Page 62 of A Queen's Game
Keyain ground his jaw harder, gripping the glass before chucking it at the wood-clad wall, smashing it to pieces, his breathing ragged. “You want to know about the Exisotis? You want to know the truth?”
The quiet of his voice sent chills down Marietta’s spine as he stepped towards her, hands clenched at his side. “Tilan was a leader in this lovely group. Their goal was to take out not just the Satiroan nobility but the whole Syllogian Council. And guess what else—he wasn’t as great as you thought! Do you know how he was going to overthrow the Syllogian Council, Marietta?” The space between them narrowed as Keyain stalked closer, endinguntil he was within inches of her face. Marietta held his glare with her own, refusing to back down.
When she didn’t answer, he continued. “The Exisotis, including Tilan, built an army to attack and kill not just the people of Satiros, but all of Syllogi.” A dark laugh escaped his mouth. “He is no different from me.”
“Even if it’s true, at least he loved me more than just for vanity.”
“Think for a moment, Marietta. I was already Minister of Protection when we were together. You might not have realized it then, but certain people recognized me and my position. You were unaware that you dated a high-ranking nobleman and decorated hero of Satiros.” He paused with a vicious glare. “But guess who did, Marietta?”
“No,” she whispered. Her hand shook as she brought it to her lips. “You’re lying.” It wasn’t possible. There wasn’t any way Tilan knew Keyain, that he was a part of some secret organization. Tilan had promised he didn’t know Keyain. Her stomach lurched as tears filled her eyes. He didn’t lie.
“Please, say it with your pretty little mouth that was just all over me, that I could have so easily enjoyed all over my body. I want to hear you say it.” He gave her a wicked grin.
Marietta turned away from Keyain, but he grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his glare. “Your sweet, beloved Tilan knew exactly who I was. Tilan knew what you meant to me, knew I had those marriage papers signed.” Keyain sneered, his eyes wet, though no tears fell. “Tilan and the Exisotis used you to hurt me, Marietta. And look, they still are.”
“You’re a liar,” she yelled, pushing him away. Even with all her strength, Keyain didn’t budge.
“Oh, I’m not. Use that pretty little head. When you were traveling, it was easy for him to hide. I tried to tell you, tried to warn you. But you wanted nothing to do with me. And whenthe tensions between Syllogi and the Exisotis became too tense, Tilan started suggesting that you find a job that traveled less, right? Saying sweet things like ‘I miss you, stay with me longer.’”
“It’s not true. Tilan loved me,” Marietta said, uncertainty lingering in her voice. Keyain’s words only furthered her own questioning.
Keyain chuckled and walked to his study. Keys clinked together, and then a drawer slid open. He returned with a stack of papers in hand and pushed them at Marietta.
Marietta flipped through the documents, dates marking the pages and describing Tilan’s movements—everywhere he went. She paled at a date listed before she had met Tilan. The document transcribed a conversation between him and their friend Pelok. It mentioned both Keyain and Marietta by name. If she and Tilan hadn’t met at that point, then….
The papers fell from her shaking hands as she looked wide-eyed up at Keyain. Tilan had only pursued her for the benefit of the Exisotis. His love was a lie. Every kiss, every utterance of how much he cared was a lie. Marietta’s breath quickened as her vision darkened on its edges. A sharp pain struck her chest as she tried to suck down air.
As if her world hadn’t already been toppled, this information was a final blow to who she used to be. If Tilan lied about the circumstances of them meeting, then did he lie through the entire relationship? Did he ever really want to be with Marietta? She shook her head as the tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Tilan used you, Marietta. He used my love for you as a weapon against Satiros.” His voice cracked as he continued, “And I’ve thought of you every day since you left.”
Pain from her heart shattering caused her voice to shake as she whispered, “Don’t you dare act like you’re a victim—you were an awful partner. Your temper is still a short fuse, and I’ve seen you break a dozen glasses like that back in theday. You even believe elves are a superior race! Did you think I would marry someone who thinks they’re above me because of the body they were born in?” Marietta laughed darkly. “At least when I was with Tilan, I felt loved for every minute of every day. Even if it was a lie, he still made me feel more loved than you ever did.”
The insult landed, Keyain curling his shoulders inward with his face faltering. “Just go to sleep. I’m done with you.”
Marietta stormed to the bedroom, slamming the door with all the strength she had remaining. Collapsed against the door, she curled into a ball, resting her head on her knees. Despite all the tears she already shed, shaking sobs struck her as the pain of Tilan’s truth took hold.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Marietta
Keyain never came to bed. Alone, Marietta tossed between the sheets as her mind sifted through the information.
The name of the group, The Exisotis, was previously unknown to her. Bits of information came up in conversation, leading her to understand they were a group of radicals against Syollgi and based out of Enomenos. Marietta never realized it was an actual organization or that her husband was one of them.
Tilan had never expressed strong opinions about Syllogi more than the average Enomenoan citizen. Perhaps that was on purpose, to hide his involvement with the Exisotis. After all, he was aleader—which alone sounded like a farce. Tilan was never one for commitment or leadership, which brought up a good point. Tilan hated all kinds of commitment and obligations, yet he still married. Gods, was she really this blind?
On top of it, Tilan swore he didn’t recognize Keyain, but that was a lie. After they started seeing each other, Keyain began harassing Marietta, and Tilan acted as if he didn’t know who he was. But Tilan knew. He knew the entire time who Keyain was and never said a word to Marietta. A hollow chasm opened in her chest.
When she closed her eyes, she saw Tilan’s smile, the one that caused his eyes to crinkle and brighten. The phantom touch of his arms wrapped around her, his soft kisses and playful jokes added to the pain. Were they all a lie? All those moments. Were they faked, so she would love him? Her memory of Tilan had tarnished as his face was no longer a comfort. Instead, the memory of him churned the bile in her stomach.
The entire night, Marietta slept restlessly, trying to grapple with her reality. Tilan was a liar, Keyain was a murdering thief. Both had done so much wrong, altering Marietta’s life in incomprehensible ways. What was true? Every facet of her life had holes if she looked hard enough.
Before the sun had risen, Keyain entered the bedroom, moving between the closet and bathroom. She kept her back to him as he got ready for the day. He didn’t approach her.
Thoughts drifted to her years with Tilan. How many signs did she miss? The late nights, the time he had when she traveled—it all made sense, but why would Marietta search for evidence when she didn’t suspect him of secrets?
A knock on the door shook Marietta from her thoughts, morning light filling the room. A servant brought food, but Marietta sent her away, unable to stomach anything. Even water left her gut feeling uneasy.
