Page 92 of Crown of Hearts
I shifted my gaze to him. “I need to gather the council, if you could help me.”
Lance replied with a sigh. “If I must.”
I stared at him for a moment and wondered, again, how we were related.
“Well.” Thatcher clapped his hands. “That leaves you and me, Cai. What do you say we give the old training yard a go, see if Evernean steel hits the same?”
Lance snorted before trying to cover it up with a cough, and I sent a scowl his way.
“Maybe later.” Cai’s eyes bored into his plate, and Thatcher frowned but didn’t say anything else. The dining hall descended into silence once more.
Lance let out another loud sigh and leaned back in his chair, cup in hand. “Aren’t family meals just lovely?”
* * *
I remained in the council room after the meeting.
Though the engagement was official, treaties and documents were still to be drawn up. There was hesitance about the alliance when the possibility of war came into the picture, but we spent our time coming up with possible solutions and tactics. It would be long before we were ready for battle, should it come down to it, but at the very least there were plans.
The tension during the meeting was evident with every conversation and I wanted nothing more than for Cai to hold my hand. But I needed to appear like the strong and courageous queen they so desired. While not everyone was entirely on board with the marriage, the general agreement seemed to be that this was in the best interests of the Evernean kingdom.
A royal wedding gave the people something to celebrate and the hope of an heir.
Argon had not declared war on Norrandaleyet, and the council hoped that an alignment between Norrandale and Everness would dissuade Aries from escalating the situation further. But armies might still need to be prepared until the threat diminished. And nothing was entirely set in stone until someone said “I do”. I reminded myself that the day wasn’t over and that I probably had more tasks to attend to, but I couldn’t help lingering a little. The thought twisted and turned in my head, and yet, I still found myself struggling to believe it. I was going to marry Cai. Cai and I would be married. Together. For ever.
There was a sudden knock but I didn’t look away from the window. Didn’t want to be pulled away from my thoughts just yet. “Come in.”
The door creaked and someone entered. I couldn’t keep a smile from forming at the familiar scent of him. Though it quickly turned to a frown when the usual smell of Cai’s fragrance became clouded with a hint of smokiness. I turned to face him, only to be met by Thatcher’s intense gaze.
I practically jumped at the surprise of him standing so close behind me.
“Thatcher?” I sucked in a breath and took a step back.
His brow scrunched. “Who did you think it was, Your Majesty?” When I remained silent, his expression turned to a smirk before he said, “Ahh, you thought I was Cai? How very disappointed you must be.”
I immediately felt heat creeping up my neck, embarrassed. “Was there something you wanted to tell me?” I cleared my throat.
“Yes, actually, Your Majesty, I came to inform you that there’s been an urgent letter from your friend, and I thought you would like to know what it says.”
“What friend?”
“What did the messenger say?” He pressed his fingers to his brow, trying to remember. “Ray, I believe it was.”
Ray?
If Ray had news, it could only be about one thing.
“The messenger said it must go directly into the hands of the Queen.” He took a folded paper out from behind his back. “And I assured him I would place it in your hands myself.”
I was so anxious and eager to find out what the content of the letter was that I didn’t care to ask why Thatcher was receiving my mail for me. I simply made to grab it.
With urgency, I ripped off the wax seal and unfolded the note with Ray’s handwriting.
I found her . . .
He didn’t say where she was, only that he was on his way back to Levernia.
I rushed past Thatcher and threw open the door. He stood in surprise, still holding an imaginary letter in his hand.
