Page 167 of A Queen's Game
History of the Fey.
Myths & Legends of the Akroi Region.
Fulbryk’s Guide to Chorys Dasi.
“I’ll try, but I’m not sure if I’ll find them all within two weeks.” The library was extensive, and not having the librarians’ help would slow the search.
“That’s alright, just find what you can.” He turned away to head to the door but paused. “Prioritize findingFulbryk’s Guide to Chorys Dasi.” Sylas looked over his shoulder with a conflicted stare.
“Okay,” she said. “Sylas, thank you for everything.”
He shrugged, placing his hands in his pocket. “It was nothing. I’m happy I had the time with you.”
Elyse couldn’t help but smile. Sylas scowled, rolled his eyes, and pretended not to care—but he did. She closed the space between them, throwing her arms around him. The amber and pine scent consumed her, causing her to think of his home in the mountains of Chorys Dasi.
Sylas embraced her, his chin resting on her head. For a moment, they stood there and Elyse sighed into him, happy to have stopped crying. He pulled away, cupping her face. “I’ll find you before we leave, so this isn’t goodbye yet.”
She nodded and dropped her arms, letting Sylas go to the door.
He looked over his shoulder one last time. “And remember, bring Brynden a gift.”
Her head spun with the information that dinner yielded hours after Sylas left. One thing had become clear to her: she knew very little. Very little of Brynden, of her mother, of the world around her. It was heartbreaking to think that she had lived almost three decades but missed so much. Perhaps she should consider Sylas’ proposal, since living in Satiros had been a disappointment in that regard. But then there was the King. If her mother had trained him, then he had her best interests at heart, right? Gods, maybe he didn’t. She knew so little of her mother before she passed. Her mental state already deteriorated by the time Elyse was old enough to comprehend what was happening.
What hurt the most was Brynden’s truth. He was significantly older than her and failed to mention his previous betrothal. Though she supposed he didn’t owe her anything to share such a heartbreaking tale. Who was Simi? Why did she die, and was Brynden still in love with her? The questions haunted Elyse late into the night.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Marietta
Marietta tried the desk drawer every day, hoping Keyain slipped up again; yet, he didn’t. She wished to explore more of his files, to see if anything else would be useful. The documents she stole were nestled deep in her wardrobe with the nymph dagger, waiting for the next time she’d meet with Valeriya.
Though she’s had no luck with the drawer, she’s managed glimpses of papers and file names while tangling herself in Keyain’s arms every morning, asking him to stay. All lies, of course, but he didn’t realize that. Every morning he acted as though he was heartbroken to be leaving her each day, but he enjoyed the begging, especially after the incident in the gardens with King Wyltam.
The guard, Adalyn, had seen enough of Wyltam’s actions that Keyain insisted she shared every detail about the garden. When she got to the part of their almost kiss, Keyain lost control of his temper, leaving the suite so Marietta wouldn’t see. When he returned later with a calmer mood, Marietta pestered him until he admitted to hunting down King Wyltam and working out his frustrations. Did that mean he hit the King? She wasn’t sure, but it thrilled her to know the plan worked.
So, she played the part of the doting wife, of needing one last kiss, of wanting one more minute with him. Keyain was wrapped around her finger and didn’t notice her glances at his files. The information she gleaned wasn’t much. Just file names labeledTRM-Expfollowed by a series of numbers. A few files mention Notos. It wasn’t solid, but perhaps they planned to target the southern city next.
It became her new obsession, waking up early with Keyain each morning and playing that game. Her attitude softened him enough that he had arranged for a day in the city with Elyse and Brynden. She was excited to meet Elyse’s fervent worshiper and to switch up her dragging routine. Even with the expansive sprawl of the Central Gardens, she could only take so many walks before they grew tedious. Fortunately, Valeriya invited her for tea once again. Sitting in a room for hours with the Queen’s Court wasn’t her ideal fun, but she would accept whatever break in the routine she could get.
Donned in an olive green off-the-shoulder dress with jeweled flowers lining the neckline, Marietta felt prepared for tea with the ladies, yet she still complained. “They’re just going to gossip about people I don’t know.”
“Well, what did you expect?” Amryth laughed beside her in her guard’s uniform, escorting her through the halls of the Royal’s Wing.
Golden sunlight shone through the tall windows of the hall as they walked. Even after a few months in the palace, Marietta still felt uncomfortable next to its grandeur. Amethyst inlaid floors, gold-gilded pillars, and silk tapestries hanging from the walls were things unaccustomed to her.
“I don’t know—perhaps a riveting conversation that doesn’t involve insulting people for two hours?”
“You can check the guards with me instead.”
Marietta laughed, swatting the air. “Can you imagine how upset Keyain would be if he heard we did that?”
Amryth cut her a quick smile. “Oh, he’d be furious with us.”
“I’d rather deal with a furious Keyain than tactless peacocks for two hours,” Marietta said as they reached the grand staircase that had thick green carpet running down its middle. At the top, a few ladies of the Queen’s Court lingered in the hall, catching sight of Marietta.
“Too late to turn back now,” Amryth said with a nod towards the ladies.
“Gods, I don’t want to go up there. I don’t recognize anyone.” Marietta stood on her tiptoes to see who arrived. “This is why I didn’t prefer to be fifteen minutes early.”
