Starcrossed - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,61

known, Tigh is the least pretentious. Even my own beloved Theotren always took too much for granted.”

Ginny realized then, that this woman wasn’t Tigh’s grandmother. If she’d been married to Emperor Theotren, she was the Empress Rilanda, Tigh’s great-grandmother!

“You’ve worked it out, have you?” Empress Rilanda smiled at Ginny as she sat down in an overstuffed chair. Tigh moved to a sideboard and poured three glasses of what looked like some kind of wine. He served his grandmother first, then Ginny, and kept the final glass for himself. “I helped raise Tigh and Elius, just as I helped raise their father, Renalt. There’s not much for old empresses to do when their husbands die and their sons take over. Tigh still calls me Nana in private, but in public, I prefer ‘Grandmother’. I need no reminder that I am ‘great’.” The old lady chuckled as she sipped from her glass.

“I understand, ma’am. I never knew my great-grandmother, but my own grandmother preferred not to hear that word. She said it made her feel old. So, we called her Nonny,” Ginny admitted as Tigh urged her to sit. “This isn’t alcoholic, is it?” she asked him, referring to the glass she held.

“Barely,” he admitted. “But it’s safe for the babies, if that’s what you’re asking. I would never give you anything that could hurt them. Try it. It’s a drink first bottled for women’s tastes, but I like it too. Nana served it to Elius and I when we were just teens.”

Ginny took a cautious sip and was pleased by the burst of fruity flavor that hit her tongue. “It’s delicious.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Tigh grinned at her, as did his grandmother. They spent the next hour getting acquainted. Tigh checked discreetly on the arrivals of the rest of Ginny’s crew members, assured by his household staff that they’d all been welcomed and shown to their rooms along with their bags. The ladies were reported to have declined the help of adult male servants, but without fail, each allowed some of the dowager’s page boys to help them unpack. He was warmed by the thought. Those little boys had flocked to his Nana—the one rare source of maternal presence in their short, troubled lives. It was a good sign that the Velkir seemed to understand and were already showing compassion for the youngsters.

“Your crew are unpacking in their quarters, Ginny,” Tigh said as he returned to the ladies. He could tell his Nana was tired, though the old lady would never admit to any such weakness. “I think we should do the same. I had your belongings moved to my suite. I hope you don’t mind. We’re not married according to your laws yet, but mated pairs in our society are not kept apart.”

“I don’t mind, Tigh. I came here to be with you.” Ginny rose, following his lead beautifully. She tucked her smaller hand in his. “Will we see you at dinner, ma’am? I hear there’s a celebration planned.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” The dowager smiled broadly.

They took their leave in short order, and Tigh’s pulse leapt as he drew nearer the emperor’s suite. They’d have an hour or two to themselves, and he knew just how he wanted to spend that time.

He stopped beside a large doorway attended by two liveried soldiers. He bent down and swept Ginny into his arms, picking her up before nodding to the men to activate the portal.

“What?” she asked breathlessly as he hoisted her into the air. She had a smile on her face but was clearly caught by surprise.

“I read up on your customs, my love. I am merely carrying my bride over the threshold of our new home. It’s supposed to bring good luck. Personally, I think we can use all of that we can get.”

Ginny laughed as he crossed into the emperor’s suite. He was glad he could make her smile. He lived for her smiles.

“Oh, Tigh, this is beautiful.”

Tigh set her down and looked around the front room of the suite. It was the one place he’d left intact after returning to the palace. It was his one reminder of happier times with his brother and sister-in-law. Tigh remembered those first few months after Elius had taken the throne and how excited Marla had been to redecorate everywhere in the palace, including this room—the drawing room to Tigh’s old suite.

Marla had been friend to both brothers as they grew up. She’d probably hoped to marry Tigh at one time, but when he decided