Page 49 of Knight's End
Chapter Thirteen
Queen Diamoni descended with open arms and gave my knight an awkward hug. Then she took Declan’s arm, and urged her entourage to follow her. Her husbands trailed after her, leaving us awkwardly behind.
Once again, she broke royal protocol by not inviting one of her husbands to be my escort. She was snubbing me at every turn. That made everything we were about to do all the more justified in my mind. The bitch had evil coming to her.
She took us to what she called her receiving parlor, a small round room furnished in wood. But at least the echoing crystal was covered by tapestries. They muffled sound, which meant she expected some degree of privacy for the remainder of our conversation. I almost smiled to think that she’d get no privacy inside her own head.
Blue, what’s she thinking?
I don't know that you want to know,Blue's tone was dark. I looked over at him and though he kept his face controlled, like any experienced prince, his fingers were clenched into fists. I slid my arm through the crook of his elbow and pretended to be the doting bride. I smiled at him and batted my eyelashes.
Tell me.
She's wondering how she can weasel Declan away from us and lock him up so she can use him.
Blue's eyes flickered to mine in surprise.She wants him? She sent him away.
She wants his power. I suppose your father would've been the same,I raised an eyebrow.
Blue's face was calm as he accepted a cup of tea from a maid, but internally he gave a harsh bitter laugh.At least Declan is useful to his mother. My father wouldn't have minded if all of my brothers killed me.
Yes, royal parents have a tendency to be greedy-gut shites. How's Declan holding up?
He's trying to close off his power, but he’s having a bit of a hard time.
Donaloo’s annoying face popped into my head and I thought,If the wizard was here, he'd say some dense thing like hope is the pill that makes you swallow poison again and again.
You didn't rhyme.
I shrugged as I took my teacup. I stared down at the golden-edged white china.Tell Connor to be ready to heal us if this tea is poisoned.
You're joking.
Sadly, I'm not.
I thought other courts were better than my father’s.
Some are worse.
Yours isn’t.
The stupid wizard’s one-eyed face showed up again. I wondered if he was scrying me or something. He giggled as he danced a jig in my head.The answer to any question depends on who you ask. Ask only the one most suited for your task.
Go away!I shouted at him. Then I realized something. Something similar had happened to me before. When Quinn had sent me images, and I hadn’t known he could talk. I narrowed my eyes as I stared up at Blue.Did Quinn give him a bead?
No.Blue responded.
Then how am I …?Quinn had a habit of sending me annoying, inappropriate thoughts.Is Quinn sending these?I demanded.
Blue’s eyes widened and he quickly took a sip of tea, turning from me to engage in small talk with one of Sedara’s legitimate princes.
Dammit, Quinn!I thought-yelled as I tried to keep a pleasant smile on my face.
His chuckles sounded in my head. That nigmenog!
I’m gonna—I didn’t get any further in my threat before the crown princess arrived and greeted me. Unlike her mother, Princess Amabel curtseyed and smiled at me. Her curly black hair was shorn short, and a subtle tiara perched on her head. She wore a pale-yellow gown embroidered with soft green vines. I couldn’t help but think Dini would like it.
I smiled blandly back at Amabel, biting my tongue. I had to resist the urge to ask if the shadows Ryan had seen were sunken ships.
