Page 91 of Crown of Hearts
I had to refrain from grinning, keeping my mind on the important matter at hand.
“Somehow Darwick managed to find out about my past and he’s now using it as leverage to try and manipulate me into marrying Edgar.”
Cai was quiet for a moment. “And the only way to prevent that from happening was if you secured an alliance with a king. To become too powerful for them to risk threatening you.”
I took the liberty of taking his hand in mine. “If I only wanted a king, I could have gone to anyone.” I lightly bumped his shoulder. “You know I hear King Aries is quite a looker.”
Cai scrunched his brow. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“Because I’m trying to be open and honest. And honestly, I’m more afraid of the Darwicks than I would like to admit. That family holds a lot of power in this kingdom.”
Cai seemed to gather his thoughts for a moment. “So, Edgar isn’t really your type, huh?”
I laughed softly at the unexpected comment as my eyelids drooped. “Don’t even get me started.”
He put his arm around me, and I rested my head on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Elara. We’ll figure all of this out together.”
I drifted off as he placed a kiss on my hair.
* * *
Breakfast was never particularly exciting. It was a time for Rhen or Anesta to brief me on everything I needed to do for the day. It was a time to fuel my body with breakfast foods because the guilt crept up on me for having more than others. It had never been a time for pleasantries and social gathering. Until this morning.
The whole lot of us were seated at the table, all trying to avoid eye contact. The silence hanging in the air was almost unbearable.
Lance downed one drink after the other while I resisted the urge to knock the cup out of his hand before he made a fool of either of us. Although, with every passing second, the need for something stronger than orange juice increased.
Cai looked too stressed to eat, while Gwen and Thatcher were constantly at each other, bickering and insulting in a sibling manner. Anesta sat quiet and invisible, watching the spectacle.
Thatcher finally turned his attention to the rest of the table. “Now that we’re all reunited, what are our plans for the day?”
“You’ve all had long journeys,” Lance replied. “Perhaps a day of rest is in order.” I was surprised by his hospitality. But then I remembered it was the wine talking.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Gwen let out a yawn. “I’d like to explore the palace grounds if you don’t mind, Your Majesty.” She looked at me for approval.
“Be my guest, Lady Gwen.”
“Thank you.” Gwen appeared excited at the prospect of exploration. “You wouldn’t happen to have an archery range, would you? I’d hate to lose all my skills while away from home.”
“Unfortunately not,” Lance replied for me. “Besides, my sister isn’t much of an archer. But I assume you know this.”
I should have expected this kind of behaviour from Lance, but I didn’t exactly need a reminder of my embarrassing attempt at archery in Norrandale.
“It must run in the family,” I cut back at him.
“There isn’t much to entertain outside, I’m afraid,” Lance continued, ignoring me. “But the dungeons are particularly lovely since we recently redecorated.”
Now he sent a look my way and I was ready to throw my fork at him.
Gwen stopped us by returning to the subject. “What about the stables? I bet you have some fine horses, Your Majesty?”
Lance surprised us all by saying, “Perhaps I could give you a tour.”
My eyes widened, but then again, of course Lance would say something to create more tension. Gwen didn’t appear very eager to accept the offer. Lance had been to Norrandale before, so he’d met Gwen and Thatcher a few years ago but I was not surprised that Gwen hadn’t taken a liking to him. Few people did.
“Absolutely not,” Cai interjected. I couldn’t blame him. He had even less reason to trust Lance than I did. He probably still carried a scar or two from the night Lance and his guards beat him at Woodsbrook Manor. It was the last time the two of them had seen each other and the tension was obvious. “Lady Anesta can escort you.”
Lance’s expression revealed nothing at Cai’s words.
