Page 29 of A Queen's Game
A bit of green caught her eye from the far side of the room. Glass doors showed a garden beyond them, hope filling her chest. She was so close.
A few nobles nodded at Keyain as they passed, pausing their conversation. Odd. Foolish of her to think she ever knew him. All those years together, yet she never even knew his rank or position in Satiros.
Breath hitched in her throat as the reality of her situation hit her. Marietta was in Satiros at the hand of the stranger who killed her husband. Those surrounding her were all elven. She was the only half-elf. It was dangerous for her to be there; they considered her a lesser person under the law. What rights did she even have? Bile rose in her throat, the crowd of people feeling too close. Controlling her breath, she kept her tears at bay.
A spindly elf with a crop of white hair approached, his face lined and sagging with age. With his chin pointed up, he looked down at Marietta with narrowed eyes. “Good morning, Keyain and Marietta,” he said with a nasal tone to his voice.
She resisted the urge to lift her chin, to stare him down the same. Instead, she forced a grin.
“Well, aren’t you looking chipper today, you sweet little thing! Keyain, you got lucky to have such a tame little clip at your side,” he added with a wink. The slur made her want to scream.
“I’m lucky to have her back, Royir.” Keyain’s arm that looped around Marietta’s slipped out and folded around her waist. Herbody tightened at the touch, and she tried to loosen it. She needed to keep it together. Her chance would come.
“Why, yes, we all know your occupation of Olkia was a rousing success. Though the rumors say you had ulterior motives for the invasion,” he gestured toward Marietta with a smirk.
Her eyes glanced at Keyain to read his face. What did he mean by Keyain’s occupation of Olkia?
“Olkia had its advantages to being first, as you’re aware,” Keyain said. “By seizing it, we control a part of Lake Malakos and the plains south of Olkia. But, of course, rescuing my wife from the enemy was a considering factor for mine and King Wyltam’s decision.”
“Of course, my dear friend. No one would blame you if she were your only reason!” He let out a bellowing laugh. “But I must be off. We must do tea again in mine and Grytaine’s suite!”
Nauseous, she tumbled over their words. Keyain did attack Olkia, but why save her? There had to be a better reason than to be with her again. There had to be. Marietta had been clear that she wanted nothing to do with him. Was it revenge for leaving him? That was possible, but Keyain wasn’t vengeful. Angry, yes. Often, he lost his temper, but he never sought retribution from people who wronged him. At least that was true from what she had seen. If he sought revenge, he at least wouldn’t cause her physical harm. Well, beyond drugging her. That clearly wasn’t beyond him.
Keyain nodded to Royir before stepping towards the doors. Outside was so close. Her heart threatened to betray her, unable to stay calm at the thought of running free. He held open the glass-paned door and let Marietta step onto a veranda. Above, purple wisteria and green vines filtered the sunlight upon a trellis.
The morning air was warm and humid but still comfortable. A gentle wind brushed against Marietta’s skin. She closed her eyes while tilting back her head. It was her first breath of fresh air in… weeks? She wasn’t sure how long.
With no walls closing her in, the tension in her body eased, her mind clearing. She glanced around the veranda as Keyain led her. To one side of the porch stood two elves in deep conversation. The other was towards a set of stairs that they approached. Neither way was ideal for escaping. If she waited, her moment would come.
Marietta held her breath as the garden unfolded before her. Garden beds stretched beyond her line of sight, the land dotted with trees, lush flower beds, and thick bushes. She did her best not to gawk as Keyain pulled her along. Flowers of all colors, planted in intricate patterns, expanded before her. Bees buzzed from bloom to bloom as birds chirped in the distance. Their heady scent hung thick in the air, intoxicating Marietta. Willow trees with long branches brushed the ground as a gentle breeze blew. A meandering creek gurgled as it idly cut through the garden.
Scattered throughout the flower beds were statues of mythical creatures. Satyrs playing lutes. Small antlered deer with wings sprouting from their backs. A cat-like critter with scales covering its body, frozen mid-leap through the flowers. They were creatures from childhood stories, erased from Syllogi long ago. Or so her father’s feyrie tales said.
He had shared stories of how the fey’s appearances differed. Some bore the characteristics of animals, having horns, tails, scales, and wings. Others contained details from the elements, like stony skin or flames for their hair. Marietta’s favorite had been the ones who took after plants, with flowers and vines flowing from their body. Staring at the statue gardens, shecouldn’t help but think of her father and his stories—of the creatures she learned about as a child.
Marietta hesitated as they approached a satyr statue carved to be sitting on the low brick wall that lined the path. The detail carved into the stone surprised her. Its smirking expression and the glint in its eyes revealed the artist’s talent.
If only Tilan could see such mastery. If only he were alive to see the intricate details. The nymph dagger was similar in intricacy, the first item of his that she had loved. Her hand extended to touch the face of the satyr, wanting to rub her thumb over the carved stone.
Keyain side-eyed her. “I know. You like the garden. We can see more if we keep walking.” His voice was soft, but Marietta sensed a tinge of impatience in it, causing her to drop her hand. Of course, gawking was something she did when on drugs.
Ahead on the path was a footbridge that crossed the creek. Beyond it was a whitewashed building coated in green vines far off in the distance. Was this a courtyard garden? From what she observed, it was more vast than the largest market in Olkia. No, this must be outside the palace.
The lift of the bridge gave her better vantage to see, her eyes darting as she slowed her pace to gain her bearings. If she could find an exit point, escaping Keyain would be easier.
To her left, there was a second, much closer building. One cluttered with balconies and vines that grew up the side. In a similar design, she couldn’t tell if it connected to the structure ahead of them.
As she looked to her right, past Keyain’s hulking body, her heart stopped. She blinked once, twice. The garden was more extensive than she anticipated. Out in the distance, she could see walls of glass framed by whitewashed brick. No, it couldn’t be the same building, could it?
But how? Keyain had said they were in Satiros. The lavish interior, the elven males in formal clothes, and the grandeur of the garden were all indicative of being within the palace. How could they fit a garden so extensive and lush with plant life within the structure? At this scale, Marietta wouldn’t be able to escape. She could get lost in the garden, but Keyain would find her.
Another chance would have to come.
Keyain tilted his head, his eyes narrowing at Marietta as she closed her mouth and glossed her eyes over once more. He tipped her face towards his as his stare raked across her face. Shaking his head, he said, “Come on, Mar. We should get through the garden before the rain comes.”
The deeper he led her into the garden, the harder it was to keep her sense of direction. Traveling gifted her with the skill, and she always knew her position compared to the world around her. The depth of the garden unnerved her as she grew confused with the twisting paths. She lost sight of the buildings with the plant life that grew thick around them.
Nestled among the foliage next to a small pond sat a gazebo that Keyain approached. Thick, white columns wrapped in climbing vines held a wisteria-covered wrought iron roof.
