Page 93 of A Queen's Game
The King stood in the doorway to the living room, hands clasped behind his back. He turned to Marietta. “I was hoping to sit in here, but it appears Keyain has been sleeping on the couch.” He walked over to the dining room table and pulled back a chair. “Please, have a seat.”
The King of Satiros, the city-state that deemed pilinos lesser to elves, pulled out a chairfor her. Confused, curiosity sparked from the King’s audience and kind gesture.
Marietta sat, letting him push in her chair before he sat across from her. His gaze raked over her face, then to her body, not even attempting to hide his stare. “You look terrible,” he said after a long moment.
An incredulous laugh left her mouth, a single breath, at his pointedness. The King was right, she knew, but the brusque manner of his observation was surprising.
“I do not mean that as an insult,” he said, pausing. “Your face is gaunt; under your eyes are near black. Unbathed, undressed, and most likely underfed, based on the weight you’ve lost since the ball.”
Marietta narrowed her eyes. “What ball, Your Grace?”
“Not surprising that you don’t remember; Keyain gave you a drug that would prevent you from knowing what was happening around you.” With a shake of his head, the black hair that fell into his face flicked back. His eyes were dark, nearly black, as she searched them, looking for any emotion.
“He drugged you and now leaves you neglected.” A flash of anger came across his features, gone before Marietta could fully register. “One would think he’d treat his wife better, especiallyafter all you’ve gone through; yet you have deteriorated since coming to Satiros, and for that, I deeply apologize.”
Marietta bit back her surprise as the King bowed his head. “You shouldn’t be the one apologizing, Your Grace.”
The King cocked his head. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be. Has he tried to intervene at all?”
With a dry laugh, Marietta sunk into her chair, crossing her arms across her chest. “He offered to drug me again. That was his solution.”
Anger flecked through the King’s expression once more, his eyes searching the room as he thought of his words.
“I asked to visit the Temple of Therypon,” Marietta said to break their silence, drawing his attention. “He refused to let me go.”
His fingers drummed on the tabletop, an expressionless mask falling over his face. “In Satiros, it is illegal to bar someone from attending a temple. Keyain knows this and knows you don’t know the laws.”
Marietta gripped her forearms, not bothering to hide her grimace. “Keyain always gets what he wants, regardless of the law.”
The King considered her words, once again his eyes darting back and forth in thought. Such silence from someone would bother her if it wasn’t the King. Though he had the authority to dismiss Marietta, he considered her words. He put thought into his answer.
King Wyltam was nothing like a king, at least from what Marietta thought a king should be. His presence alone was abnormal; yet he sat before her, dressed in fine but plain clothing, all black as if he were in mourning. Even the crown on his head was a simple circlet of gold.
Beyond that, he took a moment to talk to her, to listen to what she said. A king should be busier, should not have thetime for such a visit. Perhaps he felt the need to because he was friends with Keyain.
“Keyain doesn’t know I’ve come,” he said after a moment. “As no one does. Leaving the palace would put you at risk, given the unrest in the city. Should you visit the Temple of Therypon, which you have a right to do, don’t travel plainly through the streets.”
“Are you giving me permission to leave?” Marietta asked, her heart skipping a beat. If the King allowed her to go, what could Keyain say?
“You do not need permission when the law states you are free to go,” he answered. “However, I’d advise you to make plans with Keyain.”
Her hope faltered. “As I said, he’d break the law to get what he wants, and what he wants is me locked in this suite without contact.” She should have hidden that disdain for him in her voice, but she couldn’t, not after weeks of being trapped.
“You’re angry with Keyain for more than his neglect,” noted the King. “I wonder, is it because he waited to save you or because he saved you at all?”
How easy it would be to tell the King her truth, that she didn’t marry Keyain, that she loved another? Yet the Queen hadn’t told her husband such a truth, so why should she? “How could I be angry now that I’m safe, Your Grace?” she lied.
A small smile cracked his expressionless mask. “Everyone lies at court, Lady Marietta. As an outsider, I had hoped you’d be different.” He stood, regarding Marietta. “Let me know if that changes.”
The King walked to her chair, pulling it back so she could stand. “Talk to Keyain, and if he doesn’t listen to you once more, I’ll intercede on your behalf.”
Marietta was at a loss for words—the King himself was now involved with Keyain and his plans to isolate her. She could be free, at least to go to the temple.
“I hope the next time we speak is less bleak,” he added before turning for the antechamber.
“Thank you, King Wyltam,” she said, adding a quick curtsy.
He turned to face her in the doorway. “I am simply doing what Keyain has failed to do.”
