Page 23 of King of Pride and Talons

The queen's eyes broadened, but only for a moment. Cassia was known for her poise and nearly non-reactionary nature. It was prudent for her, as she had relayed to him during one moment of intimate conversation, that especially as a woman, she had to appear stable at all times. Though Thorne sometimes detected cracks in the foundation, he would say that her visage had been maintained amazingly.

“That is wonderful,” she said softly, her half-smirk dwindling slightly. "That is why we do what we do.”

The king considered going on with the dance in silence, the music sufficing as a distraction, but Cassia’s acceptance opened a door in him.

“I must admit to you, though, good Queen, that I may have bit off more than I can chew.”

Cassia stayed quiet, her feet floating along to the rhythm with distinguished precision. Her tilted head and quizzical stare invited him to go on.

Thorne gathered himself, unused to such emotional exposure.

“I’m afraid that the witch hasn’t been convinced to stay as of yet. It may have been a little rash of me to assume that she was willing to take on such a title so soon." His lion growled uneasily with the rejection from earlier.

Cassia’s pale-blonde eyebrows knitted together but her lips bowed. The queen was amused, but not in a sardonic way.

“She is a human, after all,” she said. “It all likely feels quite outlandish to her."

The king agreed. “She would like me to open up. To share my emotional state with her."

The frown faded, but the guileful smile did not.

“And that's something you are not willing to do?"

Thorne shook his head eagerly.

“It is something I want to do, in theory. I’m afraid that I am out of practice, though. That kind of intimacy has eluded me, predominantly because it is something that can easily be weaponized.”

"You have played it all very close to the chest," Cassia stated matter-of-factly. “But I have no doubt you can learn to open up. You have ruled a kingdom for nearly a decade now. I’m sure that emotional honesty will eventually feel like a walk in the park."

Thorne felt an unease surface in his belly. He hoped she was right. As if sensing his plight, Cassia went on.

“What else is going on? What is in the way of this match?”

The king opened the floodgates. There was an effortlessness that rose when talking with Cassia once he no longer had to contend with her lamentations. He saw what everyone else saw as he spoke, that cultured and fluid manner about her.

“Breya shared her concerns with me about some of the attendants tonight judging her. Whisperings of disapproval."

“Hmm,” Cassia said. "That is certainly not a trifling matter. I have heard some discontent as well, amongst the lions, I mean. That must be new for you."

Thorne nodded.

“It is. And I want to know what your plan would be to remedy this matter.”

She stared vacantly for a moment at the polished cherry wood flooring. The song was coming to an end, and Thorne felt desperate.

“I think you have to accept the discomfort. There were a lot of people hoping you and I would unite kingdoms. People need time to get used to the fact that it isn't happening. Time is the greatest healer, dear Thorne. Your subjects might not be happy with you, but that will fade. Give it time."

The music dwindled, and the dancers halted movement. The king and witch queen stood before one another, and Cassia laid a hand on Thorne’s cheek.

“Trust yourself. That’s all you can do,” she murmured.

Thorne gave her a chivalrous bow and kissed her hand. She was possessed by melancholy, he could feel it, but she carried it as always with grace and sanguine composure.

“Queen Wyeberry,” he said.

She departed, moving through the gathering of guests. The king was gracious for her advice, but he was also troubled by it. It was the first time during his reign that he had to deal with contentious options about his choices. He didn’t like that one bit.

He sought out Breya, wishing to drown himself in her sugary pleasantness.

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