Page 61 of Crown of Hearts
“It’s fine, really.” My mind slowly returned to reality, asking me what the hell I thought I was doing.
He gave me another soft kiss before leaving me alone in the library, still trying to compose myself.
* * *
A few days later I received a letter from Everness while readying myself for the day. I anxiously tore open the envelope.
Sister dearest,
I rolled my eyes and shook my head at Lance’s cursive handwriting. He always did have a flair for the dramatic.
You’ll be pleased to know that I am in excellent health and spirits.
Which could only mean he was drunk on spirits. I’d been relieved when the messenger arrived with Lance’s letter. But I should have known he wouldn’t be able to take it seriously. After a whole paragraph of talking about himself, he informed me that matters were still in hand in Everness... for now, anyway. Though the council wasn’t overly fond of his regency, Lance had been a monarch a lot longer than I had, and he always knew exactly which strings to pull to keep people just content enough. Many rumours were going around about the possible alliance with Norrandale and a lot of them were quite hopeful. No pressure for me. I placed the letter down and looked at Anesta.
“Good news?”
“Well, Lance hasn’t burned down the palace yet.”
“I sense a but, Your Majesty.”
“But,” I confirmed her theory, “that doesn’t mean he still can’t. Above all, Lance only has his own interests in mind, and he’ll only help me as long as it serves him.”
“On a more positive subject.” She held up two dresses: one of light blue and another of a pale cream colour. “Which dress is the Queen of Everness going to wear for her birthday?”
“I was really hoping we could keep the whole birthday thing quiet.”
Which was my polite way of begging her not to make a big deal out of it.
She dropped her arms with slight disappointment. “Why? Birthdays are the best day of the year. And you’re queen now. The whole court should be celebrating and feasting.”
With my past, there were many reasons why birthdays weren’t the best days of the year. Though Uncle Arthur had kept track every year, there were no presents or cakes or any form of celebration. Instead, he would use it as an opportunity to measure my skillset as a bandit, claiming every year that I had to be better, more skilled, quicker, smarter than the last. Sometimes Ray would give me a birthday gift. He was always a better hunter, tracker and provider for the clan than he was a thief. But every now and then there would be a little trinket or extra food, which he must have got from somewhere.
“I have too many other things to think about today. And if I’m lucky, no one else will find out that it’s my birthday.”
“You mean we are not going to do anything special, Your Majesty?” Anesta was clearly not pleased.
“How did you find out about my birthday anyway?”
“Lance told me before we left. He said that we might still be here by today and that I should make sure we have some cake, which, by the way, I have been looking forward to all week.” She sent a disapproving look my way.
Of course Lance would know when my birthday was. I hadn’t even thought about it or the fact that he was there the day I was born. He’d been celebrating on my birthday every year with Eloisa. The thought left a knot in my stomach. I hoped Ray would find her soon. Or maybe I didn’t. I honestly didn’t know anymore.
I sighed, knowing there was little value in arguing with Anesta. “If it makes you happy, I’ll wear the cream-coloured dress.”
* * *
“Happy birthday, Elara.” The voice behind me halted my steps through the throne room.
I pressed my lips together, turning around.
“Thank you,” I said to Cai, with as much of a smile as I could muster. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find Rhen—”
“Wait.” He took hold of my hand. His hand was warm and immediately created a mental picture of where his hands were while we were in the library. “I have a gift for you.”
“Cai, that really isn’t necessary.”
“Of course it is. You’re the Queen of Everness now. We should be hosting a ball in your honour.”
