Page 69 of The Forgotten Queen
“I don’t really know. They told me he’s a friend of my uncle’s. He visited the cottage every once in a while. And,” she hesitated, “he stood to gain something from this marriage.”
“I think he’s somehow involved in your past too.”
She let out a long sigh and walked to her bed, sitting down on the edge of the mattress.
“What’s the matter?”
She looked at him, unsure if she would be able to explain her thoughts. “I was hoping I would have a simple past, that the pieces would come together easily, that every suspicion I’ve been feeling was just me being paranoid, but if Otis is involved, then nothing is simple.”
“He may not be involved. It’s a hunch right now.”
Sydria glanced down at her hands. “The day before the wedding, I heard Otis talking with my uncle and aunt. He said that if they lost me, they would all be ruined. Then my uncle said he didn’t want to do this anymore, but Otis threatened to destroy him if he didn’t continue.” She looked up at Marx, not sure what his response would be. “It all sounds so ridiculous. Perhaps I misheard.”
“Don’t do that.” He straightened. “Don’t doubt yourself. You’re stronger and smarter than you think.”
“You are the only person…” Sydria bit her lip. There was a gentleness in his eyes that got her every time.
“I’m the only person who…?” he prompted.
“You are the only person who treats me like there’s more to me than a broken memory.”
“Because thereismore to you than a broken memory. Soon you’ll see it too.”
Sydria was almost scared to see it, to find out what kind of life was hidden inside of her. What if she didn’t like the person she was or the life that she’d had?
“Well,” Marx clapped. “I think I’ve taken up enough of your time. I should probably let you sleep.” He turned to go back out the balcony.
“Why don’t you go through the door?” she said, standing.
“My side is locked.”
“You could always go through the front door of both our rooms.”
“And have the guards see me leave your room?” He shook his head. “No. I would rather keep them guessing about what’s going on in here.”
“I don’t know. It could help our cause if they thought you were leaving my room late at night.”
His lips spread into a tilted smile. “I think mestayingwould help our cause more.”
There was a part of her that wanted him to stay, just for the company. Sydria liked how she felt around Marx, liked the confidence he gave her, but him staying would further complicate their already complicated situation.
“I think not,” she said with a playful smile.
“In that case, I’d better hop on over to my side. Good night, Sydria,” he said as he ducked out of the room.
“Don’t kill yourself when you jump back to your balcony.”
“I won’t.” He popped his head back into the room for a moment. “My wife would miss me too much.”
Sydria laughed.
Shewouldmiss him.
21
Sydria
After dinner the next night, the royal family gathered in the sitting room to play dice. Sydria was getting used to the McKane family and how good it felt to be part of something bigger than herself. She wondered if her own family had sat around like this, talking and playing games. It seemed like a regular thing, something that she should be able to remember.
