Page 30 of A Queen's Game
He brought her to the structure, holding her hands and looking into her eyes with a smile. The attention caused her breath to pick up again; she couldn’t drop her drugged facade.
“I’m lucky, you know. To have you here,” Keyain murmured, his thumb brushing her hand. “I wish I didn’t need to drug you. I miss the real you, the person I have loved all this time. Only a few more weeks, Mar. Then you’ll be safe at my home in the countryside.” Golden rays broke through the canopy of flowers above, wrapping Keyain in shifting light, causing his green eyes to glow.
He leaned towards Marietta, her eyes open and able to see the freckles that dotted his cheeks and nose. Keyain kissed her as gently as the breeze, soft and caressing. Tilan’s face pictured in her mind, his smile, his tender kisses. Her body stiffened at the touch. A sharp inhale of air came through her nose.
What did he mean by the countryside? He was trying to take her away from here, but why?
Don’t eat or drink what they bring you. Don’t let them know you know.
Someone in Satiros wanted Marietta to know this information—wanted to see her sober. Numbness spread throughout her body as her breathing came as sharp inhales, her heart racing.
Keyain planned to isolate her in a place where no one could intervene. She would be at his will, alone and weak. She took a shuddering breath as her mask cracked. He pulled back, his brows furrowed as he looked into her face, his two fingers finding her chin again.
Marietta tried to calm herself, but emotion overwhelmed her. Keyain had killed Tilan, taken her away to this strange place, and now would cut her off from the world. Was he going to hurt her? Was he going to make her have his children to get everything he ever wanted?
Keyain’s eyes widened, his hand dropping as Marietta failed to hide her overwhelming emotions. “Marietta, what did you do?”
Chapter Seventeen
Marietta
Marietta needed to run, needed to escape Keyain. His fingers tightened on her chin, pulling her closer as she struggled to leave. “Damn it, Mar. You’re not drugged,” his voice cracked, thick with emotion.
Keyain gripped her arm as she attempted to flee, holding her in place. Panicked, she couldn’t breathe, though she heaved her breaths. She fought him, pulling against his hold,
“Why… how…” he stammered, eyes searching her face for an answer.
“Oh, Keyain, Marietta! What are the chances?” a high, honeyed voice called from the path.
A mask fell over his emotions as his eyes shifted towards the voice. “Queen Valeriya, what are the chances indeed,” he ground out as he dropped Marietta’s chin and offered a stiff bow.
A thin elven woman in a slinky black dress appeared on the path. Her features were sharp and beautiful, almost as sharp as her eyes that glanced between the two. “Just in time for tea, as well. I would love to escort her the rest of the way, Keyain. You’re very busy these days,” she said, her thick red hair flipping over her shoulder. A thin crown of gold was nestled in its mass.
Keyain held his hand out in front of Marietta as if he meant to put distance between her and the Queen. His jaw tensed as he said, “I’m afraid Marietta isn’t feeling well, so she must decline for afternoon tea. I should—”
The Queen raised her hand. A long sigh escaped from his nose. “Need I remind you that this wasn’t an ask? It was a demand.” A smirk spread across her lips. “Come, Marietta. I’ve been dying to meet you.”
As Marietta looked at Keyain, panic seized its last grip on her. With wide eyes, he dropped his hand and let Marietta pass. Keyain’s fingers lingered on her skin as if he wanted to pull her back.
The Queen extended an arm to Marietta that she took, her limbs still numbed. “I’m pleased to see you’re feeling better than last night,” Valeriya said, eyes cutting to Keyain. “You seem more alert today.”
Last night? Did she meet Queen Valeriya? Her tone suggested she knew Keyain had drugged Marietta. The Queen was toying with them. Marietta wanted to turn back to watch Keyain. He was a monster, but at least she could predict him. She understood him.
Why would she be dying to meet Marietta, a simple baker from Olkia? None of it made sense.
As they walked down the garden path, Marietta’s breath still shook, with tears lining her eyes. Quick blinks attempted to hold them back, failing as they trailed down her cheeks.
The Queen held Marietta’s arm, patting it. “Breathe. It’s alright,” she whispered.
Marietta gasped, but her throat was tight. She couldn’t breathe. Choking, Marietta bent over and grasped at her neck. The Queen swore and led her off the path to a bench hidden by greenery, gesturing for Marietta to sit. With each shudderingbreath, her vision spotted. The world spun as she beheld the Queen. It was too much.
She imagined the draw of the knife on Tilan’s throat, the spill of blood as it cut through his flesh. They destroyed Olkia, her friends killed by Satiroan soldiers, by Keyain’s hand. Marietta saw her friend Tristina lying dead next to her children, a pool of blood around them. Keyain’s touch on her skin, his lips a violation of her body. The moments kept playing in her head, one after another.
“Hush, place your head between your knees,” Valeriya said as she bent down to Marietta’s face. Icy blue eyes peered up at Marietta, her brows knitted with concern. A gentle hand found Marietta’s knee. “It’s alright. I promise I won’t hurt you. Take your time and breathe deeply.”
Marietta focused on the Queen’s face, grounding herself in the moment. She shook the plaguing thoughts from her mind while counting each breath. On a count of four, she inhaled, holding her breath, then slowly released it. With it, Marietta’s heartbeat slowed, and her vision returned to normal. When she sat up, she looked at the Queen. “How did you know I needed help?”
“It was clear Keyain has been drugging you. I assumed he spiked your food and beverages,” she said as a smirk spread across her lips. “I’m glad you got my note.”
