Page 17 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

Towards the end of the evening, Ethan stood and excused himself. He invited the princes to join him for a tour of the training grounds so that they could decide what they may need sent from their homes. He tempted Egan and Frederick into following him out the door as they talk about the various tools and equipment they wanted to use for training. Spencer acted like he intended to follow them, but lingered back just long enough that he’s the only prince remaining. Ivy and Amyra were still present as well, of course, and were about to follow me back to my chambers to prepare for sleep.

“Lyla, I didn’t want to let the day end without offering my gratitude for selecting me as one of your three.”

Spencer held all his attention to me, as if Ivy and Amyra weren’t in the room.

“I meant what I told you earlier. I will do everything I can to ensure you are happy. I know many Kings have created rules in the past about which Ladies can serve their Queens or how they can serve, but I need to you to know, I wouldn’t dare tell you which of your friends can stay with you, ever.”

He reached for and took my hand with his to hold. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I forcedmy breath to stay even and willed my face into calm indifference.

“Thank you, Spencer, but I must admit, I don’t understand why you’re bringing up that specifically.”

Except I did, and I was panicking. Was it that obvious? Did my castle have those rumors spread? Was Amyra’s safety in danger? I knew what Luther and Denenbaum would do if they feared inappropriate relations would happen within castle walls. I didn’t dare look at Amyra and give us away, but I did glance at Ivy. She looks calm and composed at her seat, but I notice her knee is gently bouncing, her tell that she’s anxious too.

“Please don’t fret, any of you. No one speaks; no walls have told any secrets. I have my own secrets, and they tell me far more about people than others could know. Lyla, I want your happiness, and I’ve wanted to offer that to you for a long, long time. If your happiness is elsewhere, I will protect it as my own.” His eyes left mine to look at Amyra. His gaze led me to her, visibly worried. I reached for her hand, clutching it to assure her she was mine and that I would protect her. I let go before anyone could enter the dining room and catch the gesture and turned back to Spencer.

“I will have your head if this gets out. I will have everyone’s head. Tell me how you know this. I will spend the rest of my life worried about what else you know if you don’t share.”

He sucked in a deep breath, his eyes widened with a flicker of disbelief. On his exhale, his features returned to neutral. I didn’t think he realized this conversation would go this way. It seemed like we have that happen a lot with our conversations lately.

“I understand the risk this request poses, especially with how late in the evening it is, but I cannot say this here. Can we return to your chamber, and I will be happy to share more freely?” He asked cautiously.

I glanced at Ivy and Amyra, who provided their nods that they are ok with this. I nodded and then stood up. “Let’s go. I suspect we have a lot to talk about.”

I allowed Amyra to lead us back, placing myself between her and Spencer, who walked behind me. Ivy rounded off the end, and stopped to whisper to one courtier, who nodded and then left the room. With how well she always anticipated my fears, I hoped she was sending for Ethan to join us. Ethan didn’t know about Amyra and me yet, but I knew that if he was aware, he would protect her fiercely, too. I’ve kept him ignorant to help him if rumors ever occurred. One of us needed to be clean of such a scandal. Luther would want to prevent the coronation if they knew and would want to prevent Ethan from taking the crown if they thought he supported my transgression. I needed to protect him and our kingdom from the power vacuum it would have caused.

We reached my chambers, and thankfully, no one was in the hallway to see Spencer entering the sitting room. At least, the chances of gossip spreading by the morning were low.

Once the door was closed, Spencer and I sat at my table. I settled into my normal chair at the head of the table, and he sat next to me. Amyra immediately moved to my other side and positioned her chair slightly behind me to remove my hair pins. Ivy sat on Spencer’s other side, which I appreciated as a defensive move. What she intended to do, I did not know, but the sentiment was nice. I wanted to trust Spencer, but we had evaded notice of our relationship since I returned from Vondalon. Amyra and I had even cooled things lately, knowing the extra eyes were watching me after Mother’s death, and I didn’t want her to be at risk.

Spencer started talking before I could ask questions. “Lyla, I deeply apologize. My vagueness seems to have caused far more concern than it assuaged. I want to explain this by asking you, do you remember the stories that my mama used to share with us at dinner when you and Ethan spent time in Vondalon?”

I wasn’t sure which story he was referencing, but nodded anyway. A knock sounded on the door, already interrupting this. I tried to not show the irritation I felt about yet another person coming to my chambers like this. I suppose part of thebenefit of the chambers set aside for the king and queen was the extra effort it took to get through the layers of security.

Spencer paused for the interruption while Ivy rose to get it, since she was closest to the door. She said nothing, just opened the door to verify who it was before inviting them in. Ethan entered, and Ivy closed the door. My irritation quickly disappeared when I realized he was here at Ivy’s request as I suspected earlier.

“Ethan, I’m so glad you came here. Before we start this story, Spencer, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a moment with Ethan.”

Spencer moved to vacate the space.

“No, no, you can stay here. Ethan, can you join me in my bedroom?”

Ethan and I headed to the next room, and I closed the door.

“We have an issue at hand, and I need to tell you before Spencer talks. After you left with the others, he insinuated he knows a secret of mine. Knowing: You should also know this because I don’t know how he found out, and this could be devastating. I could get exiled if this secret comes out.” I look down at my hands as I rambled, wringing them to soothe my worries.

Ethan clasped my hands, holding them still while brushing a thumb across my knuckles. He was using Mother’s old trick to help steady me. I smiled in appreciation and took a deep breath.

“Lyla, it’s ok. Whatever it is, we will get through it. Remember, Spencer is a good friend and has been for years.”

I nodded. “OK, OK, yes, that’s true.”

I inhaled once more, calming my nerves.

“Spencer indicated he knows that I have an attraction to Amyra. More than- I have, uh. I am… we are-” I keep stuttering over my words, afraid to voice them.

“Oh, my sweet, sweet sister. I suspected this for a long while. She’s a great friend, but you two sort of suck at hiding your emotions for each other. Most don’t pay attention, but Ihave. I’ve always watched to see who else picks up on it, and no one of importance does. Mother did well with surrounding us with the right people, hiring the right people that will protect such a secret to their graves.”

I didn’t feel calm with this revelation. Not even a little bit. “Ethan! What if Luther or the other councilors figure out? They’d stop at nothing to stop the coronation.”

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