Page 18 of Desperately Yours

“I’m sure it’s difficult being the first one to be notified of emergencies in the kingdom.” He frowned, but he still couldn’t hide his smile. “Seeing as he’s the most important person in the room.”

Queen Mariah’s face turned smooth as ice and twice as cold. “And what would you know of importance, Bishop?” Her calculated words became blades of warning. It wasn’t smart for him to continue to goad her, but Bishop didn’t seem to have brakes on his runaway train. When he got an idea in his head, he wouldn’t abandon it.

“But that’s the difference between us,” he leaned forward, impish and defiant, “Idon’t seek power or a throne.”

Eyes turned downcast at his volley, all but Celani who practically foamed at the mouth for the return shot. Bishop had an edge the queen wasn’t accustomed to, an invincibility to her power because he was not quite royal but still remained higher than the average citizen. As he said, he didn’t want the crown, but by the looks of it,she did.

“I’ve always wondered that, Your Majesty,” Celani punctured the standoff. “Why have there only ever been kings in Nolcovia?”

“You’re not a native to the country, then?” Bishop deduced.

“Oh, no,” she admitted. “I moved here to go to university and fell in love with the country, so I stayed, but many of the customs have been a mystery to me.” Her long finger pointed toward me as if to draw me back into the spotlight. “Actually, that’s why I have enjoyed Michaela’s part in this so much. I feel like kindred spirits as everyone else seems to understand traditions, and yet she’s left in the dark to fumble her way through.”

My mouth opened but I had no words. I couldn’t even tell if she was complimenting me or insulting me.

“To answer your question,” Queen Mariah pulled the attention away from me as quickly as she could, “the tradition is that husband and wife rule together, in partnership. Which is why it is imperative for Leonidas to find a wife.”

Celani’s brow creased as she considered it. “But if that were true, then why not give you the news instead of the prince?”

Once more the queen’s neck tightened, highlighting her veins and bones for a brief second before she recovered. “Because the footmen are honoring the succession of power.”

“Forgive me, but why not change the law?” Celani wouldn’t leave it alone. Bishop struggled to hide his smile behind his open palm as the reporter continued to grill the royal. “It’s clear you have the experience, you know the issues facing the kingdom, and you seem willing, so it looks like an easy—"

“For whatever reason,” Queen Mariah’s upper lip flinched like a jungle cat trying to hold back a violent snarl, “the king has seen fit to uphold tradition instead.”

“But surely you have the influence to convince him to—”

The queen’s palms slammed against the table, rattling every plate and glass, effectively cutting Celani short. “If I did, I would be ruling the kingdom, wouldn’t I?” Her voice silenced the room and turned every guest into a silent statue, afraid to move for fear of her wrath. As if recovering from her own personal earthquake, she slowly slipped back into her royal demeanor.Her smile, her softness, and the regal stature she normally embraced all slipped back into place one at a time. “Shall we call for the next course?”

The footmen wasted no time and took her suggestion as an order. Plates distracted from the uncomfortable silence and thankfully helped to hide the way Bishop’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. It was what he’d wanted all along, to get her to admit her ambition for the throne.

But why? What good did that do him? It was broadcast, yes, but if she had supporters in the kingdom, wouldn’t they start to clamor for a change in the laws? From what I’d seen in the time I’d been in the country, civil war was one wrong move away.

Esmerey decided to try her hand at diplomacy and took control of the conversation. “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m absolutely dying with curiosity to know more about what the people think of the competition, Celani. I mean you told us about that one little poll.” She was obviously quick to dismiss my high ranking. “Will you indulge us more? For instance, you haven’t told usyourfavorite.”

Small dishes of something pale and sparkling were set on plates in front of the guests. A sharp acidic bite teased my nose as the footman placed mine. It looked like ice cream, but not. More like snowballs in a crystal glass.

“Palate cleanser,” Bishop whispered. “Between entrées. A couple bites at most.”

Celani set her hand to her chest as if surprised. “You want to knowmythoughts? I’m positively flustered and oh, so flattered, Lady Esmerey.”

I poked at the frozen mound with my spoon. The rounded edge sunk easily into the glossy surface. I scooped a healthy bite and slipped it into my mouth without dropping it in my lap.

Always a win in my book when food didn’t rebel and embarrass me.

“Yes…” Esmerey dragged out the word, “please tell us who you would pick for Prince Leonidas.”

Celani waved Esmerey off, chuckling to herself. “With all the players at the table, that simply doesn’t seem fair, at least not without asking everyone present.”

She meant the other four individuals who hadn’t said much at all. Earlier, I heard one introduce himself as a prince, but not from Nolcovia, and from his grey hair, I was guessing he wasn’t taking over his country any time soon. Bishop had mentioned the silver-haired woman across from me was the chancellor of transportation, and the middle-aged woman to her left was a prominent author adored by her people. The fourth I had only gotten a glimpse of, a burly fellow with an untrimmed beard and full military regalia.

Not a single American in sight. My chances weren’t looking great.

Posture was important in strict social settings, but I wanted to slouch in my chair and maybe creep under the table to try to make a sly exit. Did I really want to hear an entire table confirm what the queen had been all too eager to allude to? I wasn’t worthy of her son and no feelings on my part would ever change that.

“Very well.” The light in Esmerey’s eyes brightened. Of course, it sounded great to her. We had a table full of politicians and dignitaries. As the remaining noble, she was the clear favorite. “Let’s start with Colonel Hearthwing. Who is your pick to win?”

The booming tenor of his voice matched the sheer looming size of the man. “While I find all three competitors to be worthy women, I must say my heart is always with tradition and ritual. Thus, Lady Esmerey is my favorite.”

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