“Hey.” I put my arms around Mom. “Did you ask him how he feels?”
“I asked him if he bloody well regretted taking a wife,” she replied.
“And?”
“And he said that he loves me still, and to just give him a bit of time.” Mom sighed and drew back to wipe her eyes. “Time. All we’ve had is time.”
“But he said that he still loves you,” I pointed out.
“That he did,” Mom said, then she fixed me with a motherly gaze. “Sara, don’t worry about me and your father—it’ll all work out. Go be with the man who loves you.”
Right. He was the last person I wanted to speak with at the moment, but my mom didn’t need to know that. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” I asked.
“Yes.” Mom smiled, and that was all the encouragement I needed. I scooped up my plums and headed inside, being careful to avoid both Sadie and Max along the way. I did not want to get wrapped up in any of their drama. Not tonight, anyway. I needed to clear my head.
When I reached Micah’s and my chambers, I found them empty, as I’d expected. He’d said that he needed to speak with the silverkin, and I figured that would take some time. I drew a hot bath, snacked on the plums I’d gathered, and tried to relax as much as possible before Micah came up for his “talk.”
By the time I hauled myself out of the tub, my flesh having gone pinky-red thanks to the super-hot water, I felt surprisingly calm. We’d both been angry, and we’d both said a lot we didn’t mean—we could talk through this. But when I stepped into our bedroom, prepared to set everything right, Micah still wasn’t there. I debated searching the manor for him, but I was warm and feeling positively boneless thanks to the bath. My exhaustion overwhelmed me. In a gesture of peace, I put on Micah’s favorite lavender nightie and snuggled into our bed. I knew he’d be beside me soon, and we’d figure everything out then.
When I awoke the next morning, I was still alone. Now I was officially freaking out—Micah was not one to break engagements, least of all with me. Before I could summon the silverkin and commence a countywide search, Micah himself stumbled through the bedroom door.
“Where have you been?” I demanded.
“Dealing with the ramifications of your sister’s refusal to pledge to Oriana,” he rasped. There were dark shadows under his eyes, and his voice was rough as if he’d been arguing for hours.
“Did you go back to the Gold Court?” I asked.
“I had to,” he replied. “My choices were limited—either return to the Gold Court and speak with Oriana directly, or have her warriors descend upon the manor.”
“Why didn’t you take me with you?” I didn’t want to be upset with him, but I couldn’t help it. I mean, I was Micah’s wife now. Wife, not some stupid consort! This was my business as much as his. Would he ever see me as his equal?
“I wanted you to stand beside me,” he replied. “Believe me, I did. I came to this room, intent upon telling you to make ready to meet with the queen, but when I saw you asleep in our bed, so peaceful, nothing in this world could have made me disturb you.” Micah paused to yawn, then added, “You are beautiful when you sleep, Sara.”
What girl could argue with that? I held out my arms, and Micah tumbled into my embrace. “Was it that bad?” I asked as I brushed back his hair and kissed his forehead.
“Yes.” He coughed, and rubbed his throat. I called for Shep and asked him to bring Micah some tea with honey.
“So, are we in trouble?” I asked, while the silverkin scurried off.
“Somewhat.” Micah rubbed his temples for a moment before he continued. “A fair few agree with your sister and consider Oriana unfit to rule. Those of copper would like to see Sadie on the throne.”
“You saw them?” I gasped. We’d suspected Oriana had forbidden others of copper from contacting us, though they still had managed to send gifts. In fact, our atrium was overflowing with them.
“A few. They are Sadie’s staunchest allies.” My heart swelled at that, but what Micah said next pretty much quashed it. “Then there are the rest.”
“The rest?” I repeated.
“Before Elementals were ruled by factions, there was a royal family,” Micah began. “Their lineage was recorded on a single charmed document, but it has been stolen. Apparently, it was stolen by those of copper.”
“Why would someone steal it?” I wondered.
“Those of copper claim that they stole the scroll because it substantiates Sadie’s right to rule,” Micah continued. “Those opposed to copper claim that copper stole it because it refutes her, and they wish to hide the fact. Until the scroll is located, no one will know.” Great. The only thing everyone agreed upon was that those of copper were a bunch of thieves.