“You are just like Uncle Wilmer,” I declared. “You need your life simple and you need someone else to make the decisions and take the responsibility.”

She lifted her chin. “My brother is a good man.”

“Maybe so,” I replied. “And some men might be good, but they should not be kings. And some women might be decent, but they should not be mothers.”

“Silence.” My name gusted out in a shocked breath.

“You will always have me, Mother. I will always have affection for you, and love. But I am a queen. I have a husband. He will, I hope, give me many children. I will always have responsibilities. You have a place in my life and my home. But I must warn you, you must understand your place. I cannot have the care of you. For you taught me one thing about which I agree. My husband comes first. But Mars taught me something far more important. For he will always come first, and when we make it, so will our family.”

With that, I stood and felt Jorie move and Mars unfold out of his chair beside me.

“I think with that, we should be done,” I proclaimed. “I will call to a servant to be certain a room is prepared for you. Then I will see you at dinner.”

And with a glance to True, who had also stood and was studying me proudly, and Farah, who was smiling encouragingly at me, I wrapped my fingers around my husband’s offered arm, and he walked me from the room.

Jorie followed us.

When we had exited, I stopped us and turned to my brother.

“Jorie, I can’t—”

He didn’t make me finish.

He bent low and kissed my cheek.

When he straightened, he said, “Well done, little sister. I’ll see you at dinner.”

I nodded.

He gave me a soft smile, turned and walked away.

Without a word, my husband led us to our bedchamber.

I disengaged from him when we were behind closed doors.

He stopped in the middle of the room and crossed his arms on his chest.

I went to the window and stared out at the grazing fields beneath the sheer cliffs outside Sky Bay.

“Silence?” Mars called.

“Was I too cold?” I inquired of the field. “Or should I ask? Should I think on it? Should I question a decision I made? An action I took? A word I uttered? I am queen. I should be decisive.”

“If you do not question and consider matters of import, before the doing of them, mio amore, as well as after, you will be a very bad queen.”

I looked to him, but I did not see him for my eyes were swimming.

And then I was in his arms.

I did not sob.

But I wept.

Mars allowed this for a bit, before he said into the top of my hair.