Page 90 of The King's Queen

“Are you excited?” I whisper giddily as we duck in a corridor to avoid the patrolling knights. I didn’t exactly tell my father about Tanja’s attendance, though I doubt he will care. He has been rather absent lately. I often find him wandering in the gardens silently with his face to the sun, or mumbling to himself in the corridors in words I can’t quite make out. In any case, it appears someone else will have to take the throne soon enough.

“I think so. I can’t tell if I feel like I’m going to throw up tonight’s dinner is because of nerves or excitement.” Tanja blushes. “Perhaps it’s the thrill of knowing the king could put my head on the chopping block for this.”

I laugh and nudge at her shoulder gently. “That’s not going to happen. Tonight I just wanted the rest of the world to see us the same way as I do. As equals.” She beams brightly. Even without the gown, she could outshine the morning sun. Her stained lips curve upwards just as a knock comes at the door.

“Oh, I almost forgot, I have one more surprise.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively. Tanja gasps and shoves her ring in my face.

“This better not be a courtesan, Vera, I’m an engaged woman.” She giggles through her words, unable to keep a complete face.

Especially as Aiko blushes with a mischievous grin and says, “And darling, I’m a married woman. Eye candy never hurts.”

I laugh while Tanja’s face flushes bright red. She’s much more excitable than usual today. Timid doesn’t feel like the right word for Tanja - ever. But today something inward has shifted.

My friend practically glows as her fiancé walks through the door. Ruby’s usual uniform replaced with a red velvet gown that drapes across her every curve. She smiles broadly as Tanja’s face drops into an expression of pure awe. Silver tears brim in her eyes. Ruby is art, and Tanja is the scholar who has spent her whole life looking for the perfect painting.

Thank you, she mouths. Aiko approaches me from behind, squeezing my elbow with a proud smile. She knows how much this night means to me and how badly I’d like it to just be me and my friends, but it wouldn’t be the perfect night if Tanja wasn’t smiling the way she is now.

“Do you think the king will let us have a joint execution?” Tanja asks, linking her arm through mine. Ruby elbows her softly in the ribs, and my friend pretends to keel over into my side. “I am mortally wounded!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he kills me first so you have a chance to escape.” I laugh. Aiko shakes her head softly, then accepts my extended hand. My personal army of four. With our heads held high, we march out of my room and towards the ballroom.

“Nervous yet?” Aiko asks in a hushed tone. A passing soldier bows, and she pretends to whisper a piece of gossip in my ear. I press my lips together and frown, obviously considering her words and rumors. He rushes off immediately.

“Just a bit sad.” I put it plainly then shrug. “It’s all bittersweet.”

“That’s fair. Womanhood, marriage, a mass exodus,” she whispers that last part, “these are all big things. Just hold your head high, it’ll be alright.”

It’ll be alright.

I try to echo the simple sentiment in my mind as those grand double doors approach. The tapestries beside them billow with the soft breeze of the open window, causing the woven dragons to come to life.

Spring only lasts a few weeks in Krycolis before it bows to more severe heats. The first warmth of life bloomed this morning, making today our first official day of the season. The crowing nobles cheered in the streets, clinking glasses, and sharingdolceron. They claimed it is a sign of a prosperous marriage between our future queen and king.

The warm air caresses my face, the fear of winter long since melted with the snow. I take the weather as my own sign. A heralding of a new life, the gods insisting they won’t smite me for my cowardice. It lifts an invisible weight from my back, and I roll my shoulders out. I nod to the guards, and with a deep groan, those heavy doors open.

Tanja squeezes my hand. Into the lion’s den.

Chapter36

Rowan

“You are being a child.” Emilie crosses her arms over her chest, buried deep in a plush velvet chair. Kya sits in the seat next to her, not caring to hide her smug smirk.

“I couldn’t agree more, Emilie.” My mother smiles towards the assassin, a mischievous light in her eyes. I fight my growing irritation. Secrets have always been my strong suit. Secrets keep men like me alive. However, secrets from my mother? My weakness.

“What’s the worst that happens? Vera gets cold feet?”

I fail at killing my father, your ex-lover.

The big secret she doesn’t know. If she did, she would try to stop me, and I can’t have that image weighing on my mind if I am to succeed tonight.

Amír and I have spent months planning the assassination, even the smallest flicker of guilt could unravel it all. During my time in the palace, it has been easy to map guard patterns, especially with the disappearance of some of the soldiers. Vera told me that they had just been sent home to recover due to frostbite after the last blizzard, but Woden’s words form a pit in my conscience. Something else is happening. Something that Vera doesn’t know about.

If all goes well, it won’t be her concern after tonight. I corresponded with Torin two days ago, so to my knowledge, he is both unaware and unharmed. Once Vera is out of the palace, I will have to warn him.

“Is Rowan missing game night?”

Ah, there he is. My second secret.

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