Page 219 of A Queen's Game
“I sound more like a prisoner,” she said, her heart sinking. How would Deania and Coryn help her if Ryder watched her so closely?
“Well, it’s mostly for your protection. Word of your pregnancy has spread, and Keyain didn’t want to take any chances.” He stood, stooping in the low cab as he offered Marietta his hand. “Everything else is because I don’t trust you.”
“You don’t say,” Marietta grumbled, ignoring his offered hand to stand.
Ryder laughed as he opened the door, stepping out of the carriage where guards flanked the two steps to the courtyard’s entrance. He looked back at her, flashing a grin as if he always found something amusing. “Let’s go give your goodbyes.”
Olive and oak trees spotted the temple’s back courtyard. Beds of echinacea, chamomile, milk thistle, and valerian flourished in patches, the flowers familiar from her mother’s gardens in Notos. Foxglove and castor bean plants grew in a few spots, which surprised Marietta that they’d have such poisonous plant life.
A group of armed attendants approached from the doorway. At their front was Coryn, lips tugging into a frown. Ryder stepped closer to Marietta’s side, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Welcome back, Marietta,” Coryn said, one side of his mouth lifting into a smile. “Odd circumstances but congratulations on your pregnancy.”
Coryn and Deania believed she was actually pregnant. She fought the fear that climbed up her throat, threatening to choke her words. “Odd is one way to describe this,” she said, pulling out of Ryder’s grip.
“I will let Keyain know you send congratulations to him as well,” Ryder added. “He’s very excited to bethefather.”
Coryn furrowed his brows. “I don’t doubt that he is.”
“It’d be best if you remembered that,” warned Ryder.
“Gods, Ryder. Enough,” Marietta snapped. “Can I please go?”
“Of course,” Ryder said, grinning. “Lead the way, attendants.”
Deania met them inside, her face lined with worry as she took in Marietta. “I’m happy to see you’re alright,” she said, her high-pitched voice sweet.
“Why wouldn’t she be alright?” Ryder asked, hovering at Marietta’s shoulder.
Marietta turned to him, taking a step away with a glare. When she turned back to Deania, she threw her into a hug.
“Everything will be alright,” she whispered into her ear.
The panic eased in Marietta’s chest. They would help her—Deania and Coryn wouldn’t let Keyain take her to the countryside. She pulled away, finding Coryn at her side. As she raised her arms to embrace him as well, Ryder’s hand landed on her shoulder, stopping her. “I think that’s close enough.”
Coryn’s eyes narrowed on Ryder. “You’re almost as controlling as her husband.”
“I’m but an extension of Keyain,” Ryder said. “I act on his behalf.”
“Great,” Marietta said, “as if one Keyain wasn’t enough.”
“Well, one Keyain didn’t stop you from making poor decisions,” Ryder replied.
Marietta turned to snap at him, but Ryder spoke over her. “Please show us the way to the private prayer room. We shouldn’t dawdle. So you both are aware, this will be Lady Marietta’s last visit.”
Deania and Coryn exchanged worried glances. “You can’t prevent Marietta from visiting the temple,” Deania said, taking a step down the hall.
“You’re correct.” Ryder guided Marietta to follow. “But it’ll be hard to visit the temple once she’s no longer in the Satiros proper.”
The questions they had died on their lips, their stares falling on Marietta. She lifted her chin, grimacing. Aware of Ryder’s close inspection, she didn’t dare give them any look, any hint of what Keyain had planned, and how she felt about it.
They wove through the temple, Ryder at her back, with Coryn and Deania leading the way. The guards that traveled with the carriage waited at the exit. Ryder gave brief instructions tosurvey the back, adding that the second team would monitor the front.
The prayer chamber sat at the heart of the temple on the top floor. A window set high in the wall lit the room made of all-white stone. At the far end was a modest-sized statue of the goddess and before it a single bench. “Take the time you need, Marietta,” Ryder said, pushing her in.
She glanced back once to Deania and Coryn, concern lacing their features as the door shut behind her. Alone in the room, she took a shattering breath.
She had to escape—this couldn’t be her future. Even if she wasn’t with child, today only confirmed her biggest fear: if Keyain found out she was lying about being pregnant, then he would ensure it happened after all of this. After the news became so public, he wouldn’t risk the embarrassment.
