The Shadows Between Us

by Tricia Levenseller

When a man sees something that several other men want, he can’t help but want it, too.

MmMmMm. tsk tsk tsk

He swallows the bite in his mouth. “Alessandra Stathos, that’s positively despicable.” He says the words like they’re the highest compliment he can give me. “You are an absolute gem, do you know that?” My whole body warms at the praise.

Awww he shouldn't have such a sweetheart he is

The poets can say whatever they damned like. A woman’s worth is not decided by what’s between her legs but by what is in her mind.

Oop clock that tea

“Have you ever been in love?” “No,” he says. “Not ever. What’s it like?” “Horrible.”

Ohhhhh Welp

“What are you looking at?” “That should be obvious. Perhaps you’d like to ask me what I’m thinking instead?” His eyes are liquid fire, and I wonder just how dangerous it might be to ask that very question. But I do anyway. “I’m thinking,” he answers, “that you are quite beautiful, and every man at this table wishes he were me right now.” My stomach starts to flutter. “You are king. Every man does wish he were you.” “No. Every man wishes he had you at his side.” “You said I wasn’t beautiful enough to be tempting,” I remind him. He takes his napkin from his lap and brushes his fingers against it. “I lied. You’re the most stunning thing to ever set foot in my palace.”

Heehe he got me giggling

“I think that when you care enough for someone, you reach a point where it’s far more painful not to have him at all than to have him and risk losing him. You realize the risk is worth it. Because happiness, however short-lived, is always worth it.”

wow that's such a beautiful way to think about things

Lady Zervas hasn’t bothered to match my theme. I suppose it would be stranger if she did. I doubt there’s anyone in the world who bears more ill will toward the late queen than the other woman who competed for the king’s heart. The woman who lost.

you know I'm not very trusting of her. I know she loved the king and such she just has bad vibes. 🙂‍↔️🫣

“I want a life with you, Alessandra, one without the shadows between us.

that's so poetic even tho he's serious

“Take her,” the first guard says, and the other two flank me, each grabbing one of my arms, and start physically pulling me toward the doorway. “What do you think you’re doing?” Rhoda yells from behind me. “That’s the future queen. Unhand her at once.”

uh oh he KNOWS like he KNOWS, KNOWS

“Don’t worry. You won’t be gone long.” I reach for what I can find. A small purse of money. My favorite jacket to protect me from the cold. “You saw how angry he was.” “Give me some time to talk with him. You’ll be back at court, this time on my arm, in no time.”

AAAAAAAAAÀAAAHHHHHHHHH THIS POOR MAN HE DESERVES SO MUCH BETTER MY GOD AAHHHH

And then Leandros—Xanthos—narrows his eyes at me.

the gasp i gusped when I figured this out I can't believe I felt bad for him 😒

My husband is taking too long to die.

i knew it she wants him dead as soon as I saw her talking about her husband dying in the letter she sent Alessandra I knew but obviously for good reason he's an old wrinkly perv probably

How could she have won? She didn’t do anything! She didn’t earn it.

didn't earn it? girly please I was sitting over here feeling sorry for you but then you come up in here and talk bad about Alessandra hecks to the no