Page 119 of A Queen's Game
Chapter Forty-Seven
Elyse
Only two days for Elyse to respond to Brynden’s poetic apology. Two days. She was hopelessly stupid if she believed she’d come up with something worthy in that short amount of time. Set before her was a blank sheet of paper, as it had for the previous two hours, on the wood surface of the desk in the King’s office.
Keenly aware of how close it was to noon, Elyse pulled at her hair, slumped back in her seat, staring at the blank page. What Brynden had written was beautiful. How would she even come close to such an eloquent response? The answer was she couldn’t.
Frustrated, she picked up the charcoal again and began to sketch their first kiss on the night of the ball. Perhaps dwelling in that moment would inspire words to come to her. The thrill of the moment. The heat of her stomach. The hope of freedom. The more she drew, the clearer she translated the night to the page. Brynden held her, his face against her own as they kissed in the Central Garden.
She set down the charcoal to examine her work. The likeness of their faces and their bodies were, in her opinion, perfect.Perhaps if she added the garden around them and the drift globes above….
By the time she finished, it was close to noon. The drawing wasn’t a letter, but she was proud of it, something she would want to keep in memory of that evening. However, it seemed like it missed a message. What did the moment mean to her that Brynden didn’t realize?
Hope.
That moment was when hope blossomed in her chest. Hope to be free, to live a better life, of a better future, perhaps with Brynden. In her best attempt at calligraphy, she wrote the word that surmised her feelings.
Elyse kept the folded drawing tucked deep into her pocket as she darted across the palace. She was late to meet Sylas, but at least she had something to give him.
A thin layer of sweat coated her body as she reached the willow. Sylas leaned against its trunk with a deep scowl on his face. “You’re late.”
“I know,” she said, out of breath. “I was finishing up my letter.”
Sylas let out a sigh, stepping towards Elyse. “Perhaps next time, finish before you’re supposed to meet me, so I’m not waiting for you.”
Elyse cut him a glare as she handed over the paper to him. “Sorry that I was late, but not everyone can write poetry like Brynden. How in the gods was I supposed to follow that up?”
Sylas rolled his eyes. “You could have written one word and it would’ve been enough. If only you could see the manic fool he’sbecome since being banned from the palace and barred from seeing you.”
“Wait, you’re not going to—” She was too late. Sylas unfolded the drawing.
With one brow raised, he looked it over with a scowl. “You did just write one word.” He laughed, breaking the stony demeanor on his face.
“Well, I didn’t intend for anyone but Brynden to see it,” she snapped. “What is wrong with you?”
“I have to check everything exchanged between you two to make sure nothing… inappropriate is said.”
“Gods, was that Keyain’s stupid rule?”
“No. Sauntyr’s.” Sylas shook his head with a smile hooking his lips. “This is going to drive him crazy.”
Elyse closed her eyes with a sigh. “I know, it’s lousy compared to what he made—”
“No, you misunderstood me. You’re talented at drawing, and that alone is going to send Brynden over. Is this a picture of something that happened or that you hope to do?”
“That was us the night of the ball. The kiss that gave me hope.”
Sylas glanced down at the paper, then back at Elyse, pursing his lips. “I don’t mean to sound like an ass, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“Well, you sound like an ass,” Elyse said, crossing her arms.
“Just because Sauntyr gave his blessing, it doesn’t mean his sister would.”
Sister? Elyse didn’t even realize Brynden had a sister.
Her expression must have said as much, causing Sylas to roll his eyes, swearing. “You didn’t know he even had a sister, did you? What about a brother?” When Elyse didn’t answer, he continued. “His sister is the matriarch of the family—evenSauntyr listens to her. Which means you must get her blessing still to marry him, and I honestly don’t think you’ll get it, Elyse.”
She turned her back to him, staring out at the pond. Though she ended her future with Brynden, the truth of the situation stung. “Don’t worry. Brynden won’t get the King’s blessing either, so I don’t have any hope left.” Brynden wouldn’t receive it with the King’s plans for her. The admittance crushed the small part of her heart that had still relished the thought.
