Page 32 of Of Sockets Of Stitches
I banished my feelings and thoughts and picked up my goblet. “Dear monsters, while this feast was called to celebrate my return, I would also like to use this as an opportunity to formally celebrate the return of another cherished monster to our midst. Please join me in welcoming Princess Bring back.”
A loud cheer went up from most monsters. For they believedthat their queen was entirely unaffected by what she had heard. She had listened to the truth and to the opinions of kings, but she was not angered or upset.
And I was not, in this moment. Because I had chosen not to be.
But there were unravelings to consider later. Later, when I was alone.
Chapter Twelve
Tell her
Would he just?
Aknock.
Valetise left my side to answer, and reappeared in my private chamber with Is by her side.
Is bowed low. “Good dusk, my queen. I have come with two questions.”
“Ask both, if you will.” I turned this way and that in the mirror to feel how the loose fabric swayed with my body. Two clips held the fabric in place at each of my shoulders.
Is straightened. “The first is from the king and pawns of bringing who request that sand be brought from outside of this pulse and into Princess Bring’s personal chamber. The sand in her bowl gleams and shines, and she protrudes from it. They feel dirtier sand is needed to keep feeding her, along witha larger growing space.”
“I defer to the blobbing knowledge of bringing monsters. Collect what sand you need.”
“I shall pass on this message,” Is chimed, then cleared his throat. “Uh, shall I ask the second question?”
“I have said that you can.”
Is toed the stones. “Yes, but you might have changed your mind, and… maybe you would want to start the evening calmly.”
Amusement lit in my chest. “A queen could not do so when a pawn has implied that a question would unsettle her. Ask your question.”
Is screwed up his face. “King See requests an audience with our marvelous queen. You.”
My brows climbed. Had last night unraveled King See as thoughts of impossible harems had tried to unravel me all day? The audacity of requesting anything from me. “What were his exact words?”
Is spluttered for a time, then winced again, then once more. “He said ‘Tell her I want to speak to her’.”
Tell her.
I want.
Speak to.Not “speak with” but “speak to.” Otherwise known as “speak at.”
Is had obeyed his instincts to dress up the request from his previous liege. He should not have. For the way King See spoke was good to hear, as his words reminded me of the truth.
The truth thatmustbe for now.
For if I chose to believe another truth, then much could become undone. During a restless day of slumber, I had acknowledged that King See’s harem ideals were impossible, and that he must have known this always. King See had lied. He had wished to convince me of my smallness and unimportance to him.
But that was where I stopped acknowledging for now, forthen too much must be considered with these new shadows in mind.
His betrayal.
His cruel words.
His attempt to take my throne.
