Page 47 of A Queen's Game
“It’s alright. I don’t mind the quiet type. I’m sure I can get you to say a lot if you give me a chance.” The guard tried to grab her shoulder, but as she sensed it coming, her body twisted away, dodging his hand.
“Leave that servant girl alone,” called a demanding voice. Valeriya smirked as an officer came into view. The higher-ranked soldiers kept their subordinates in line, preventing them from bothering servant girls trying to go about their jobs.
“Yes, captain,” he said, bowing his head. Under his breath, he whispered to Valeriya, “Until later, sweetie.”
Valeriya let her eye roll show that time, earning a grin from him. The male elves of Syllogi were much less subtle than those in Reyila. They acted as if they had never touched a female and were desperate to do so. That was the one part of her husband for which she was thankful—he didn’t possess that trait.
As she approached the gate, the guards didn’t question Valeriya, since servants often came and went from the palace. Time was working against her, though, as she stepped into the street, anxious to be out after dark.
Her servant visage may be that of an elf, yet the disappearance of pilinos in Satiros alarmed her still. Since that day at tea, the original six were reported missing, and another two disappeared that week: five half-elves, three humans, and no sign of their whereabouts.
The shadows hid Valeriya as she walked on the sidewalks, staying close to the buildings. Magic thrummed around her bodyas she maintained her appearance, having to keep it up outside the palace, too. The risk of someone seeing her wasn’t worth it, especially with what she was about to do.
She turned, making her way further into the city, weaving between streets in case anyone followed her. To her pleasure, none did.
Ahead of her was the opulent Wisteria Heights, home to the wealthiest elves of Satiros. The townhomes matched the buildings elsewhere in the city—whitewashed with vines climbing up the side. The most notable difference was the height of the structures in the neighborhood. In some wealthier spots, the houses had six floors, balconies, and ornate columns. The more work they had done to their homes, the more money they had.
Parks with open grassy areas, old trees, and elaborate gardens broke up the blocks. They were the size of markets in the wealthier sections and grew smaller as the neighborhood moved away from the palace. The cobblestone streets narrowed into sidewalks through the park, mimicking the intricacy of the palace gardens but on a much smaller scale. The golden glow emitted from light globes hung over the park, casting their light on the denizens taking a night stroll.
Valeriya thought of her task at hand. The truth was, her husband made a poor king who cared little about ruling or his people. He didn’t care for diplomacy either, often ignoring the other cities of Syllogi, leaving Gyrsh to tend to affairs as Minister of Foreign Relations.
There was no time for her to dwell on her choices. If she wanted to make a lasting legacy as the Queen of Satiros, this was her chance. Change would come to Satiros, and it would be by her hand.
Valeriya wound her way deeper into the residential section, where the houses gave way to apartment buildings and marketswere easier to find than parks. The drop site was down a dark-lit alley, shadows pooling in the middle. With a glance, checking for watchful eyes, Valeriya stepped into the darkness, crouching next to the wall of the building. A brick popped out of the wall with the work of her dagger, revealing a hidden compartment behind.
Not letting doubt crowd her mind, she slid the thick envelope in and replaced the brick. Valeriya left the alley, not thinking twice about the lives she just altered.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Elyse
Late in the afternoon, Elyse sat in her usual spot in the library, curled up withThe History of Lyken Fulbryk.History books weren’t her first choice, but she recognized his name when she selected it some time ago. Who told her about him—was it her father? Or maybe her mother when Elyse was young? She couldn’t recall exactly, but she remembered one thing—Fulbryk was an adventurer.
The text was heavy on Fulbryk’s Ten Principles of Magic, but in between his teachings were anecdotes from his life—stories of his exploits that highlight the principles. Elyse couldn’t put it down.
In the beginning, the book covered the principles and basics of magic.Aithyrwas a new concept to her—the omnipresent energy that mages manipulated. Really, all magic was new to her. She didn’t know that magic was a conversion, let alone that it needed aithyr as an energy source. Elyse tried to feel aithyr herself, to no avail. Regardless, she enjoyed Fulbryk’s travels as a way to explain the principles.
The giants surrounded us, snow falling thickly and obscuring our vision. A club swung to my right, sending Abernyk flying with a sickening crunch. The snow wasn’taffecting the giants, not like it affected us. I suddenly realized they were ice giants, mystical beings long lost to the lands of Syllogi.
Vicious and magic-resistant, I feared for not only my life but also of those who remained in my party. Another club swung, another sickening crunch, as they bludgeoned Ythir into the ground to my left.
I raised my hands, focusing my breath and my mind, imagining the wind I needed the aithyr to be. I grasped at the energy, letting it quicken in my conscious, whipping it into a gust. The snow parted as air rushed from my hands. Directly in front of me, standing as tall as three full-grown elven males, was an ice giant, its club raised above my head.
As it swung, I—
A knock on the outside of the alcove pulled her from the book.
“Elyse?” called a deep voice from outside.
“Yes?” Annoyance tinged her tone. Of course, someone would bother her as she got to the good part.
“Do you have a moment?”
Her heart sunk to her stomach.“Of course, Your Grace,” she replied, knocking over her long-emptied teacup as she sat up straight. Gods, oh gods—she should have known it was King Wyltam. And she had thenerveto use that tone.
The curtain pulled back, revealing the King. “It’ll only be a moment,” he said, hands clasped behind him and his expression unreadable. “Sticking with Lyken Fulbryk still, I see. Are you enjoying it?”
Enjoyment wasn’t a strong enough emotion.
