Page 106 of When the Wicked Sing
The servant shook his head, the tuft of graying hair atop his head moving with the breeze. He clasped his white-gloved hands and gave her a pointed look. “That’s simply not possible. Princess Halia is preparing for the funeral. She is very busy.”
Mariana’s eyebrows furrowed as she stared at him. “Pardon me, whose funeral?”
He blinked at her. “King Stavros, may he rest in peace.” He said it with a slight bow of his head.
Mariana felt her jaw drop along with her stomach. All she could hear was the erratic beat of her heart drumming loudly in her ears.
Her mind couldn’t process what he’d just said. “The king … is dead?” she breathed.
She lifted a shaky hand to her lips.
Stavros. The king who had destroyed Sirenia. The male who had loved Cybele and sired Mariana. The father who died dreaming of what could’ve been.
She could hardly believe it.
“No,” she whispered.
“Yes, it is a tragedy,” the servant commented. “It was so sudden, and unfortunately, the medics do not know the cause of death.” He sighed dramatically, almost wistfully, as if knowing the cause of death would solve everything. Then he turned on his heel. “Please follow me; I will take you to your room.”
His curt behavior pulled her from her foggy stupor. “Wait,” she blurted, and the servant turned to look at her. “What’s your name?”
He lifted his head proudly, a slight smug look in his blue eyes. “Rupert, Your Highness.”
Mariana took a step toward him. “Rupert, I need you to pass a message along to the princess. Tell her I must speak with the council at theirearliestconvenience. Do you understand?”
Rupert seemed to hold back a retort, his lips pinching. “Of course, I shall pass along the message.” He eyed her up and down before turning on his polished shoes again. “Please follow me.”
Stepping into the inner courtyard, Mariana swallowed. She was still reeling from the news when a voice shouted, “Mariana!”
Turning, Mariana saw Ophelia practically running toward her from the other side of the fountain. Her ivory robesbillowed in the breeze, and yet her hood somehow stayed atop her curly blonde hair.
Ophelia slowed as she neared, her bright eyes shimmering with delight. “Rupert, I have it from here. You’re excused,” she said to the servant without looking at him.
Rupert’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Madam, I do believe I should be the one to escort—”
Ophelia finally glanced at him, eyes narrowed. “Thank you, but I will escort her royal highness into the palace. You areexcused.”
Rupert huffed, then turned and dramatically marched away.
Ophelia bit her cheek to keep from laughing, causing Mariana to do the same.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, after everything that’s happened. And that letter your sister left for Princess Halia in the library.” Ophelia’s eyes widened before she giggled. “I’ve never seen her so angry in my life.”
Any hint of amusement Mariana felt faded away into grim sadness. Kosta had been caught in the crossfire of all of this, and so had the Seer. “Ophelia, I want to apologize.”
“For what?” Ophelia asked, concern in her gaze.
“I overheard that Kosta is your brother. I’m sorry my sister and I—That we—”
Ophelia shook her head and placed a steady hand on Mariana’s arm. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. Kosta is so uptight all the time. He tries to hide it with his badhumor, but really, he needed to get away from the palace.”
“But the way we did it—he could’ve died—” Mariana stumbled over her words, trying to find the right thing to say when Ophelia suddenly pulled her in for a hug.
The Seer was slightly taller than her and tightly wrapped her arms around her shoulders. “I forgive you, Mari. Please, it’s okay. I promise,” she said gently.
Mariana hugged her back, grateful.
Pulling back, Ophelia squeezed Mariana’s hands gently. “I know things have been messy between us. But … I’d really like to be your friend, if that’s something you’re okay with? If not, that’s totally fine! I just—I hope we can find some common ground, or—”
