Page 26 of Queen of Ever

I was careful not to react visibly, but it wasn’t easy to swallow down the sudden, bright burst of hope that threatened to write itself all over my features.It took a moment for the rest of what she’d said to sink in.There’d been an attack on Seelie lands.It robbed me of a theory I’d been nursing which laid the blame for the attack at Solas’ feet.It had been a long shot—breaking the treaty and initiating a war would lead to ceding sovereignty.If the consequences for such a move were any less dire, Moriana herself would have started a war a long time ago.Splitting the realm into Seelie and Unseelie had only ensured the disgruntled discontent of both of Oberon’s sons—and now their successors—which was why he bound them by treaty in the first place.It had been necessary to stop either of them from trying to take the rest of what they saw as their thwarted birthright by force.

‘Then we should agree,’ I said.

The queen’s eyes narrowed.‘We?’

‘Because no one would expect you to go yourself is what he means, my queen.’Ves’ voice interrupted me from behind.Moriana’s smile softened as he swept into view.‘Don’t for one moment consider putting yourself in such danger.’

‘B-but we’re obligated to send a delegation,’ Taldore stuttered.‘To refuse would declare us at odds with the Seelie Kingdom.It would be all but claiming responsibility for the attack on their lands.’

‘That doesn’t mean our illustrious queen should go herself,’ Ves said without even glancing at the trembling Taldore.

‘I don’t think Solas would appreciate the slight of my councillors attending in my stead,’ Moriana replied.

‘Then send your heir.’Ves kept his focus fixed on the queen, affecting a casual manner as he made the suggestion.Usually, I’d wonder at his motive, but right then I didn’t care if he was motivated by interests that conflicted with mine.Because if Solas was calling a conclave, there was a good chance he’d bring Imogen to neutral ground with him.Not a certainty.But it was a much better chance at seeing her than I’d have if I stayed at Dreadhold.

But now I had to sell the idea to the queen without letting on how much I wanted her to agree.

‘A tolerable suggestion.What do you say to this plan Tarian?’Moriana asked with a wry arch of a brow.‘Do you think you could play at diplomacy a few days?Perhaps you could make amends for some of those weaknesses you’ve so recently exhibited to me.’She was watching me closely.There was no way her thoughts hadn’t followed the same path as mine.I couldn’t tell if she meant to raise my hopes only to crush them, or if she really was considering sending me.Perhaps she wanted to test me.Perhaps she wanted to torment me.There seemed to be no way forwards than to act as neutral and apathetic as possible.

‘Since you’ve seen fit to establish your court here, I suppose it’s no difference to me if I’m forced into company there instead of here.’

‘Your enthusiasm for your role never fails to inspire, darling,’ she drawled, but she seemed satisfied enough.‘You shall go in my place and try not to embarrass me to any great degree.’

It seemed too great a risk to say anything else in case she changed her mind.I kept my mouth firmly shut, only acknowledging the reply with a curt nod.Finally, the queen skewered her advisor with her attention again.‘There, Taldore.Are you satisfied?’

Taldore began to bumble about her majesty’s wisdom, which I took as a good opportunity to migrate towards Ves.‘Briyala?’I asked in a low murmur.

‘Alive.’

Exhaling a sigh, I allowed myself a moment of relief that I wouldn’t be carrying that particular burden of guilt.‘And Arun’s office?’

‘I think your housekeeper intends to guard the door herself.She’s scary enough to at least give anyone a little hesitation.’

‘Thank you.’I walked from the room, eager to put distance between myself and the queen as quickly as possible, and Ves followed me.

‘So now I’ve saved your lifeandbought you an escape from Dreadhold while it’s swimming with people you don’t want to be around,’ he said jovially.‘What a wonderful ally I’m turning out to be.When you’re king, you’ll have to give me lots of very pretty titles and castles and serving girls to demonstrate your gratitude.’

‘Not so loud,’ I hissed, glancing around us.It skated too close to treason for me to be comfortable with, since my succession would have to come with either Moriana’s unnatural death or her removal from the throne.Not to mention a blatant disregard for the High Council’s declaration that I couldn’t wear the crown until I’d thrown off Dhrigada’s prophecy that the throne would fall with me.‘And don’t get ahead of yourself.All that only barely begins to make up for taking Imogen to Beltane.’

‘Well, maybe it doesn’t make up for it yet,’ he said slyly, ‘but if good King Solas is as stupid and arrogant as we know him to be, I might just have bought you a ticket to seeing her again too.An opportunity to parade her around in front of you would surely be too delicious for him to pass up.’

‘Maybe,’ I muttered, mounting a staircase that would take me to Arun’s office, stomach already twisting at the thought of what I would have to do when I got there.Go through his desk.Destroy a lot of his correspondence.Sit in his empty chair and look around the empty room where I’d always gone for advice, knowing he had none left to give me.

‘But you’ll have to take me with you,’ Ves continued as we reached the floor I wanted and proceeded down a corridor that was still thankfully empty of courtiers.Soon, they’d be choking every moment of silence, every breath of empty space.‘I can give you some lessons in charm and you’ll win her back in no time.’

‘If you were as charming as you think you are, she’d have run away with you instead of Solas,’ I replied as we reached Arun’s office, where Madam Hetia was sitting in a straight-backed chair right in front of the door, like she was some kind of threshold guardian.She rose to her feet when we approached, dusting at her skirts.

‘None have entered, sir, as you wished it,’ she said, puffing up with pride like a clucky hen and pulling her chair out of the way.

‘Thank you.’I paused by her a moment, suddenly concerned what I’d be leaving her and the other servants to.Perhaps I wasn’t the most cheerful lord of the castle, but I was nothing to what they would suffer with Moriana in residence.‘The queen intends to hold court here, and I’m not sure how long for, but there’s no need for you and the others to stay while she does.The palace staff will relocate here.’

Her jaw slackened while her brow pinched together.This was as much her home as it was mine.I didn’t like that I had to ask her to leave it.‘But-but where else would we go?’

‘Go and join my cousin’s household,’ I said, flicking a hand at Vesryn, who blinked in exaggerated shock.‘Just until they’re all gone again.It’ll be...safer.’

‘If that is your wish, master,’ she said, bowing her head.

‘Just make sure you take everyone with you.Don’t leave so much as a gardener behind.You know what they do to servants in the Unseelie Palace.’Opening the door to Arun’s office, I left her to fill in the blanks herself.But the sight of the room halted me in my tracks for a moment, drowning me in a wash of grief.I was going to have to destroy so much of his correspondence, of his work.

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