Page 47 of Crown of Hearts
“Here.” I stopped walking, quickly reaching for the clasp. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
But Cai’s grandmother held up her hand as she faced me.
“You can keep it. I gave it to Cai a long time ago and told him it was for his future wife.”
There was a time when it was meant for Eloisa. If I had known the sentimental value of the necklace, I never would have held on to it.
“But I’m not . . . we’re not . . .” I struggled to find the right words.
“It’s just a piece of jewellery, my dear. But it represents a history of the strongest and most adored queens the kingdom has seen.”
I swallowed hard.
“Make sure you are worthy of wearing it.” She turned and walked towards the dining room, leaving me speechless in the hallway.
Chapter 14
Cai
“This is going to be wonderful.” Thatcher rubbed his hands together as if he had some kind of diabolical plan in mind, and I chuckled.
“Why would you say that?”
“Your previous suitor against your current suitor. Don’t tell me you don’t love a cat fight?”
“I’m also competing in the archery competition, and in case you forgot, so are you and Gwen.” I tested the string of my bow, not bringing up the fact that Meredette was not my suitor. It was a cloudy day but there was no wind. A large target had been set up in the distance. The thick rope was rolled into a disc, with a white dot, the size of a saucer, painted in the middle.
“Yes.” Thatcher rolled his eyes at me. “And we all know Gwen is going to win anyway. Unless your Elara has a hidden talent up her sleeve.”
“I’m afraid not when it comes to a bow and arrow, unfortunately.” I pretended I didn’t hear him saymyElara. Like the sound of it didn’t stir something primitive in me.
“If she’s not good, then why is she participating?” We looked to where Elara stood next to Rhen, observing the tip of one of her arrows.
“I could be wrong, but I do believe she’s trying to prove a point.”
“And that point would be?” Thatcher cocked an eyebrow.
“That is the question.”
“Do you know if Lady Meredette is any good?” he ventured.
“I didn’t even know she could shoot with a bow and arrow at all.” I shrugged. “We didn’t exactly cover that topic at our last meeting.”
“Then what did you talk about?”
“Gardening, mostly.”
Thatcher muffled a laugh at my response. “I have a feeling this is going to be very interesting indeed.”
“When was the last time you had any practice?” I held up the bow in my hands.
“Don’t fret, my friend.” He placed his hand upon my shoulder. “Who needs practice when you were born with raw talent?”
I laughed. “Very well, may the best man win.”
“Indeed, may he do so.”
My eyes shifted to Elara, who appeared to be in serious conversation with Anesta. Her expression was coated with worry. So she had been practising the sword but not the bow and arrow.
