Page 115 of A Queen's Game
“He doesn’t offer it to just anyone,” he grumbled, ripping off his jacket, flinging it to the back of the chair. “First the unplanned visit, now this.”
“Not quite.”
“What do you mean, ‘not quite?’”
“I saw the King last week during tea with the Queen,” she said, holding back a smirk.
“When were you going to tell me about that?”
“Oh, it slipped my mind.”
Keyain’s shoulders tensed as he stared at the letter. He fought with the first few buttons of his shirt, swearing when his fingers fumbled. “What did Wyltam have to say?”
The question remained casual on the surface, but Marietta could sense his uneasiness underneath. The King knew precisely how to rile Keyain, yet how far did this anxiety of his run?
Marietta stalled, biting her lip and turning away as if she were abashed. “He wished to see me alone and sent Queen Valeriya away. He was happy to see me dressed and out of the suite.” She paused, turning to him. “Is he always so… friendly?”
The flush crept up to his cheeks. “What do you mean by friendly?”
She turned her back to him to hide her lie. “I didn’t know he could be so flattering. Had plenty of compliments to give.”
“Don’t believe a word he said.”
Marietta snapped her head back towards him. “Excuse you.”
“Not what I meant, Mar.”
“Is it so hard to believe that the King would compliment me?”
“No, you are stunning—always.” He ground his jaw, hand mussing his hair. “Wyl has done this before, with… other females. Not as bold, usually. He—” Keyain shook his head. “He would always compliment and make them uncomfortable. But never this,” he said, pointing to the note. “That is new.” He paused with a breath. “And after the incident at the temple—”
“There wasn’t an incident.”
“They found a body behind the temple,” he said, taking the seat across from her. “And on the day you were to visit. It’s not a coincidence.”
“It was a coincidence. You can’t prevent me from leaving the palace again.” Marietta crossed her arms over her chest. The nerve he had.
“It wasn’t a coincidence and you’re not leaving—” Keyain paused as the servants knocked, entering with their dinner. “You’re not leaving the palace for a carriage ride with Wyl,” he continued in a hushed voice.
“You don’t get to make that decision.” She nodded her thanks to the elves, who set down the platters before they turned and left.
Silence settled between them, the food engrossing Keyain’s attention. They had talked about this; he couldn’t continue to control her. And yes, finding the body of one of the missing pilinos was tragic, but Marietta wasn’t in danger, not when Keyain would surround her with guards any time she steppedfoot outside of the suite. Who would dare try to abduct her when she was that well-protected?
Determined to make it clear to Keyain that she alone could decide for herself, she would accept the King’s invitation. It might play into whatever scheme the King planned, yet it was the perfect opportunity to show control. She’d send her response in the morning.
Breaking the silence, Keyain rambled about court news, something about someone being pregnant out of wedlock. Marietta held back her surprise, not from the news but at the fact Keyain entertained such gossip. The conversation lulled as Marietta nodded along, feigning amusement at his stories. By the crestfallen look on his face, he gathered she didn’t want to talk. What he should have realized was that Marietta didn’t want to talk to him.
“Have you done anything interesting as of late? Anything exciting on your walks with Amryth, or that you’ve read?” he asked, taking a sip of his wine. Keyain was trying—she’d give him that.
“Not really.” She pushed the remaining vegetables on her plate around.
Keyain nodded. “Well, if you’re looking for another way to spend your time, Elyse may ask you to visit with you soon. Just you and her.”
Surprised, Marietta knitted her brows. “Elyse? You mean your formally betrothed?”
Keyain blew out a breath. “She and I were never going to marry. I couldn’t, not when I already had a marriage certificate signed to you.”
“So you were misleading her.”
