Page 79 of Kingdom of Flames & Flowers
Haza came around to my side, frowning. “The party’s over already? I—”
“No, I left,” I muttered, distracted. “Haza, what quarter do you come from?”
Her hair was lighter than mine, but not by much. She smiled. “Why, right here in the Seat. My parents were nobles, but before I was born, they disagreed with the king and queen about something, so we are working folk now. I don’t mind. The nobles seem …”
“Yeah,” I finished, still feeling like I was missing something important that was right in front of my nose.
“Come now, let’s get you—”
KNOCK KNOCK.
Both of us glanced at each other.
“Who is it?” Haza called out, already rounding the chair and heading toward the door. It wasn’t the queen since she always had a large fanfare. It likely wasn’t Zion or Zariah, who usually knocked, then barged straight in.
No one answered.
Frowning, Haza cracked the door open.
I leaned over the side of the chair, straining to hear their quiet voices from out in the hallway. I tore the jewels and flowers out of my hair painfully until Haza clucked in warning and batted my hands away. She took over herself, deftly entangling the jewelry and undoing the multitude of pins in my hair.
“You’re a suspicious thing,” Haza tutted, pulling the last pin out. I groaned in relief as my hair tumbled down my shoulders, wild and free.
“I’d like to say I’m realistic. Assume the worst, and you’re never disappointed: only pleasantly surprised.”
Haza huffed.
Another knock sounded on the door.
“Oh, for the love of the gods …”
Haza went to the door, and Ell stepped in with a small, frail figure at his side.
Mother.
She shrieked when she saw me and I cried out, rushing forward to take her into my arms. She was so, so frail, nothing but skin and bones. My arms wrapped too easily around her, and I was forced to be gentle. A small wind would topple her over! Her dress was threadbare and stained, her feet dirty. I threw an accusing look at Ell, who was standing next to her. “You said she was being fed!”
His lips tightened into a thin lie. “She was when I was there. I came here then, if you recall. I went down to check on her the moment I was able to, yesterday. What I found was … unacceptable. So I brought her here.” He paused. “The queen said it was ok.”
My head spun.
“My baby. Mybaby,” my mother cried, her hands over her face. Gently, I guided her down to sit on the sofa, lest she topple over from shock.
“Your room is beautiful,” my mother said quietly, her breath puffing lightly on my shoulder. She gasped out loud as she caught sight of the food just sitting out on the table.
“Come. Sit and eat.” I led her to the couch, and Haza was right beside me, offering my mother a plate. She looked lost like she didn’t know where to start.
“Everyone, stop hovering, and sit down!” I yelled at them all. Despite the size of the rooms, it felt crowded with everyone in here like it never did with the rest of the girls.
“And for the sake of the gods,eat,” I admonished them, slinking down beside my mother on the couch.
My head spun. This was ridiculous. And Ell kept sneaking glances at my mother and my mother was glaring at him. I paused. My mother never glared at anyone. In fact, this was more emotion I’d seen from her in the past decade combined. My suspicions grew.
One last firm knock sounded on the door, and my eyes closed in dismay. I groaned and kneaded my temples, praying for strength.
“Mari! I—”
The prince stopped dead in his tracks, seeing I wasn’t alone. His face split into a wide grin. “Oh! Hello! Who are you all?” I could tell it was Zariah by the bounce in his step and the happy, carefree look in his eyes.
