Page 10 of A Dagger in the Ivy

“I will leave it up to you.” His gaze softens. “But I think you know what’s best for our land.”

“I need time to consider this.” My words cut through the tension. “Unless you need an immediate answer from me, I would like to sleep on it.”

My uncle nods, understanding in his eyes, but the room remains silent, the cloud of impending decisions hanging over us like a storm about to break.

CHapter

Five

As Ienter Nadya’s room, the air is immediately filled with an aura of warmth and vibrancy that seems to emanate from her very presence. Nadya sits perched at her vanity, gently rubbing a cream into the smooth, dark skin of her face, the thick, springy coils of her raven-colored hair dancing across her shoulders with every movement. Her delicate features are adorned with a subtle touch of beauty tinctures she acquired from Mersos, accentuating her natural beauty with a hint of rosy blush on her high cheekbones and a blended oil that enhances her fluttering lashes.

She looks up from her mirror with a bright smile, her eyes alight with relief as she catches sight of me. “Celeste, you’re back.” Her voice has a melodic cadence that puts me at ease. When she catches my somber expression, her smile fades. She stands and glides over to me. “I’m so sorry about Bennett.”

“Thank you. I still haven’t come to terms with his passing.”

Nadya pulls me in for a hug. We grew up together, so in my heart, she’s like a sister to me. “I miss him, too. Though he never did pay much mind to me unless he was telling me whatnotto do.”

“He was just looking after you. And his reputation as king.” I holdher by her shoulders. “In truth, he loved you like a sister. As do I.”

Her eyes, deep, rich brown and oval-shaped, well with tears. “If there’s anything I can do, just say the word.”

“You’re sweet.”

“There’s something else troubling you.” Nadya’s always been good at seeing right through people. “What is it?”

I wring my hands.

Evidently sensing my apprehension, Nadya moves over to her settee and picks up her pile of books, setting them on a side table before gesturing for me to take a seat.

I plop down and pull her to sit beside me. “You know what it means, now that Bennett is gone?”

“It means… that you are queen? Oh, gods, was I supposed to curtsey and address you as ‘Your Majesty’?” She clambers to her feet and grabs her skirts, dropping into a curtsey.

I grab her wrists. “No. Please don’t stop being my friend. Our relationship will not change, no matter my title. First and foremost, aside from being your friend, I’m Commander of the Royal Regiment. And my official title will not yet be queen until my coronation.”

She releases her dress and tilts her head. “What is it, then? What’s wrong?”

“My uncle has just informed me of my first duty as ruler of Delasurvia.” I cover my cheeks as if to stop the burning within them. “There are two marriage offers on the table. It seems that I must choose between them to seal the fate of the realm.”

Nadya’s eyebrows arch as she returns to my side, her gaze filled with concern. “Marriage? You?”

I swat at her playfully. “I know. It’s preposterous. But I cannot think like old, independent Celeste anymore. I have to think like the heiress to the throne, as much as it pains me to say.”

“Well, two offers is a nice start. Youarea catch, you know.”

I bristle. “I’m sure the offers have nothing to do with me personally, but what I can do for their kingdoms.”

“Who are the prospects?”

“Lord Marcos Trevose of Podrosa and Prince Torbin Copperhammer of Hedera.”

Her forehead wrinkles. “Marcos Trevose? Isn’t he a child?”

“Apparently, he is one year my junior.”

Her nose wrinkles. “Still, unless he’s outgrown the warts on his chin—”

“Those are birthmarks, I heard.”

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