Cathedral (Cradle of Darkness 1)

A virgin. A husband.

Too rough, biting and vicious, and everything I might ever want.

Utterly in love, ruined by it, I took that throne as Malcom directed the rebuilding of my Cathedral, belly swollen with our firstborn. Who kicked like a fiend.

I was not a biddable queen. I was not amenable. I reordered with violence yet could be gentle as a lamb. Marie brought me cake. To her, I offered grace.

Eventually friendship, even with her despicable mate, Gustavo.

Hating that throne, I kept to my husband, his council, and his attention. He lavished me with far more than wisdom and pleasure.

Malcom made me new. Made all of it bearable.

Until it began to fit. And the Cathedral began to glow with more than electric light.

Internal peace, a thing my people had been starved for.

I gave birth on a Sunday, in the beautiful room Malcom had designed for me. We named our daughter Eithne—Pict for princess. Our ruby. Her eyes a far brighter red than mine.

And as her father slept, I took her out to see the sun.