Bride of Ashes (Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin #1)

31. Reyla

31

REYLA

I woke the next morning to Farris snoring by my side and someone moving around in the enormous sitting area next to my equally large bedroom—a bedroom that Lore, of all people, had decorated. I’d never be able to look at it in the same way again.

No, each time I lay in this bed, I’d feel the stroke of his fingers as I shifted beneath the silver blankets shot through with bits of green. The weight of his hooded gaze would fall on my body as I stepped into my bath and dried with one of the matching towels. And the stirring, irritating, yet arousing mocking tone in his voice would tease across my skin as I tugged on my clothing.

He wasn’t here with me, but I still couldn’t shake the feelings gliding through me. I swore I even caught his scent in the room. Impossible.

“My queen?” Moira called out from beyond the bedroom door. “Are you awake? I could come back in a bit if you’d like to slumber longer.”

“I’m awake.” I stretched and sat up, shoving my hair off my face. If I’d braided it last night like usual, it wouldn’t resemble a reddish blonde bird’s nest.

My thigh banged against something lying on the bed, and I squinted in that direction, finding my old, formerly beat-up sword lying on the blanket between me and Farris. Formerly beat-up because, even with the blade secure in its new, lightly decorated leather sheath, I could tell someone had done something to it.

I slid it from the dark leather threaded through with bits of silver and held it out in the dim light. Every ding and dent it had earned through years of hard use had been smoothed away as if he’d taken it to a blacksmith and made them work on it all night.

I turned it this way and that, admiring how gorgeous it was now. This blade had saved my life more times than I could count. While I’d collected a different sword in the armory after I’d proven I was decent enough with the practice blades to be given a real one, this particular sword had been a gift.

I’d treasured something this simple more than I should.

No longer simple. Even the hilt had been reworked from the plain silver worn smooth by my hand to a burnished golden metal. Real gold would be too soft, but he must’ve spelled it to keep it from wearing off. It . . . It felt good in my hand, the grooves worked into the surface heightening my grip. Squinting, I studied the pair of spread wings and an embossed symbol in a swirling pattern below the grip and wondered whose shield it might be.

Merrick’s? It had to be his. Even Lore wouldn’t be so bold as to place his own mark on my weapon.

“My queen?” Moira called out again. “May I come in?”

I quickly sheathed the blade and flung the top blanket over it, making Farris snort and lift his head. He blinked at me in a sleepy way that was incredibly cute, and I leaned forward and gave him kisses.

“Yes, you may,” I told Moira.

She cracked the door wide enough to poke her nose into the opening. “I’ll come in and get your bath started for you, shall I? While you wait for that, Calista has brought you a lovely tray for breakfast. Unless you’d prefer to eat with the court lords and ladies in the formal dining room this morning?”

“No, I'll eat here.” The fates save me from my next encounter with the lords and ladies if any of them happened to belong to Erisandra's entourage.

Moira bustled inside and strode to the bathroom, turning on the water. She returned to the bedroom and walked over to the windows, thrusting back the thick silvery drapes spun with green that matched the bedding perfectly.

Her gaze fell on the leather outfit I’d stripped off last night and tossed onto a chair. She lifted each item, and her eyebrows rose high enough to brush her blonde bangs. Her lips parted, though only slightly. She was much too well trained to show a stronger reaction. “These are interesting, now aren’t they?”

“I used to wear them when I trained dragons. ”

“Fearsome beasts.” She shuddered. “I’m grateful there are only a few ancient dragons left inside the aerie.”

What a shame. I might not adore dragons as much as Tempest, but they felt like home. I’d hoped I’d find the chance to ride them here, if nothing else. Perhaps one of the old ones would allow me to climb on its back.

Moira sniffed. “I’ll see that these are washed and returned to your closet in case you might wish to wear them again—to train dragons.”

“Last night, I did try to tame a fearsome beast.” A losing battle, right there.

Her breathing came in short gasps. “Wherever did you find a dragon? If they’re coming to the castle, the king must know immediately.”

“Oh, I meant a different sort of beast.” A Lore beast, to be exact. “I chased it off. No worries. I doubt it’ll return to the area.”

“My queen,” she breathed. “You’re unbelievably brave, but please don’t endanger yourself. I’ll speak to Lord Briscalar about your lack of protection. I cannot believe they haven’t already assigned you personal guards. The few outside the door will not be enough if there are beasts lurking about.”

I had guards outside my door? I’d thank Merrick for that later.

Since someone had tried to poison me, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to gather my own entourage, though it would feel strange to have red and silver dressed warriors stomping in front and behind me at all times.

Soft light slanted into the room in golden threads, the beams warming the bare skin on my arms and legs as I slipped from the bed. I stood on the plush, green and silver patterned carpet, the fibers soft under my feet as Farris rose from his curled position. He yawned and stretched before hopping down to the floor and giving his body a shake. He looked up at me with grinning pup enthusiasm, ready for the day. I wasn't sure I felt ready myself.

Calista entered the room, her smile strained but pleasant enough. “Good morning, my queen. We're already a step ahead. Faelith is waiting in the sitting area to take Farris for a walk outside.”

“Thank you.”

With a stiffening of her spine and a slight drop to her smile, Calista gestured to Farris. “Come along, um . . . nyxin. It’s time for you to explore the gardens.” Her gaze met mine. “He won't bite me if I touch him, will he?”

“No need to worry about Farris. He's sweet. Tame. While I only adopted him recently, I suspect he's had a lot of interaction with fae. He licked my face when I met him, and he's remained by my side since. He even trotted beside the carriage as we rode here from the pier.”

“Amazing.” She tentatively stretched out her hand to him. “I've never been this close to a nyxin before.”

“His fur is soft. Touch him.”

She shook her head. “I could never.” Rushing to the door, she widened it and waved to the nyxin who’d trotted after her. “Out with you. Go have fun outside and when you return, I’ll give you a treat.” Her gaze sought mine. “The cook is already planning meals for your beloved pet. ”

And for that, I was also grateful to Merrick. I sensed his involvement in this.

As if he understood, Farris scampered out the door with her, his tail high with excitement.

When I took one step forward, Moira leaped to gather my robe from the closet and join me. She deftly helped put it on, securing the belt at my waist with a quick knot. I wasn’t used to this kind of help. Would there come a day when I'd slip my arms into the sleeves of my robe without thinking about who held it out to me?

“Your breakfast awaits.” Calista stepped back into the room, her enthusiasm trying to snag mine. I did my best to appear eager as she and Moira urged me through the doorway and into the enormous sitting room that had to be twice the size of a two-bedroom residence back at the fortress. We'd thought our quarters were huge and plush, but they were nothing compared to Evergorne Castle. The scent of fresh bread and rusher drifted through the air, though I wasn't sure I was hungry enough to eat.

They’d already opened the curtains in this room as well, and sunlight poured in through the tall windows, making golden light flicker across the patterned marble floor. A breakfast tray sat on a polished wooden table near one of the windows with a vase full of colorful flowers resting nearby.

Such elegance. And for me?

Calista hurried over to pull out the chair. “I hope you’re hungry, my queen. The head cook has prepared a feast to tempt your appetite this morning.”

“I usually eat something light and simple for breakfast.” Too much food in the belly might come up if a dragon flipped you off its back. Landings were the worst, and I'd seen my share of emptying my guts into the sand while I swore the dragon snickered not far away.

With a grand wave, she pointed to the chair, and I sat, letting her nudge it forward as if I was a toddler unable to shift such a heavy object all by myself. She removed the silver tray from the plate while Moira poured a fresh cup of tea from the elaborately decorated pot that matched the dishware. Calista took the napkin arranged in the shape of a bird and shook it out, lying it across my lap.

I blinked, overwhelmed by all this food that could feed five dragon trainers. Fresh fruit glistened in a bowl and rich pastries dusted with ground sugar lay on a silver platter beside a small plate holding a fluffy omelet. Enough strips of rusher to satisfy Farris sat on yet another ornate plate near the eggs.

“This . . .” Seeing them both beaming my way, their hands clasped to their chests in excitement, I pushed for a smile. “It’s lovely. There's a lot here. Would you two like to share it with me?”

“Oh, no, my queen,” Moira gasped, clearly scandalized. “We couldn't.”

“You're ladies of the court. Of course you can.”

“We're ladies. This is true.” Moira spoke carefully while Calista gaped at us both with dismay. “Though we’re not as high as others.”

“We've already eaten,” Moira rushed to say.

I couldn’t force this. “Tomorrow, then, please plan to eat with me. ”

“We can't, though we thank you,” Calista said with a stiffening of her spine. “You're sweet to offer, my queen.”

I’d keep doing so because I didn’t want servants; I wanted friends.

“It’s our pleasure to treat you right,” Moira said, her posture loosening enough to show me she was grateful this potential mistake on my part had been settled. “We do appreciate your offer, my very kind queen.”

“Can you call me Reyla?” I lifted a bite of egg and placed it in my mouth, speaking around it. “At least inside my suite?”

The two women shared a glance before Calista sighed. “We shouldn't.”

“Please. It'll make me feel more welcome here. I don't know anyone. My only friend is King Merrick.” And Lore, though I wasn't naming him. He was a friend, wasn't he?

“It is our wish to make you feel welcome, my queen,” Moira said. “I, um, Reyla, that is.” High color rode in her face, and I wasn't sure she'd dare use my first name after this one time. Or she'd purposefully forget.

Perhaps, like someone helping me into my robe, I'd get used to being called “my queen” as well.

I ate what I could, though there was no way I could consume it all.

Farris bounded into the room not long later, bringing with him a nyxin smile and the smell of fresh air and sunshine. He galloped over and sat beside me, paying more attention to my plate than the pats I gave him.

Faelith stumbled into the room after him, her face florid and her clothing ruffled. “There he is,” she panted, pointing. “ The fine young fellow got ahead of me on the stairs, my queen, but I did my best to herd him in this direction.”

“He tolerated a collar and leash on the ship. You're welcome to use them when you take him out,” I said.

“That would be wonderful, my queen.” She shook her finger at Farris. “No more scampering ahead of me or chasing wild challs on my watch, my fine fellow.”

“Thank you for taking such good care of him.”

“It’s a joy, my queen.” She dipped forward in a formal bow. “A short time ago, I was asked by the king himself . . .” Her eyes widened. “Imagine! The king himself asked me to mention to you that when you felt ready, you could join him in the throne room.”

“Thank you. I’ll do that as soon as I’ve washed and dressed.”

Moira strode into the sitting area from the bedroom. “Your bath is ready, my queen.”

I rose and walked with her into the bathing area, where I suffered the embarrassment of having three women help me with something I could do all by myself.

In a short time, my hair had been washed, magically dried, and arranged on my head, and I wore a pale-yellow gown with a simple, low-cut bodice, puffy short sleeves, and a wide skirt that swished around me. I only vaguely remembered helping Brenna dress in gowns like this, and I couldn’t imagine wearing them all the time.

Brenna had never insisted on strapping a sword sheath to her spine, leaving the hilt of the blade jutting up above her left shoulder either.

I did .

“You . . . cannot.” Color rose in Calista’s face. “I mean, you, of course, can do as you please, my queen, but a sword . . . It’s just not done.”

“For me, it is,” I said simply. “Merrick said I could carry weapons.” I purposefully did not say King Merrick. “I like having my own protection.”

She nodded fast and said nothing more, not even when I strapped blades around my waist.

When I stepped into the sitting area, Faelith stood beside Farris who now wore his jeweled collar and leash. He sat on the floor, his fluffy tail swishing back and forth and his tongue lolling. He leaped toward me when I appeared, but she held him back.

“Now, now, my fine fellow,” Faelith said. “We cannot muss the queen’s gown.”

“I don’t mind.” I stooped down and held out my arms to the nyxin.

She loosened her grip on his leash, and he bounded over to lick my face, making me laugh as I patted him.

“He’s truly a dear, isn’t he?” Moira said, beaming at us all.

With that, we left the room, me leading the way only a few steps before I came to a stop and peered around. “I don’t know how to find the throne room.”

“Allow me to show you.” Calista stepped forward, and we took the stairs down, Farris restrained by Faelith but prancing at the end of his leash directly behind me. “You’ll soon know your way around, my queen,” Calista said. “Do step inside the main ballroom on the third floor. It’s simply gorgeous. A high ceiling. A polished floor. And an enormous balcony looking out at the back gardens and the mountain range beyond.”

I paused on the landing overlooking the huge foyer below devoid of anyone but six guards arrayed on both sides of the vast front doors. “We’ll hold the masked ball there?”

“No doubt,” Moira said. “While there are four other, smaller ballrooms, that’s the finest. I’m sure every lord and lady and their entourage will vie for an invitation to your coronation, the dinner that will follow, and the masked ball. This will be the highlight of the year.”

“Five ballrooms?” Why would anyone need more than one? But I wasn’t used to entertaining more than a few friends inside my fortress residence and needed to remind myself again that a queen probably hosted guests at balls all the time.

“King Theon considered renovating to add a sixth,” Faelith said.

“What generation was he?”

“King Merrick’s father, of course,” she said.

“The one who died quite young.”

“He was only thirty years old. Such a terrible thing.” Moira suppressed a shiver. She stood by the rail next to her mother with Faelith and Farris sitting placidly just beyond.

“Merrick said he was ten when he lost his father. I also heard the king was only thirty and it wasn’t an accident.”

“I don’t believe it ever is.” Moira’s gaze lifted, and she seemed to be staring at the far wall.

I looked in that direction but didn’t see anything but a smooth surface with bits of silver gilt woven into the fabric. “What never is? ”

“Excuse me?” Moira asked with a shake of her body. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“We were talking about King Theon’s death, how it might not have been an accident, and you said you don’t believe it ever is.”

“None see the shadows that claim them,” Faelith said in a sing-song voice. “Poor Evergorne. Every king has perished on his thirtieth birthday.”

“What?” I barked. How could this be true? And if it was, why hadn’t Merrick told me? Instead, I’d learn about it from my ladies spreading gossip.

“This way, my queen,” Moira said brightly, starting down the stairs. “The king’s waiting in the throne room.”

We didn’t have a set schedule. I doubted Merrick would chastise me no matter what time I arrived.

Faelith followed her while Calista hung back. She lowered her voice for my ears alone. “Take care not to venture far, lest hidden perils overwhelm you.”

I frowned her way. “What did you say?”

She blinked a moment.

“I was asking about King Merrick’s family,” I said. “His father’s death. Are you suggesting that if I try to satisfy my curiosity about how he died, something horrible could happen to me?”

“Why would I say anything like that?” She gasped out, her eyes widening with horror. Her hands twitched at her throat. “I’d never threaten you, my queen. Please believe this. I don’t . . . I didn’t say anything about his father’s death. ”

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to know more about the king’s family.”

“A choice, once made, is etched in the stone of destiny,” she intoned.

Something very odd was going on here.

Chills ripped up my spine. “What does that mean?” I instinctively reached for my sword, but I chided myself and dropped my hand back down to my side. My ladies chosen by Merrick were not a threat.

“I’m sorry. Did you ask me something, my queen?” Calista’s eyes drifted across mine, almost milky before they cleared.

The other women stopped halfway down the stairs and peered up at us.

“Are you coming, my queen?” Faelith asked, Farris wagging his tail and lolling his tongue beside her.

“Yes, of course.” Frowning, I started down the stairs beside Calista. “Where can I find more information about the Evergorne family?”

“I don’t . . . know.” Her voice came out deadened. A shudder rippled through her body before she looked up at me, her eyes clear. “Come. We’re dallying.”

“There’s something strange going on here if all the kings die on their thirtieth birthday,” I hissed.

Her head tilted, a frown filling her face. “Wherever did you hear something like that?”

What in all the fates was happening? I grumbled, but it was clear I wouldn’t get answers from my ladies.

Why hadn’t Merrick shared all this with me?

“Is there a library in the castle?” I asked .

Calista dipped her head forward. “Yes, my queen. Of course.”

“I want to visit it this afternoon,” I said.

“Why?” she asked.

To snoop into Evergorne secrets.