Page 14 of Queen of the Night
She looks as if I slapped her as guilt floods her features. I have my answer.
“Iwillmarry and bridge with a Black Tulip to save my kingdom,” I grind out.
If I can find one, that is, but I don’t add that. I also don’t mention what the backup plan is. No one knows that but me.
I stride away, leaving her in the shadows, but I hear the sorrowful tone in her words behind me. “You’re too stubborn, Ikar. Too noble. Don’t let it be your downfall.”
I continue walking.
Chapter 9
Ikar
Iwake before the first of the three suns rise, imparting last instructions to Jethonan and other advisors before I leave. There is no end to the weight and guilt on my shoulders as I prepare to depart. Not only do I feel horrible about Nadiette, but my absence will put the majority of my responsibilities on Jethonan’s shouldersagain. For the hundredth time, I remind myself that this is for the kingdom and my people. They need me to do this.
There’s just one last thing I need to do before Vera arrives at our meeting place. I make my way to the royal stables where my horse, Champion, awaits, snatching a carrot and a few sugar cubes from a cart nearby. The stables are bustling with activity, as usual. Servants and castle folk are everywhere, pulling carts, mucking stalls, brushing down the many horses, and more. Sunshine through the open doors illuminates small dust motes, and the smell of fresh hay and the nickers of content horses calm my nerves. That is, until I see who stands before my horse.
“Are you being ignored, big guy?” Veracoos to him, her pack and cloak resting against the stall door and Rupi perched on her shoulder, looking more than a little jealous as she side-eyes Champion.
I take a moment to appreciate the perfect fit of Vera’s new armor before I pull a bit of lucent to hear better from where I stand. Champion nuzzles her hand and neighs in indignation, wholeheartedly accepting her unwarranted sympathy. She laughs and shifts to rub his neck before he snuffles her hair and sets Rupi to quilling, and she laughs again, dodging the worst of her prickly feathers. Something about the scene sets my heart ablaze. A rush of affection has me envisioning a future where she’s my wife, and every morning I would walk up and put my arms on either side of her, balanced on the solid wood of the smooth gate, my lips finding that sweet spot below her ear as she tips her head back…
“Champion, is it?” she asks, and it startles me from the vision. But she’s not talking to me; she’s still fawning over my war horse.
“The king’s favorite,” I say impulsively, my voice slightly rough. Harmless enough words. She won’t know I mean her.
Vera startles away from my large horse and looks at me, unsure, as if caught, but she recovers quickly. “I see why. He’sdarling,” she says affectionately as she reaches a hand up to stroke his jaw again, and he leans into her touch.
Much as I would like to.
I redirect my thoughts. Did she just call Champion…darling?
My eyebrow lifts. “Most wouldn’t agree. And I don’t know that he appreciates being called darling. Perhaps strong, or maybe magnificent would be a more appropriate description?”
“Look at him. He needs more attention.” She ignores me,and her voice is sugary again as she holds Champion’s face in her small hands. He blinks his large brown eyes at her.
My horse snuffles in agreement, reaching for her hand, lips searching gently for a treat.
I snort and shake my head, incredulous. He’s like putty in her hands. My horse and I have much in common. I step forward and rub his neck with the manly sort of affection and familiarity that we’re used to while whispering, “behave yourself,” in his ear and offering a carrot that he happily snatches from my hand.
Vera looks around, and I can sense that she’s about to ask questions, worst of which would be asking which of these horses is mine. I quickly throw her pack over one of my shoulders, grab her cloak, and tug her out of the stables. Champion’s is the only gold nameplate in the stable, and I just told her he’s the king’s favorite. I’d give everything away if I answered truthfully. I make a mental note not to talk about him on our journey.
I lead Vera to a fenced-off field quite a bit farther out than the stables, where three saddled horses wait. She frowns at there being only three. Darvy and Rhosse are near, conversing with one of my horse trainers, an expert at training my soldiers to fight in battle atop their mounts. When they see us, they quickly nod their goodbyes and join us.
Vera gestures to the horses. “Which one am I riding?”
I use my chin to gesture over her shoulder with a wicked grin, watching her expression carefully. “That one there.”
Vera turns slowly. Across another set of fences and somewhat hidden behind the bulk of another set of smaller stables stand three sharp flyers. The massive creatures—a mix between dragon and scorpion with six insect-like legs, razor-edged wings, and each with a sharp stinger that dangles above thesaddle—wait patiently. She curses under her breath, forgetting that I can hear every word. I smile even wider.
“Such language, Vera,” I mutter near her ear. I don’t look down, but I can imagine her fine brows tugging into a frown.
“Where did you get those?” she asks in disbelief.
“We have connections in high places,” Darvy says with a wink.
Without another word, she yanks her pack from my shoulder, throws it over her own, and marches toward the giant flying creatures.
Chapter 10
