Page 103 of A Queen's Game
“Of course,” Amryth said, squeezing her hands.
“Would you join me on a walk before my tea time with the Queen?”
A smile broke across Amryth’s face. “I would love to.”
Marietta savored the sun’s warmth on her skin as she walked with Amryth through the Central Garden. Never again would she go so long without that sensation, a promise she made to herself.
As the time inched closer to noon, Amryth led Marietta back towards the Royal’s Wing, leading her past the stairs that she took to the balcony where she usually met the Queen for tea. The invite said to meet in The Queen’s Garden, which was at the center of the Royal’s Wing. A bright hallway next to the stairs ran to a glass-paned door flanked by guards. Amryth gave her a quick hug before taking off for her shift.
Alone, Marietta pushed open the door to find a small courtyard. Lavender lined the sandstone tiles, its pattern spiraling towards the center to a towering fountain carved into the shape of an oak tree. Water trickled down from the boughs,sounding like rain, and when the sunlight caught the droplets, they shined like gems.
Wisteria hung from a trellis that overhung a path on the far side of the courtyard. Marietta followed it, hearing the screaming giggles of a child coming from beyond. It led to a large grassy area surrounded by dense trees and plants. The small black-haired child from before ran in the grass, the nursemaid chasing him.
“Marietta, I’m pleased you could come.” The Queen sat in a cushioned chair resting below a gauzy white umbrella, casting her in the shade. “I hope you don’t mind Prince Mycaub playing while we talk. I reserve this time for him, yet I heard you were feeling better….” Her voice trailed off as Marietta approached. A frown came to her face as she took in Marietta’s thin frame.
Marietta noted the tight navy dress she wore with a high neck and long sleeves, unusual for hot weather. “Thank you for inviting me, Queen Valeriya.” She curtsied before taking a seat.
“It’s been quite some time since our last meeting. I grew worried when you turned down my requests for tea. Keyain waited to share you were sick until I found out from other sources.” The Queen stared at Marietta, her expression insinuating she understood what made her ill. Her voice faded to a whisper as she frowned. “Look at you, so thin.”
“It was a rough time,” Marietta said, confused by her concern, “but I’ll be alright, my Queen. How haveyoubeen?”
Queen Valeriya looked at her son off in the distance, his high-pitched squeals of laughter breaking their silence. Her fingers drummed on the arms of the chair. “Marietta, do you know where I am from?” Her gaze followed the toddler as he ran through the grass.
She had never thought of where she came from, even after she admitted she didn’t like the King. “I assumed you were from one of the city-states of Syllogi.”
Queen Valeriya shook her head. “I was raised in Reyila, the mountainous elven queendom north of Enomenos. Much is different here than there. In Reyila, we welcome all. Human, elf, half-elf. I have even met people from the orc clans of the far south.” A small smile tugged at her lips, then dropped.
“Wyltam approached my sister, Queen Nystanya, with his proposal to marry me. After my sister had married her husband, Auryon from Chorys Dasi, she thought it’d be beneficial to tie our family to another ruling family of Syllogi. We thought that Wyltam would see me as an equal, that I would help command at his side.” Queen Valeriya laughed, though no humor touched her expression. “I was naïve in both my belief that Wyltam would see me as his equal and that I could change Satiros, to blend its citizens like Reyila. The transition to Satiros was difficult. I was in a political marriage to a stranger in a city-state I didn’t understand; the hardest part was having different views from my husband.” She looked at Marietta, her eyes filled with sadness. “The people of Satiros think that because elves have the longest life span that we are the dominant race. They believe pilinos exist to be subservient to elves.”
Marietta’s heart thrummed in her chest, remembering learning of the elven-ruled Reyila. She hadn’t realized they were mixed like Enomenos—that their elven viewed pilinos as equals. Queen Valeriya was like Marietta, away from her home, and married to a man with different beliefs. “Keyain seems to also carry that belief.” Marietta bit her tongue, regretting her words. Why would she share that?
The Queen paused for a moment. “Do you understand how odd it is that you and Keyain are married?”
Marietta laughed carefully. “Now that I’m here, I understand.”
“How do you feel about his views—of Satiros’ views?” The Queen raised her brows, giving Marietta a pointed look.
“Oh, I just love them,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “There’s nothing more heartwarming than knowing the man I’m married to believes I’m less than a person to him.” She should have held back, not be so frank in her frustrations, but after Keyain’s refusal to help her, Marietta could only feel bitterness that sparked the sarcasm.
“Unsurprising that you feel that way considering his mistreatment.”
Marietta and the Queen jumped at the sudden deep voice that sounded behind them—King Wyltam. Startled, Marietta jumped from her seat, turning to the King with a curtsy. “King Wyltam, it’s good to see you again.” Like the day he visited Marietta, he wore all black, and on his head rested a simple crown of gold.
“That it is. I’m happy to see you’re well enough to dress.”
Queen Valeriya made a slight sigh at the comment, though Marietta was unsure if the King meant it as an insult. Unlike most people, she had a hard time gauging his tone and reading his expression. It was as if nothing excited, bored, or angered him. His demeanor was like stone—no, colder. An icy, expressionless mask with piercing black eyes that missed nothing as they searched Marietta.
The King turned to Queen Valeriya. “Take Mycaub inside. I wish to have a moment alone with Marietta.” Coldness crept through his deep tone as he spoke.
“Though we haven’t had tea yet?” she bristled, walking to stand next to Marietta. She sighed, clasping her hands before her. “It seems your time is accounted for, Marietta. We’ll have to do tea another day.” Without waiting for a response, she took off toward her son, scooping the giggling child into her arms before entering the Royal’s Wing.
Once alone, King Wyltam cleared his throat. “I see you’re still lying, though the sarcasm is a nice change.” The King’s gazecontinued to rake over her as he stepped forward, narrowing the space. “You still appear gaunt but the blackness under your eyes has eased. Are you feeling better after your excursion yesterday?”
Marietta searched his expression for any sign of mocking, yet found none. “A little, yes.”
“Good.” His stare landed on the side of her face, his hand reaching. “May I?”
Confused, Marietta nodded as the King brought his hand to her hair, tucking it behind her ear. The chill of his fingers brushed the blunted arched tip, causing Marietta’s heart to race.
