Page 169 of A Queen's Game
“I can make it more than two.”
“Two and a half.” Amryth gave Elyse an unimpressed look that caused her to laugh.
“That’s still more than two.” Marietta smiled, the warmth flaring in her chest. “How did you ever respond to that letter? I’ve been dying to know.”
“Well,” Elyse said, hesitating with her cheeks still red. “I may have drawn a portrait of myself. Topless.”
Marietta whooped with delight. “Elyse, I don’t know if Brynden could handle such an image of his goddess. His guided hands will be doing a lot of nightly prayers.”
“His what?” Amryth stopped, bent over from laughing. “Does that male seriously call you the goddess?”
Elyse smiled through her blush as she told Amryth the story at the bottom of the staircase. Marietta, of course, chimed in with quotes about his effective ways of praying.
“Gods, I’m going to have to stand guard over you four when you go into the city.” Amryth shook her head.
“I didn’t even think about that,” Marietta said with a laugh. “Do you think you can hold a straight face when I ask Brynden about his prayer schedule in front of Keyain?”
They busted out laughing, paying no mind to the other waiting ladies—or the lack thereof.
“Ladies,” Queen Valeriya called. Marietta turned to see her standing at the top of the stairs with a smile. “Teatime is about to start.”
Chapter Sixty-Three
Valeriya
To think the two have grown so close in just a few short months. Though Valeriya wished to be a part of that friendship, her time would come when she set her new court. With Elyse’s strength as a mage and having Marietta remain as a lady well after Keyain was removed, she would have that time to bond with them. In the meantime, it excited her to watch the two together—proof that Satiros could blend like Reyila.
Tryda sat across from Valeriya, much to her displeasure. Technically, she was her Lady-In-Waiting, but she couldn’t stand the female. When she first arrived in Satiros, Tryda had advised how Queen Olytia ruled, thinking Valeriya would follow suit. Never had someone been so off base.
Valeriya instead turned her attention to Marietta and Elyse once more. Marietta would lean over every once in a while and whisper something to Elyse that would make her laugh. In the years that Elyse had been on the Queen’s Court, she had never looked so comfortable. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Queen Valeriya?” Tryda said, placing a hand on her forearm.
“Apologies,” she said, tearing her gaze away from the pair. “My mind often wanders these days. Can you repeat that?”
“Of course, your grace,” said Grytaine, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Do you think you and the King will try for a second child?”
Valeriya’s smile became forced. “With the war efforts going on, not anytime soon.” Or ever. Mycaub was all she ever needed.
“A shame,” Grytaine said with a frown that didn’t match the glint in her eye. “And what of you, Marietta? Has the war stopped you and Keyain from trying for a child?”
Marietta coughed on her tea, her eyes wide. Valeriya knew her answer, understood how much Marietta hated Keyain. Valeriya smirked over the rim of her teacup.
“Oh, well, I would be lying if I said there hadn’t been opportunities.” Marietta flashed a grin with a flick of her brow. “Many opportunities, in fact.”
Laughter came from the ladies of the room, but Valeriya paused. She hadn’t considered pregnancy when she met with Marietta and told her to seduce Keyain essentially. The idea of Marietta having a child with Keyain nauseated her. It would not differ from her and Wyltam.
“Well,” Grytaine answered, her hand falling to her abdomen, “if you keep that up and find yourself with child soon, we would be expecting around the same time.”
“Oh, Grytaine!” cried Tryda with a clap of her hands. “That is so exciting! Congratulations. I’m sure you and Royir are excited.”
Valeriya smiled and said her best wishes, but knew it was just one of many children Royir now possessed, though most were illegitimate. Poor Grytaine.
Apparently, she wasn’t the only one to have thoughts about the announcement. Valeriya’s focus narrowed on Marietta, who whispered to Elyse again. The two stifled their laughter while Grytaine and the ladies spoke of the pregnancy.
A pang of envy rattled her at the sight, wishing to swap such comments with a friend. Valeriya had been alone in Satiros for so long that she forgot what it was like to have someone like that. Nystanya had always been that person until she married Auryon. She loved Katya deeply, but their relationship didn’t replace friendship. Her sister was her first friend, and she assumed it would always be that way.
Valeriya sighed and swallowed her emotions, plastering on a smile for her court. Once she proved herself, Nystanya would come back around regardless of Auryon’s presence. They could be sisters once again, making history with one another. Their time would come.
