Page 163 of A Queen's Game
“Like a raw diamond,” she murmured, remembering Brynden’s words from the townhouse.
“That’s not a bad comparison,” Sylas said, running his free hand through the curls of his hair. “I’m surprised to hear you make such a reference.”
“Brynden told me I was a raw diamond—that I’m resilient and full of potential.”
Sylas stared for a moment, then released her hand and resumed eating. “Of course he did. He isn’t wrong. Have you ever seen a raw diamond?”
“No,” she admitted.
Sylas laughed, swallowing a bite. “The reference is specific. Raw diamonds are unrefined, neither shaped nor polished. The lands I lord over are in the mountains of Chorys Dasi, and my people mine the black and white diamonds for the city-state’s export.”
Elyse forced herself to eat once more, happy for the change in subject. “I assumed you were just an emissary.”
“I’m a lot of things,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve made myself useful in Chorys Dasi. When I’m away at court or working for the Queen, my sister picks up my slack. Though we bring in much gold from mining diamonds, our population is quaint and easier to manage.” A smile came to his lips as he thought.
“You love it there,” she noted, smiling to herself.
“I do. I miss the fresh air and pine scent of the mountains. When I have free time, I hike up to the waterfalls, sleeping out under the stars in the summer.”
Pine scent—she tilted her head. “Is that why you smell like pine? Because it reminds you of home?”
Sylas went still. “What do you mean?”
Elyse ripped a chunk of bread as she remembered back to the day in the townhouse. “When you tied my dress, I smelled amber and pine cologne on you.”
His brows raised as he forced a laugh. “Correct, which is why I wear it. Every time I leave my family’s lands, I count down the days until I can return to the mountains.”
“The mountains must be beautiful,” she said wistfully. “Perhaps I could visit you one day.”
“If you can leave this palace, then of course.” Sylas shifted back in his chair, his arm resting atop the empty seat next to him. “Do you wish to leave Satiros still?”
A complicated question. “I do, but I may have found a way to leave on occasion.” Visiting the other courts on behalf of King Wyltam would at least get her out of Satiros.
“Would you like to leave for forever?” Sylas set down his fork, his expression growing serious.
“I don’t think marrying Brynden is a good idea.”
“There’s another option,” he said, raising a brow. “I offer my hand to you if you wish to be free of here.”
Her silverware dropped with a clatter to her plate. “What?”
“Hear me out,” he said, holding up his hands. “Not for any nefarious reason, but simply so you have a chance to be free.”
“I—what?” Elyse took a steadying breath, attempting to wrap her head around the idea.
“Be warned that being married wouldn’t prevent Brynden from pursuing a relationship, so also take that into consideration.” Sylas shifted in his chair, his lips pulling into afrown. “Regardless if you want to be with him, he will fight for you.”
“But you just said that I should stay in Satiros to study,” she said, exasperated. “Now you’re asking me to marry you?”
“I said that you should stay in Satiros if Brynden tried to change your mind,” Sylas said, dropping his arm to lean forward. “No matter what promise he makes, there is no guarantee that he can marry you. But if you wished to leave, by your choice alone, if you wish to visit Chorys Dasi and see the mountains, if you want to escape this city-state, then I offer you a chance to be free.”
“And what about studying magic?”
Sylas huffed a dry laugh. “If you haven’t caught on,” he said, raising his hand. “I’m a mage, Elyse. I would teach you, though I have fewer resources and time.” A gust of air blew gently across her face from his hand.
Elyse stared at him, pulling her thoughts together as she remembered Sylas walking her through magic at the townhouse, or him looking at her notes. If he was an emissary but also a mage…. “Are you a spy?” Her eyes were wide as she pushed her chair back. Was Sylas what Wyltam wanted her to become?
“What?” he said, a scowl coming to his face. “What made you think that?”
