Page 79 of Crown of Hearts
“Which is?”
“I didn’t side with the rebels because I wanted to end the Evernean monarchy for Norrandale’s sake,” Cai replied.
“Right, you sided with them because you liked the girl.”
Heat rose in my face.
“And need I remind you that you cannot breathe a word of this to anyone?”
Had Cai really told Thatcher everything about my past?
“I know, I know. I won’t tell a soul. But how lucky for you that one of the first things she does as queen is ask for your hand in marriage.”
“But as we have already established, it’s more complicated than that.”
“Cai, if you don’t marry the damn girl, then I will.”
“Thatcher, come on, be realistic for once in your life. Even if I marry Elara, which I plan to do, it won’t change the fact that she grew up a commoner.”
It took a moment for me to register what I’d heard.
A commoner. He’d called me a commoner.
Thatcher said something but I didn’t want to listen any further. Was that really what Cai thought of me? Was all the hesitancy about the engagement just excuses he made up? Cai had said that my past didn’t matter. That he didn’t care about my family or that I was once the masked bandit. Was I naive to believe him?
Maybe he was right. I had no proper education or upbringing. I didn’t really know what I was doing as Queen. But if Cai truly believed I wasn’t good enough for him, then why did he ask me to marry him?
I hurried back to my rooms and found my guards, waiting in angst and appearing relieved at my quick return. I couldn’t think. I was overwhelmed by a wave of emotions I did not want to acknowledge.
“Wake Lady Anesta,” I instructed one of them. “Tell her to come to my chambers immediately.” He nodded before running off without further question.
“This just arrived for you, Your Majesty.” The other guard handed me a letter. A message in the middle of the night usually wasn’t a good sign.
I closed the doors to my room silently, instead of slamming them like I wanted to, and took a deep breath. With slightly trembling hands, I opened the letter. It was from Lance. The council and aristocracy had grown restless in my absence and inability to secure an alliance. They were considering alternative options, which only meant they would begin looking for ways to get rid of me.
It was the last thing I wanted but perhaps the very thing I needed to hear. I had to remain focused now. So, as calmly as possible, I began to dress myself in riding attire.
I was halfway through tying my braid when Anesta burst into the room. “What happened? What’s wrong?” She seemed half surprised that no one was lying dead on the floor, as if she expected the worst.
“Start packing my things and tell Rhen to ready the horses.”
Chapter 22
Cai
I tucked in my shirt without much care as I hurried to Elara’s room the next morning. After everything that had happened yesterday, I wanted to make sure she was all right. I would never forget the fear in her eyes as she beheld the blood on her hands from killing the Argonian soldier. I wish I could have protected her from it.
There were two guards stationed outside her door. Their expressions grew nervous as I approached.
“Your Majesty.” One of them corrected his posture and fisted his hands at his sides.
“Is Elara still in her chambers?”
The guard cleared his throat, taking too long to respond.
“No, Your Majesty. She’s asked that we give you this.” The other guard said.
He handed me a white envelope with my name written in Elara’s handwriting.
