The closer he looked the more Theo realized that she wasn't simply pale. She was looking positively green.
"My love, are you ill?" he whispered so that the courtful of people in the throne room would not hear him. He leaned over and gripped her free hand where it rested on the other arm of her throne.
Her wings fluttered with surprise and she raised her head to look at him, a false smile plastered on her face.
"I am fine," she assured him but Theo shook his head and rose to his feet.
"I am afraid your queen is ill," he called to the audience.
"No! I am fine," Fleur insisted but she gripped a hand to her chest as though the exclamation had almost made her sick.
"Court is at an end for today!" The king's advisor, Maximus, rushed forward and began to urge people from the throne room. Theo offered him a grateful glance before he returned to his wife. He moved to drop down onto his knees before her.
"My love, what is wrong?" he asked, gently holding both her hands. His gaze never left hers even when a couple of guards began to approach, looking as though they were ready to carry their queen to her chambers if she needed it.
"It is nothing I can't handle," Fleur insisted. She slipped a hand from his and cupped his face, a look of affection lighting her chocolate eyes. "You should not have dismissed them all. You've given me enough of your time recently."
"You are my wife, you deserve all of my time," Theo pointed out but Fleur was already shaking her head.
"Your people need you more than I do," she assured him. "I am well."
Theo wasn't convinced. All the color had drained from her face and she didn't appear to be able to sit up straight.
Did she have a fever? Was she sick? A million different explanations whirled through Theo's mind and he lifted his hand to touch her forehead. She didn't feel warm but he was still concerned.
He was about to open his mouth to question her again when the sound of feet rushing toward him caused them all to pause and look around.
A young boy wearing the green livery of the messengers dropped to his knees before the dais and held up an envelope above his head. "Your majesty."
Theo sighed deeply. He'd had quite enough of letters and correspondence to last a lifetime. Writing thank you notes and letters to the guests of their wedding had taken several weeks and now he couldn't seem to get on top of everything else.
"What is it?" he demanded when Fleur urged him to take the letter.
"Forgive the interruption, your majesty," Maximus said as he took the envelope from the boy. "It is marked urgent."
Raising his brow with curiosity, Theo rose from his knees and walked over to take the letter from the advisor.
The silver seal on the back of the envelope was oddly familiar to Theo and he broke it quickly, wondering what lay inside.
Dear King Theo,
I hope that you are well. I write to tell you that I regret our parting on such awful terms and I hope that we can put the past behind us.
I am to be married at the beginning of next month to Lord Wilhelm of the Winter Isle and I would very much like it if you and your wife would be our guests.
I wish to make amends for all that happened all those months ago.
Yours always
Lady Delilah
Theo's heart sank into his stomach as he read the letter and for a moment he thought not to tell Fleur.
"What is it?" the queen asked when she saw the disgusted look on his face.
"It is a letter from Lady Delilah," he said through gritted teeth. When he saw Fleur's eyes widen he began to scrunch up the letter. She quickly rose from her throne and moved to his side, grabbing the letter before he could make it unrecognizable.
"Married to a lord from the Winter Isle," Fleur remarked as she read.