Page 71 of The Forgotten Queen
Dannyn smiled back at her brother. “An honorarium.”
“No, a terrarium,” Marx said.
Queen Malory beamed with excitement. “A terrarium! Sydria, you know about that.”
“I do?”
“Yes, I read about it in the newswriter article. You studied…clouds.” The queen mother frowned. “Oh, I guess it’s not the same thing.”
Marx shook his head. “Nope.”
“Yes, a terrarium with butterflies,” the queen mother said.
“Butterflies?” King McKane questioned. “I don’t think we want to spend our money or energy on that.”
“You don’t have to. I will.” She sat up in her seat. “I will, and Sydria can help me with the plants and butterflies.”
She frowned. “I don’t know anything about plants or butterflies.”
“Sure you do. You know about the weather, so you’ll be fine,” the queen mother said, patting her arm. “We’ll get started on the terrarium tomorrow.”
Sydria looked at Marx for some help. He wasn’t even trying to hide his smile.
22
Sydria
The next afternoon was the first big event since Sydria had married Marx. Queen Malory called it their wedding reception for the people who weren’t their close friends. Party invitations had been extended out to the ruling class families in the surrounding provinces.
Sydria chose her new chartreuse dress to wear. It had a square neck and cap sleeves. The bodice was fitted, and the length ended below her knees. She’d always loved the way the bright color had complemented her dark hair and tanned skin. Could she count that as a memory?
The top and sides of her hair were slicked back around her ears, letting the black strands fall straight down her back. She completed the look with dangling sapphire earrings and a sapphire pendant.
It was showtime.
Sydria knocked on the door between Marx’s suite and her own. Elsbeth opened the door, and Sydria gave the rigid woman a hesitant smile. Then her eyes darted to Marx across the room. He wore the fitted blue suit pants that Sydria had designed. The color matched her sapphire earrings, and the hem was shorter than normal, showing off the chartreuse socks that went with his chartreuse tie. He looked beyond handsome, and the fact that he’d worn what she’d picked out—trusted her in that way—made her heart skip with excitement.
Marx stood there, finishing the button on his cuff. But when he looked up, his movements paused. His lips parted as his eyes slowly glanced down her body and back up.
Then they closed—briefly.
There was a slight shake of his head, so slight that Sydria wasn’t even sure it had happened. He opened his eyes, finding her once again.
“You look…uh.” Marx was more rattled than Sydria had ever seen him. He cleared his throat. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you,” she said, biting her lip.
Marx’s fingers went to his brow, rubbing it once before going back to the button that he couldn’t seem to get fastened. He held his arm up. “Uh, Elsbeth, do you think you could get this buttoned for me? I can’t seem to—”
“Focus?” his secretary cut in.
His hand went to his brow again, and he shook his head, letting out a rough laugh. “Thank you, Elsbeth, for finishing my sentences. Once again, you’ve proven your value. Now, could you come button this for me?”
Sydria shrugged. “I’ll do it.” She walked over to him. His fresh mint smell floated between them, and his hazel eyes drew her in.
He held his forearm up for her. Perhaps volunteering was a bad idea. She wasn’t sure if she could steady her trembling hands long enough to actually complete the job. She tightened her fingers into fists before lifting them to the button.
Marx leaned toward her, still pulling her in with his gaze as his mouth slipped into a playful smile. “You are stunning to the point of distraction.”
