Page 97 of Threaded

“Just Satya will do. I have no need of titles.” The woman’s tone was matter-of-fact and accompanied by the hint of a mischievous smile, her jade eyes sparkling.

Mariah immediately liked her.

Enoch beamed at his wife before casting a glance over his shoulder. He returned his attention to Mariah and Ryenne, now appearing a bit more flustered than he had before. “Please forgive us, Your Majesties. We had meant for you both to also make the acquaintance of our daughters, but it seems they have not yet joined us—”

“We’re here, Father.”

Mariah’s head snapped up at that voice, recognizing it instantly.

Emerging from the congested crowd, as if they were there all along, the two women she’d encountered in the stables ascended the dais steps, moving to stand beside who Mariah now realized were their mother and father.

Of course, they hadn’t been justanyKreah warriors wandering the grounds of the palace. They were the children of the Kreah Ambassador to Onita.

Enoch’s smile grew impossibly wider as he turned to his daughters.

“Ah,priya! There you are. Thank you for joining us.” He turned his dark gaze back to Mariah and Ryenne. “Your Majesties, if I may present to you my daughters. Kiira”—the girl with dark brown eyes nodded, her expression somber—“and Rylla.” The one with hazel eyes grinned.

Ryenne smiled at the newcomers. “Welcome, Lady Kiira and Lady Rylla.” The queen paused, her gaze turning curious. “What brings you to Verith? Besides accompanying your father, of course.”

Rylla glanced briefly at her father, who gave her a slight nod, before answering. “We’re the Ambassador’s youngest, Your Majesty. And because of that, we are blessed with the ability to travel, to see the entirety of the world the gods have gifted to us. We’ve already seen so much of the continent, but have not had the opportunity to explore all the beauty Onita has to offer. Even after our father has concluded his visit, we hope to remain in your country, both to learn more of your ways and to share the ways of Kreah.”

“What a wonderful opportunity for you both,” said Ryenne warmly. “Please, feel free to remain in Verith for as long as you both please. I shall ensure you are both well provided for.”

The entire Kreah party bowed their heads. “We thank you for your generous hospitality, Your Majesty,” rumbled Enoch before glancing at his daughters. “Although, if I know my daughters well, I suspect they will desire to forge their own paths. But I also implore them to not ignore the offers of powerful sovereigns.” Enoch tacked on the last of his words with a pointed stare. Kiira and Rylla dipped their heads respectfully, and Mariah didn’t miss the hint of amusement that touched their faces.

“Well, I know there are many more here who seek an audience with Your Majesties, and we do not wish to take up any more of your time.” Ambassador Enoch bowed again, Satya, Kiira, and Rylla following suit. The Ambassador raised his gaze back to Mariah, a curious look, one Mariah couldn’t quite place, written across his kind face. “It has been an honor to make your acquaintance, Queen Mariah.”

Queen Mariah. No one had called her that yet.

She decided she rather liked it.

“The honor has been all mine, Ambassador Enoch.” With that, the Kreah party took their exit, stepping back down the dais and merging themselves once again with the throng of attendees. In their place, the next party to address the queens stepped forward.

One look at the approaching lord’s face had Mariah’s entire body tensing, all the kindness shown by Ambassador Enoch and his family instantly forgotten.

Lord Ernest Donnet. Lord of Andburgh and Protector of the Crossroads. Mariah’s former liege.

The former liege whose room of stolen wares and coin Mariah had raided on her last night in Andburgh before racing furiously with her father for Verith. The bags of coin she’d stolen that night were still shoved haphazardly under her bed, the dagger she’d taken strapped to her thigh beneath her night-colored gown.

Her skin beneath that dagger began to itch just as her heart thudded heavily in her ears.

Lord Donnet clapped his hands together, full of the same male bravado as that night he’d stolen from Mariah’s family all those years ago. “Ah! Queen Ryenne, you’re looking as resplendent as ever. I’m always honored to stand in your presence.” He took the hand Ryenne outstretched to him, planting a sloppy kiss on her knuckles and the golden rings adorning her fingers.

To her credit—or perhaps it was years of experience dealing with these pretentious lords—Ryenne neither flinched nor reached to wipe off the spittle flecking her hand.

“Lord Donnet. Always a pleasure to have you join us at court. Your presence has become far too scarce.”

Donnet dipped his head to Ryenne. “My sincerest apologies for any prolonged absence, My Queen. Managing the complex trade routes of the Crossroad City is quite a consuming task. But it is, of course, all done in service to you and the crown.”

The snort that slipped from Mariah’s throat jerked the attention of both Ryenne and Donnet to her, the latter’s beady black eyes narrowing. Mariah couldn’t miss the recognition that flashed in Donnet’s gaze. Perhaps he wouldn’t have known her name, but of course, he’d recognized her face. His words from that night, the night that had solidified her desire to one day run from that town forever, echoed through her mind.

“I only wanted to let you know that your daughter is quite a beauty. It is too bad she was not born to … better circumstances.”

Her magic woke instantly, pulsing violently beneath her skin. Her eyes twinkled with faint silver-gold light, darkening the forest-green.

Ryenne’s blue gaze darted rapidly between Mariah and Donnet, noting the palpable anger filtering from Mariah. Nervousness slipped past her facade, her shoulders tensing. Out of the corner of her eye, Mariah watched Ryenne twist her fingers around each other before she spoke, her voice tight.

“Ah, where are my manners … Lord Donnet, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to our new Queen Apparent, Mariah Salis.” Ryenne paused, her demeanor shifting into one of careful assessment as she focused her attention on Mariah. “As I understand it, Mariah was born and raised in Andburgh. I’m sure it has brought you great pride seeing one of your own being Chosen by the Goddess herself.”

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