Page 80 of Glass and Bone
“Yes, it was only days after you left. The three of us met up for lunch and to talk about everything. Laenie told me she was approached by Reggie-”
“Reggie?”
“Reginald, apparently that's Lord Hairy’s real name.” She stifles a laugh.
“What kind of a name isReginald?” I snicker.
“Anyway, Laenie and him are dating, although I don’t think they’ve done anything thatdoesn’tinvolve a closed door.” She laughs again and I join in. It feels nice to be able to laugh and joke around with my best friend as if nothing has changed. It feels good just to smile. “After lunch, Laenie left us to go find Reggie for another bedroomdalliance, and Rhea and I walked to the docks together, hoping to see some men with their shirts off of course. I told her I was just spending my days shopping and relaxing and that’s when she told me she had something to tell me.” Her eyes widen as she grins, a small squeal coming out of her mouth.
“And?” I push.
“She told me she likes me and she’s hoping that since we don’t have to marry for money or rise in station, that we could be together.” She blurts it out in a rushed sentence before biting her lip.
“What did you say?” I grip her forearm impatiently.
“I told her I would think about it. And then she just grabbed my face and kissed me!” She covers her face with her hands, hiding her blushing cheeks.
“Did you kiss her back?”
“Well,” She pauses and looks around the hallway. “I’ll just say that we didn’t leave the woods for a while.” I scream and we both jump up and down dramatically. I look back at Tano, who is trying to look busy andnotlike he is snooping in on our conversation.
“I cannot believe that happened! What happened next?” She threads her arm through mine again and starts walking down the hallway again.
“Well, we stayed pretty much inseparable until your father showed up at my doorstep. He wanted my help in greeting some guests from Noterra. I obliged because I knew what he needed, a pretty face to impress the men.” I roll my eyes. “When I reached the receiving room, Theo was there. He had just been talking to your father about the threats in Labisa, offering aid should they need it.”
“I didn’t know Theo went to Chatis.” I mutter. Was this before or after he left for the border?
“Yeah, he stopped by on his way back to Noterra. Like I was saying, Theo was there, and well I fell in love instantly. He’s so hot and kind and we hit it off.” We turn another corner and head for the stairs leading down to the bottom floor. It seems Tobias was right, and I eventually did learn how to navigate the palace without paying attention. “He told me he was headed back to Noterra and had a letter from the king requesting my presence. I don’t think your father knew; it was just by chance that he asked me to help out. In the letter, the king said he wanted to make the transition to your queenhood as easy as possible and asked if I would consider relocating to Noterra.”
“I can’t believe he did that.” Tobiascouldbe nice when he wanted. Why is that so hard for me to accept?
“I was excited and then I kept reading and it said if I accepted, the crown would donate enough money to classify my father as a Lord, making me fit to marry any station I please. I was excited, your father was not.” She laughs, and I know she is picturing his face when it gets all red from frustration.
“That doesn’t surprise me.” I scoff as we start to descend.
“So I immediately sent a rider off to accept. By the time we got here, the king was waiting and mentioned that he would like to bestow his blessing for Theo and I to marry. We were both shocked, but at the end of the conversation we found ourselves agreeing. It’s not a love match or a political match, but it gets me closer to you and out of Chatis, and Theo gets to marry someone he likes without being forced to marry elsewhere.”
“It makes sense. I’m glad you said yes.” Although it doesn’t really make sense. I just think Tobias wanted to make Theo unavailable.
“Me too.” She squeezes my arm as we reach the bottom floor.
“What about Rhea?” I ask, already forgetting about their time together. She sighs and drops my arm.
“I asked her to come to court and be one of our ladies.” My eyes widen.
“What? What about Theo?” She looks around before pulling me to one of the benches lining the walls.
“I think I love her, and I am hoping that if I have them both, I’ll be happy here.”
“Scarlett, you can’t have a mistress. It’s not allowed.”
“He’ll never know. It’ll be a secret, and even then, it’s a woman not a man. It’s not like I can fall pregnant. I’ll still have Theo’s children. I’m attracted to both sexes, Elaenor. Don’t be a prude.”
“I’m not a prude, I am just worried for your safety.”
“You really think sweet Theo will send me off to be beheaded if I sleep, or not sleep, with another woman? I know men. I have been withplentyof them. He’ll probably ask to join.” A startled gasp leaves my lips, and we break out into another hysterical fit of laughter.
“Just be careful, please.” She rolls her eyes and pulls me off the bench.
