Chapter 105 Chapter 105: You're my wife
~ Liam's POV ~
I hurried to Raven's chambers immediately after my court sessions ended. Now, here I stood outside Raven's chambers, my hand raised to knock, but hesitating.
Through the door, I could hear her voice and Annie's, talking softly. They sounded so calm and peaceful, even. I didn't want to interrupt, but I needed to see her and hold her.
She's all I thought about during my meeting with my officials. Plus, I needed to see my wife before I did what had to be done today.
Finally, I knocked. The conversation inside stopped, and a moment later, the door opened. Annie stood there, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me.
"Your Majesty," she said, dropping into a curtsy.
"Is the queen available?" I asked.
"Of course." She stepped aside, letting me enter, then quietly excused herself from the room.
Raven stood by the window, and when she turned to look at me, my breath caught. Even in a simple day dress, with her hair loosely braided, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
But it was the smile that lit up her face when she saw me that truly affected me.
"Liam," she said warmly, crossing the room to meet me.
I pulled her into my arms, holding her close for a moment, breathing in her lavender and citrus scent. "Good afternoon, my love."
"Good afternoon." She pulled back to look at me, her hands resting on my chest. "Is everything alright? You look troubled."
I forced a smile. "Everything's fine. I actually came to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Would you like to go on a ride with me? Through the kingdom? I thought we could explore together, get away from the palace for a few hours."
Her face transformed, replaced by pure joy. "Really? You want to take me outside the palace?"
"Of course. You're my wife. I want to show you the kingdom."
She threw her arms around my neck, nearly knocking me backward with her enthusiasm. "Yes! Yes, I would love that!"
I laughed, holding her tight. "Good. We'll leave in an hour. Dress warmly, it's getting colder outside, and I want to take you to some places farther from the palace."
"I will. I'll be ready." She pulled back, her eyes shining with excitement. "Thank you, Liam. Thank you so much."
As I looked at her happiness, and how excited she was about something as simple as a ride through the kingdom, guilt dug into my chest.
How long had she been here? Months. And how many times had I taken her outside the palace walls? How many times had I shown her the kingdom, let her explore, let her feel like she belonged here?
Not enough it seems.
"Raven," I said softly, touching her cheek. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" She looked confused.
"For not doing this sooner. For not taking you out more, for not showing you the kingdom, for keeping you confined to the palace." My thumb stroked her cheek gently. "You've been so patient with me, but you deserve more than that."
She covered my hand with hers, pressing it against her face. "You were protecting me. So, I understand that now."
"Still. Things will be different from now on. I promise."
She smiled, standing on her toes to kiss me softly. "I believe you."
I kissed her again, unable to resist the pull of cherry red plump lips. I wanted to linger and explore more, but duty called, and some things couldn't be avoided.
"I need to go take care of something," I said when we finally pulled apart. "But I'll come back for you in an hour. Be ready."
"I will be." She was practically glowing with happiness, and it made what I was about to do even harder.
I left her chambers, nodding to Tate who stood guard outside. "Keep her safe."
"Always, Your Majesty," he replied.
I walked through the palace corridors, my footsteps loud. Servants bowed as I passed, but I barely noticed them. I had to find Dorian.
After all, today was the day they would be transporting Helena to the Northern border.
She hadn't died from the whipping. I'd known she wouldn't. Helena was strong, a trained fighter. Twenty lashes would hurt her badly, leave scars that would never fully fade, but they wouldn't kill her.
Her crime was a capital offense. Treason against the crown. By law, she should have been beheaded in the public square, her head displayed as a warning to others who might think to betray their king.
But I couldn't do it.
Every time I thought about giving the order, I saw her face from years ago. The girl who had fought so hard to become the first female knight in the kingdom's history. She had trained twice as hard as any man and had to prove herself over and over again.
Where had that girl gone? When had she become someone who could betray everything she'd once stood for?
I didn't have answers. Maybe I never would.
So instead of execution, I'd chosen exile. She would be taken to the Northern border, dumped outside the kingdom's protection, and left to survive on her own. It was mercy, some would say. Others would call it weakness.
I didn't care what they called it.
I turned a corner and nearly ran into Dorian coming from the opposite direction. He looked terrible, exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes and a haggard expression that made him look twenty years older.
"Your Majesty," he bowed, his voice rough.
"Dorian," I observed him, he looked more worn out than he should. "Have you slept at all?"
"Not much." He ran a hand through his hair, which was messy and unkempt. Not like him at all. Dorian was usually so put together. He must be feeling very guilty about Helena.
"Walk with me," I said, and he fell into step beside me.
We walked in silence for a few moments, heading toward the lower levels of the palace where the prison cells were located. Helena was being held until her transport.
"Are the preparations ready?" I asked, trying to make a conversation.
"Yes. The cart is ready. The guards are selected. We can leave within the hour."
"Good."
More silence. I could feel the tension coming off Dorian, could see the way his jaw was clenched tight, the way his hands kept forming fists at his sides.
"You don't have to do this yourself," I said quietly. "I can assign someone else to oversee her transport."
"No." His voice was firm. "It has to be me."
"Dorian…"
"It has to be me," he repeated, his voice breaking slightly on the last word.
I stopped walking and turned to face him. "You look like you're going to faint from exhaustion soon, Dorian.”
He looked away, his throat working as he swallowed hard. "She betrayed everything. The crown. The kingdom. You. Raven." His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Including me."
Ah. There it was. The heart of his pain.
I'd known for years that Dorian had feelings for Helena. Everyone knew, except maybe Helena herself.