Page 104 of A Queen's Game
“A half-elf in court. If only my mother were alive to see it.” The edge of his lips hinted at a smile, beautiful and threatening. Marietta exhaled as he dropped his hand, taking a step back.
“I’m sure if she were alive, then I wouldn’t be standing here, Your Grace,” she said, letting the bold words slip from her mouth, though she knew little of the late queen.
A small laugh escaped King Wyltam, the brief look of amusement flashing on his features. “You don’t realize how right you are.” He offered his arm. “Please, walk with me.”
Marietta hesitated, then took his arm, letting the King lead her to a path that wove through lilac bushes and boxwoods among the trees. The King of Satiros first made a personal visit and now escorted Marietta within the royal’s private garden. The thought was nauseating. Why her? Why his consideration at all?
“Your existence surprised us all, not knowing Keyain married, nor that his wife was held hostage,” he said after a moment. “Curious that after the horrendous experience you must have had in Enomenos, he allowed you to suffer alone in that suite.” The black of his eyes found Marietta. “Did you get the help you needed yesterday?”
Marietta thought of the temple, of its eucalyptus and peppermint scent, of the goddess’s serene face carved into stone,of the two half-elves, Deania and Coryn, who risked Keyain’s threats to help her. “I did,” she said, a smile touching her lips as she stared down the path. “More than I knew I needed.”
“That’s good to hear.”
From walking at his side, she felt the rumble in his chest as he spoke. “May I ask you a question, King Wyltam?”
“Please do.”
“Why is that good to hear?” She turned to him, tucking her hair behind an ear. “You’re the King of Satiros, and you’ve spent more time with me than you ought.”
Paused in the middle of the path, the King was inches from her as he stared through the waves of dark hair. “A few reasons, really,” he said, his gaze searching her face. “For one, you are the wife of my closest friend and that should be reason enough.” He lowered his face to hers as he murmured, “And you may have information that proves useful.”
Marietta scoffed, trying to pull away from the King, but his arm held. “Unfortunately, I know nothing.” Of course, she was just of use to him. As if she would share anything about Enomenos with the man, leading the assault on her home.
“Forgive me, I’ve offended you.”
Marietta furrowed her brows at his apology, a thousand questions surfacing in her thoughts. In an instant, he was both insulting and kind. She couldn’t decide if the King mocked her or took her seriously. “You’re a king. You don’t apologize.”
“All kings rule in their own way.”
His arm loosened, letting Marietta put space between them as she stood before the King and his undivided attention. Never had she met someone so conflicting, unable to read him and unsure whether to dislike him or not. “I’m sure you are too busy to care what happens to me; yet, here we are.”
“Yes,” he drawled, “here we are. Me, a king ruling a city-state in war, and you, wife of the male leading the war. A wife who despises her husband after he risked his career to save you.”
Icy dread filled Marietta as the King regarded her, his hands clasped behind his back, his stare unceasing. So that’s what this visit was about. The truth that Keyain hid that now Marietta was burdened to carry.
“I don’t despise Keyain,” she lied. Gods, she did—more than despised—but the King shouldn’t know the truth after Keyain lied.
King Wyltam raised a brow and began circling Marietta. She held her chin high as he stood behind her. Breath danced across her ear, the deep of the King’s voice barreling through her. “Liar.”
“Excuse me?” Marietta went to turn to him, but the King’s hand clutched her shoulder.
“As I said, everyone lies at court, Marietta, but I had higher hopes for you.”
“I’m not lying—”
“Another lie. Perhaps this meeting was for nothing if you can’t share a shred of truth with me.”
Is that what he thought this was? A meeting? Marietta doubted there had ever been a pilinos alone with the King fora meeting. Having the King’s attention was a danger—one she wasn’t sure was worth the risk. Unnerved, Marietta stood on the path with the King at her back. The chirping of birds and rustling of leaves were the only sounds besides her heavy breathing. “What is it you would like to know, King Wyltam?”
“Many things, but let’s start with what I do know.” His hand fell from her shoulder, Marietta spinning to face him as he spoke. “You do not wish to be here, and you do not love Keyain. Loveless unions are common for nobility,” he said, pausing ashe leaned closer to her, “but Keyain loves you—and his love goes unrequited.”
Marietta held her tongue.
“Though you wish to leave Satiros, I cannot send you back to Olkia.” He paused, his expression unreadable. “What do I do with you?”
“A good question,” she said, her tongue sharpening. “What do you do with someone you have no use for?”
A small smile cracked the King’s expression. “I never said you couldn’t be of use. Keyain made a fool of me by keeping your marriage secret. From what I can gather you don’t think fondly of your marriage, so I come to you with a proposal.”
