“I am King Mars, yes?” Mars stated, tossing his huge body into a full lounge on the daybed beside me. “Two syllables. Easy to remember,” he teased Tril and then fell slightly back so he could lift a long arm at the end of which was a hand that he used to extricate Piccola from my hair.

“Very easy, uh, King Mars,” Tril replied.

“And no bobbing,” Mars went on. Having taken hold of my monkey, he was now allowing Piccola to grasp one of the thick leather straps across his chest. “It’s awkward in a home. Parts of this palace are governmental, but this chamber is a part that’s home.”

“I…yes, it is,” Tril whispered.

Mars lifted his dark gaze to my friend.

“And it’s my understanding you are family, no?”

Oh, by the gods.

Was I…

Melting?

I stared at my new husband who was lounging at my side, his head nearly in my lap, his gaze still on my Tril.

“I…I love your queen very dearly, King Mars,” Tril said quietly.

“Then this is decided,” Mars murmured, removed Piccola from his strap and brought my wee thing to his face “How do you feel about this, Piccola?” he asked.

Oh yes.

I was melting.

Piccola chirruped.

“Very smart,” Mars agreed then returned my monkey to me, his head tipping far back so he could catch my eyes. “Don’t be long, bellezza. It’s time to do something about those shadows under your eyes.”

“All right, Mars,” I whispered.

“I’m sending a boy for passionflower mint tea. Anything else you desire?” he asked, pushing up from the daybed.

“I—”

“Sir, uh, King Mars, my lady likes chamomile before bed,” Tril put in.

I held my breath after my Tril said this, contradicting a king.

He did naught but look at me. “Do you prefer this, Silence?”

“I’ve never had passionflower mint. Why don’t I try both?” I replied, only for him to smile largely.

“My queen. A diplomat. Over tea,” he muttered. “It’ll be done.”

Then he turned, but instead of moving aside the sheers, he twisted back to look at Tril.

“Did you enjoy the wedding?” he asked.

“I…yes, it was beautiful, King Mars. And that view was stunning. I’ve never seen the like. Please, thank your mother for, um…seeing to me.”

“My mother,” he murmured pensively. “I’ll be sure to do that.”

And with that, he swept aside the sheers and strode out.

But with that, I knew, it might have been Elpis who had seen to Tril having a special place at our wedding.

But she did it at her son’s request.

This did not make me feel like I was melting.

This did not make me feel afraid.

This made me feel as I had felt but twenty-four hours earlier.

Like I was falling in love.