Page 52 of Queen of Legends and Lies
“There’re a lot of weird things in this kingdom, but that has to be right up there with the strange furniture.” Elijah, who hasn’t had nearly as much to drink as some of us, twists to the side, gesturing to the low-backed, Tirenese-style chair he’s sitting in. “Do your people never lean back?”
“Not really. Doing so squishes the feathers, then it feels all wrong and you gotta brush ’em out and settle them.” Agnar sprouts his wings, stretching them out to pat Helene’s head and earning himself a glare. “But back to female guards. My sister’s made for that. Lark, if you want, I can ask her to apply.” He wobbles as he grins, ignoring Helene, who’s still trying to swat his wing away.
Though I have no doubt Quinn would be an excellent guard if she’s anything like her brother, I’m not sure who’d watch little Rose. But I keep my drunken musings to myself.
“Well.” Alannah pushes back from the table. “One thing that doesn’t change is the hours in the day. And I believe I’ve spent enough of them up. I will bid you all a good night.”
“Good night, Alannah. Thank you for joining us.” I start to rise, then remember I’m the queen. If I do, everyone else will have to stand too. Something I’ll have to remedy when I’m among friends.
“For me as well. Ah, to be young and foolish again.” Eldor’s eyes crinkle at the corners with unspoken memories. “I’ve learned not to get that deep into my cups. Especially when I have work to do the next day.”
Alannah nods, her nearly white hair catching the flickering candlelight, and they both rise from their seats. Eldor offers her his arm, which she accepts. With one last glance at our rambunctious gathering, they slip away. I watch as Eldor slows his steps to match hers until a sharp exchange from the hallway snags my attention. Eldor’s firm hand halts Serle and Celeste in their tracks.
Serle wears the perfect mask of diplomacy, as smooth as the silk draping his shoulders. Even from this distance, I note his shrewd, calculating eyes. “Your Grace, we simply wish to converse with Her Majesty regarding urgent matters.”
“Urgent matters can wait until sunrise.” The dismissive tilt of Alannah’s head suggests she’s heard such excuses before. “Her Majesty has earned her reprieve this evening.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Serle bows his head, though his posture stiffens. Celeste mirrors him like a shadow.
Eldor turns back toward the party and shuts the door, leaving the problems for tomorrow out in the hall.
Tonight, I’m not going to think about politics or enemies. Tomorrow’s worries will come soon enough, but for now, I plan to enjoy the company of the people I care about most.
Chapter Eighteen
The pounding in my head creates a steady and rhythmic reminder of why we should listen to our elders. That fourth glass of wine was definitely a mistake.
At least the sun isn’t glaring in my eyes.
The broody sky teems with dark clouds and shadows, but nothing dims the spark of relief inside me. At last, I’ve wrangled the royal paperwork into submission, thanks to Rhiann’s cleverness in finding aides who don’t fill me with the urge to claw out my eyeballs.
“Feels good to be out here again, doesn’t it?” I stretch my arms overhead as I walk beside Sterling on the way to training, working out the stiffness of too many hours bent over parchments and ledgers.
The ground crunches beneath our boots. The training fields call to me, and my muscles thrum with anticipation.
“Indeed.” Sterling’s eyes sweep the path ahead. Always the vigilant soldier.
He’s so focused that he doesn’t notice me sneaking my hand behind him. At least not until I pinch his firm ass.
With lightning speed, he catches my wrist, swaying his hips away as gracefully as a dancer and pulling my hand up to press a kiss to my palm. “Don’t start what you can’t finish, my queen.”
A bolt of white-hot desire shoots through me as I pat him on the cheek. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
“In front of your siblings?” He raises an eyebrow. “Or would you like me to ask them to leave?”
“Okay.” I clamp my hand over his mouth, my cheeks heating. “We’ll finish this later.”
Sterling winks as I drop my hand. “Going to hold you to that.”
Bastian catches up to us, Leesa at his side.
Agnar falls in step behind them, his broad shoulders casting a protective shadow. His eyes glint with humor when he offers a mock salute. “Morning,my queen.”
“Cut it out, Agnar. We’re not in court. Just call me Lark.”
“I know.” He gestures to Sterling. “I was talking to him.”
I’m about to roll my eyes when the training fields come into view and a chorus of voices rises from the gathered soldiers.
