"I'll become a queen of ice and silence, I suppose."
"You can't just go silent, Celia! You're too rare and brilliant a woman for that. You deserve to show everyone what you're capable of. And Havietten needs you in return, because lord help us all when Tobin takes the fucking crown."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. Lucas's praise of her intelligence had, for a time, made her feel like she was capable of anything. She loved him for that, for making her believe she could be more than she was.
Just another dream she'd have to let go of.
Celia's ears prickled at the murmur of noise coming from behind the garden wall. The sound became a little louder, telling her that someone else was approaching.
She locked eyes with Lucas and a thread of silent understanding passed between them.
He quickly moved to one side of the stone bench, to place a polite distance between them. She smoothed out her veil and sat up straight, her face serene.