Page 78 of The King's Queen

“She’s home safe if you were wondering.” My friend groans as she wrings water from her socks, a knowing look highlighting those striking amber eyes.

“I know. I sent you.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” She smirks. “But not with me.”

I try to laugh, but the sound that comes out is wearier and more strained than I intended, and my assassin eyes me from the corner of her gaze.

“You know, you probably should have told her that we know where Blaine will be.”

“Then she would have rushed headfirst into danger again.”

“But Rowan.” Kya’s voice is soft, but there is a sharp edge beneath her words. “If she’s going to be one of us she’s going to have to do that daily. You can’t protect her forever, not to mention that I don’t think she needs your protection anymore. You trained her to take care of herself. At some point, you have to let her actually do that, or she’ll grow to resent you too. People like that, who have had others make their choices for them their whole lives, they don’t want sheltering.”

“So what are you saying?”

It is hard to hide the frustration building within me. Is it so wrong to want to protect her?

“Just be careful your protection doesn’t turn into possession. Start by telling her the truth.” Kya lays a gentle hand on my shoulder. She glances over her shoulder once more, this time towards the growing pile of letters scattered across my desk, all signed with a single M. Without a word, she slinks off to wherever Amír is, leaving me alone with smothering memories and the chill of winter.

Chapter31

Verosa

Rowan wasn’t joking when he said the palace was in an uproar. I barely managed to sneak back through my window without being spotted, and Tanja’s scream when she found me in my bed did nothing to help the matter at hand.

“So where were you again?” Lucius groans, pinching at the bridge of his nose. My father listens closely, sitting on the large throne to the other man’s right. Torin, my father’s new Captain of the Guard, stands at attention to the king’s right. His eyes harbor dark circles beneath them, plucking at the guilt in my chest.

“I was on the palace grounds the entire time,” I lie. “I would go for a ride during the day and slip into my room when no one was there. I would leave again before the rest of the palace awoke and spend my days thinking.”

“And you mean to tell me you did all of this while not one guard ever saw you enter or leave the stables, let alone your room?”

“Try not to sound so shocked. You were here the day I eluded half the royal guard and jumped from a window, right?”

“Verosa, this isn’t funny.” If Ophelus notes my pointed glares and sharp words directed towards my fiancé, he doesn’t say anything.

“I am not trying to be funny, Mai Reihn.” I sigh deeply. “Have you cared to think that while my fiancé’s popularity has only grown, my reputation has taken a hit? Not to mention I lost someone who I have been close with since childhood. All I desired was some time to think and process alone. I don’t think I did anything wrong.”

The king says nothing but inhales deeply. Lucius glowers and flinches at the mention of Blaine. Good. Let him feel a fraction of the hurt I do.

Torin clears his throat loudly. “Mei Reihn, if I may impose.”

Ophelus nods. “You may.”

“What if Princess Verosa reports her whereabouts to me daily, and then I can report back to you if she leaves the palace. This way, the princess is free to mourn in private, but we do not cause another commotion similar to the one we just experienced. If she’s not where she claims, then I will take whatever punishment you see fit in her stead.”

Ophelus takes a moment to consider this proposition, while I flash warning signals telepathically to the captain. In return, I receive a look that screams ‘shut up and listen.’

“Very well then. Captain, escort the princess back to her room.”

I make note of the way Lucius shifts closer to the throne as he isn’t asked to leave. His hand rests surely across the hilt of his sword that he now keeps sheathed at his hip constantly. Like he is waiting for some imminent threat. I shudder to think what it might feel like to be on the other end of that blade with such a man wielding it.

My father nods his head, and the doors click shut behind us. The silence feels rather like an anticlimactic resolution to the undoubtedly tense conversation happing behind those solid oak doors.

“I wish you wouldn’t have done that,” I whisper, allowing him to escort me through the hall. “Is this some sick lesson of yours that you’re trying to teach me?”

“And what lesson would that be?”

The passing guards dip their head in reverence. I brush it off, but Torin stiffens as if it is still unexpected. He nods towards them as we continue our walk. The sunlight catches on the golden threaded tapestries, seemingly bringing their stories to life.

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