Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tuscany
By the time the tank chews the road outside the Hall, the sky is a turbulent deep red, night ascending.
I am looking at my fingers, clasped together on my pristine velvety lap, unable to meet the gaze of my Army ladies just yet. Having basically rushed from the Hub under the pretence of a late tour, only they would know the truth now that we have stopped at the foot of Lord Beld’s Hall.
Between the Hub and this spot right here, I seem to have dissolved into my mind again, thoughts digesting the recent visit. What a failure I am. What a weak child I am that I couldn’t be the queen that Silk Girl thinks I am. The one I was carved to be.
I should have held her hand. Should have watched, asked more questions about the babes coming-and-going. What a useless, pathetic little girl I am.
The hatch opens and, absentmindedly, I climb from the tank, taking the hand that awaits mine, feeling not much at all. Just a weak body with listless, heavy limbs.
My inattentive gaze pans across the Guards to a stretch van parked across the terrace, the sliding door open. Women dressed from head-to-toe in solid midnight-purple veils, the seams brushing plain black ballet shoes, take the hand of a driver and climb from the vehicle.
I halt on the step I’ve taken without conscious thought and study them. How do they see where they are going?
“For the Guard, my queen.”
Essen’s voice drifts to me. I turn to acknowledge her for the first time today, finding my intrigue too strong to ignore.
“What do you mean?”
“They are for the feast.”
“The feast?” I question.
“For the Guards, my queen. I was informed of their attendance in the Hall, so they do not bother you. They are entertainment.”
I am not surprised she knows itineraries when I do not. I am always the last to know, unless I seek the information myself. Though taking Lord Bled in a library is not something I am willing to do to obtain it.
“Good,” is all I say, but feel entirely confused by the conversation. Words surge through my memory: ‘—you and the Guards have a banquet tomorrow. A gift from me to you for protecting The Cradle and my monarchs. Not demure at all. Keep the innocent away from that one.’
“I want to join the feast,” Brook mutters longingly. “I wonder what the Guards talk about when no one is watching.”
I wonder…
My mouth parts. I glare at Kong conversing with a Guard who points to the tyre of the tank.
Entertainment for him.
I’m already simmering with rage, and nothing has even happened yet. He hasn’t… Would he, could he, does he want to… be entertained?
My stomach twists, my jaw clenches, and my fingernails dig half-moons into my palms as visions flash through my mind—visions I know are unfair, unwarranted, but they come anyway, unbidden and cruel: Kong is taking one of those women over a table like Bled did last night to Essen.
I feel my warm affection for him splitting into hatred he does not deserve.
I. Feel. It. Anyway.
I lift my chin and stride back toward my suite, red anger misting my vision, each step a declaration and argument that only exists in my mind. I am reeling. Furious.
We enter my suite.
My ladies shuffle in after me.
The door closes.
“I could grab one of those veils and pretend to be one of them. Get the inside details on the banquet,” Brook whispers behind me, and I nearly trip over my feet.
Stopping so abruptly, Ana bumps into my back and gasps. “I’m sorry, my queen.”
I spin around, enraged, ready to spit poisonous words at Brook when her insolent verbal vomit takes a very different route in my mind. I could grab one of those dark veils and pretend to be one of them… I could.
“Are you okay?” Essen asks.
“My queen?” Ana says.
I stare through them, thinking, nodding—deciding. I could use the secret exit and sneak into the banquet. Adrenaline punches through my veins. I’m going to do it. “Bring me one of those veils.”
Essen gapes. “What?”
“I saw you last night” —I focus on her, not willing to waste a moment more on this matter— “I saw everything.”
Ana and Brook blink. Heavy silence curls around us, my message lingering.
Essen slowly pales as my words sink in. “That’s why you have been ignoring me today. Please, my queen, I—”
“You do not need to explain any more to me,” I cut in. Strong. Decisive, like Kong wants. “You have leisure time. You may experience it however you wish, but the next time you ignore a direct order to rest, there will be consequences. Do not challenge me.”
She nods firmly. “I understand.”
“Now…” Dragging a deep breath in through my nose, I use the long inhale to steady my heart rate. “Please,” I say, calmer, “obtain one of those veils for me.”