Page 122 of The Forgotten Queen
She didn’t know where she stood with Marx. There were times when everything between them felt so real, when she felt love pouring out of his eyes. Then other times, he seemed so distant.
It was the distance that scared her.
All Sydria wanted was to be with him.
Marx
Marx sat at his desk, staring at a blank paper.
How do you write someone and tell them that you think their daughter is still alive?
His head fell into his hands.
Did he even want to write the letter?
Once he sent it, there would be no turning back. He’d have about a week for the letter to get to New Hope and then another week for New Hope to come to him.
Two weeks.
That was all he’d have left with Sydria.
He would have two weeks to figure out how to tell her who he thought she was.
Two weeks seemed like nothing when he wanted a lifetime with her, but it had to be done. Marx picked up the pen and began writing.
King Bryant,
“Your Majesty!” Commander Tindale said, hurrying into his office. The commander wore navy Cristole pants and a white shirt. A weapons belt was slung around his waist, and his usually calm exterior appeared anxious. “My men spotted transporters and personal transporters on the horizon.”
Marx’s brows bent. “How many?”
The commander gulped. “Hundreds.”
“Hundreds?” Marx stood from his chair, scrambling to his window. In the distance, a line of PTs drove toward the castle, their tires churning dirt into the air creating a giant cloud of dust. Behind the PTs was a row of black transporters, all making their way to Cristole Castle.
“Their flags and uniforms look to be from New Hope,” his commander said.
Fear rumbled through Marx’s body.
“Find Sydria,” he said. “And my mother and sister. And pull the alarm to gather the king’s guard.”
“What about the approaching transporters? We don’t have nearly enough men here to fight them off.”
“We won’t be fighting them. I know why they’re here.” Marx turned to his commander. “I was too late.”
“What’s happening? What does their visit mean?”
“It means Queen Sydria isn’t from Northland.”
Sydria
Sydria was surprised to see boththe queen mother and Dannyn dressed and down at breakfast. She’d assumed they would spend the day in bed, leaning into their grief.
Queen Malory greeted Sydria with a smile. “Good morning,” she said cheerily.
Sydria smiled back, then looked at Dannyn, who shrugged, as if she thought her mother’s behavior was bizarre too.
She pulled out a chair and sat down.
