”Are you sure about this?” she whispered.
”No,” he said with a hint of a smile. ”But then, I've never been sure about much of anything in my life.”
She looked to her father's angry face, and her brother's. If she went home, they would have her beaten until she pa.s.sed out. But if she stayed....
She had no idea what that would be like.
The known or the unknown.
”Take her,” her father ordered.
Adron put himself between them.
”Nykyrian, tell your son to step aside. He is interfering with royal Vistan business.”
For the first time, Livia noticed the deep, angry scars bisecting Adron's body. His back was completely covered by them. It looked as if someone had once carved him into pieces.
Then, her gaze fell to the dragon and dagger tattoo on his left shoulder that marked him as a League a.s.sa.s.sin.
She trembled. She knew absolutely nothing about him.
Nothing except for the kindness of his touch. Nothing except for the way he had made her feel when he kissed her. The way he made her feel wanted. Safe.
And in that instant, she made up her mind.
”What happens to me is the business of my husband,” she said quietly.
Her father's face turned to stone. ”Then your ties to our house are severed.” He glanced at her brother. ”Come, Prinam.”
Her brother's features softened a degree before he caught himself.
Without a word, he followed her father from the room.
Nykyrian stepped forward with an amused light in his green eyes.
”Some things must run in our blood.”
Adron frowned. ”I beg your pardon?”
”Ask your mother one day how we ended up married.” He looked to Livia. ”In the meantime, welcome to our family, Highness.”
Adron's frown deepened as he regarded his father suspiciously.
”You're being awfully understanding about all this. Should I be afraid?”
Nykyrian laughed. ”Probably. I hope this means you'll rejoin the world again. We've missed you.”
A tick started in Adron's jaw.
His father's face was kind and not the least bit judgmental as he smiled at Livia. ”You know, you'll have to bring her to the palace to meet the rest of your wayward siblings.”
”And Mom?”
He nodded.
Something strange flickered across Adron's features. Something Livia couldn't define, but it looked as if Adron wanted to avoid his mother.
”When?”
”Tonight.”
”Will Jayce be there?” Adron asked.
”He is your brother.”
Hatred flared in Adron's eyes. ”He's your son. He ceased to be my brother the day he refused to uphold the League's Code.”
Nykyrian sighed, then looked to Livia. ”I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into.”
The bad thing was, she didn't.
Nykyrian left them.
Now that they were alone, the reality of what she'd done came cras.h.i.+ng down on her.
She was married.
To a stranger.
”Well, isn't this interesting,” Adron said, turning to face her. ”I don't know about you, but when I went to The Golden Crona last night, I never intended to find a spouse.”
She laughed. ”Since I was there to avoid one, I can honestly say that never crossed my mind either.”
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