Page 220 of A Queen's Game
The room felt confined, too small, as her breaths came sharp, sucking nothing into her lungs. Marietta’s vision blackened on the edges as she collapsed to the bench, trying to breathe. Keyain would get what he wanted—and it wasn’t her on trial. Keyain would get his family. He would make Marietta carry his child. He would force into her the life she never wanted. With a heaving gasp, tears came as she suppressed her sob.
Suddenly, there came the warmth flaring from the center of her chest and easing her breath. “You never walk alone,” a voice whispered at the back of her mind.
Through the haze of her panic, she turned to Therypon’s statue. The heat flared again, steadying her breath. Marietta wasn’t alone. She would be Therypon’s Iros, and her friends would help her. Never again would she be trapped.
She focused on her steadying breath. On a count to four, she inhaled through her nose, exhaling slowly through her mouth, until her heart settled and she could breathe again. In her calmstate, she shut her eyes, clearing her mind to pray to the goddess. She would know what to do, how to help.
A minute into freeing her thoughts, there was a soft swish from behind the statue. When she opened her eyes, she found Amryth standing at a hidden door in the wall, face taut with worry as she held a finger to her mouth. Glancing at the room’s entrance, Marietta stood and walked to Amryth as quietly as she could. When she stepped aside, a man in a similar cloak to Marietta’s appeared, his hair long and curled like her own. With a wink, he went and sat on the bench, his back to the door.
Amryth took Marietta’s arm, guiding her down the secret passage as the door slid shut. Marietta wanted to cry, to hug Amryth, but she hurried her steps, anxiety rolling off her.
After a few minutes, Amryth paused, listening through the wall, then pulled it open. Beyond was a dark room, lit only by a candle, and within the glowing light, she saw Coryn and Deania. Marietta sighed with relief, pulling Amryth into a hug as the door shut behind them.
“I’m going to murder Ryder, I swear to you,” she said into her hair. “As soon as Keyain said he forbade me to take you, I knew what was happening.” She pulled back, placing her hands on Marietta’s shoulders. “When does he plan on taking you to his manor?”
Marietta huffed a small laugh, knowing Amryth knew Keyain better than she did. “Next week.”
“Then you need to decide,” said Coryn, drawing her attention. “We have enough Iros congregated to perform the ceremony right now, but we have a few questions.”
“I’m not actually with child,” she said, hoping to quell his anxiety. Instead, he exchanged glances with Deania.
“We know,” Deania answered. “Amryth told us already. But to give you asylum from the crown, we need to ensure you have broken no laws.” She hesitated, fidgeting with her long braid.“Grysella told us you’re working with the Exisotis, that you’re stealing information. So, when Amryth also shared that you’re under the ministers’ suspicion for treason….” She didn’t finish the sentence, looking at Marietta with wide, hopeful eyes.
Marietta took a steadying breath. “Grysella is correct; their investigation is justified.”
Coryn swore, wiping his face. “Then we need a new plan.” He paced, eyes darting in thought. “Why do they think you’re pregnant?”
Marietta clenched her jaw. “I was trying to listen in on a council meeting after I heard the Exisotis made a move. When Keyain’s guards hassled me, it sort of slipped out.”
Coryn turned back toward her. “How does that just slip out?”
Marietta sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know—I just wanted to listen in on the meeting, not this. At least it was a good lie. Keyain has always wanted one thing from me.”
Coryn whipped his head to Amryth, then back to Marietta. “I’m guessing it’s believable because you have been having sex with him?”
Marietta felt the heat flood her face. “Who are you to judge me?”
Coryn shook his head. “The goddess chose you, Marietta. Did you think we wouldn’t protect you? They could have caught you listening, and even if you gave no excuse, the temple could claim custody. You didn’t need to have this added layer of lies.”
“ I already had decided that I was going to leave. Keyain planned to end our marriage when the war ended, and I needed to get away before King Wyltam did something else.”
“Funny that you bring up the King. Do those rumors hold any merit? Coryn asked.
“Why does that matter?”
“Because some people think you’re carrying the King’s child.” Coryn’s lips tugged into a frown.
Marietta looked him dead in the eye. “He and I kissed, but the last time I checked, you can’t get pregnant from kissing someone.”
Coryn sighed, shaking his head as he looked away. “Why would you even kiss him in the first place?”
She hated the shame that burnt into her cheeks. “I thought he was different,” she said, remembering Wyltam’s sweet words. “I guess I was wrong.”
“Different how?”
“Why are you giving me such a hard time about this?” she snapped.
His expression softened. “Because I care.”
