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Jao and stepped to the side Henry crossed the hall toward me, and unlike Jaain?" I said, unable to keep the frostiness out of my voice Henry either pretended not to notice or was too distracted to care

"I am f ine" He nodded toward the double doors behind me "I will escort you in We should not keep the rest of the council waiting"

That was the last thing I was concerned about, but when Henry offered me his arm, I took it At this rate, it was the most contact I’d have with hih the doors, and Henry stared straight ahead as aited I watched hins that he’d been attacked again, but he was as co his neife devote her life to helping him rule the Underworld was an everyday occurrence

My chest tightened I couldn’t e If he wasn’t going to trust me, if he didn’t want oing on with Calliope, I have a right to know"

"You do," he said "I assure you, as soon as we get a "

"We have a ht, not on the cusp of the e irrevocably forever But that was exactly why I had to do this "It doesn’t feel like you trust me or--or want me here, and I need to know that you do And if you don’t, then we don’t have to do this"

Henry hesitated I watched hiave nothing away "If you don’t want to--"

"I do," I said, desperation clawing inside of me "I want to stay I want to do this I want to be with you I don’t kno to make that any clearer But I need you to want it, too, okay? Please, just tell me you want me here so I can do this"

I expected silence in return, and when he didn’t answer, I started to turn away from the doors

Henry’s hand stopped me

"Kate," he said softly "It has been a diff icult day, and I ah this afternoon However, no s become, no matter how much time it takes for both of us to adjust to this new life, never doubt that I want you here You are capable and insightful, and you are better suited to stand beside me as my queen than any mortal I have ever known" My heart sank His reasons were rational, but had no heart If Henry had his way, I was certain that his queen was all I would ever be to hi the issue He’d answered me

"Thank you," I said as h, but he needed tih What happened if he decided he could never love me as more than a friend after all?