Page 251 of A Queen's Game
The King nodded his head. “This is all for Adryan’s knowledge, if the questions repeat. Where do they live?”
“In Notos, about an hour outside.”
“And which city-state did you grow up in?”
“Does that really matter?”
Adryan huffed a laugh, a smile curling on his lips. “I like her.”
The King locked eyes with Marietta. “I like her, too.”
Her stupid heart stuttered at his words. Gods, she was about to die and she acted like a foolish girl. She sighed and said, “I was born and raised in Kentro. I lived there until I moved to Olkia with Tilan Reid.”
“Speaking of Tilan,” Wyltam went on, “were you aware of his position within the Exisotis?”
“Not until Valeriya shared that with me. Keyain confirmed it afterward.”
“Can you confirm that you knew nothing of Keyain’s work in Enomenos until I told you?”
“What does this have to do with anything?”
“Please answer, Marietta.”
She shook her head, meeting his gaze. “He refused to tell me.”
“Even to this day?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Valeriya was working with the Chorys Dasians?”
Marietta remembered her revelation the last time she prayed to Therypon. “Not until it was too late. When I agreed to aid her, I believed that the information would go to the Exisotis.”
“And last question,” Wyltam said. “Why did you steal information from Keyain under the pretense that Queen Valeriya would give it to the Exisotis?”
She swallowed hard, remembering the Queen’s intense gaze from their first meeting. “I was angry with Keyain. Angry that he attacked my home city-state. Angry that he signed that marriage contract without my consent.”
Adryan’s brows raised with the last comment, the humor in his expression fading away. “Do you mind if I ask a question?”
Marietta sized him up, looking from his head to his toes. “Not at all.”
“Why would Keyain sign a marriage contract without your consent?” Adryan looked between Wyltam and her as he leaned forward. “Then he dragged you back to Satiros a decade later.”
“Keyain said he thought I’d agree to a marriage when I never once suggested, entertained, or considered the idea.” Her fists clenched at her sides, letting the anger take over. “Why did you say drag mebackto Satiros? I’ve never been to Satiros before Keyain abducted me.”
Adryan furrowed his brows, then raised them as his jaw dropped. “That’s what you’re looking for.”
“I think that’s enough for today,” Wyltam said, staring at Marietta. “Adryan, I will find you later this afternoon.”
The minister cleared his throat and stood. “Again, Marietta, it was a pleasure.”
She offered a weak smile as he left the room. The space seemed smaller with him gone, the King staring at her with such sadness. Once again, he took off his expressionless mask.
Marietta slid off the bed and walked over to him, standing before his chair. “Are you going to explain or let me speculate?”
Wyltam leaned back, looking amused. “With due time, I’ll tell you anything you wish to know.”
“Well, it seems like I’m going to die in two—”
