Chapter 3
Elara
The chill morning breeze swept into my chambers through the open window.
Anesta, my lady-in-waiting, noticed the goosebumps form on my skin. The sun chose to remain hidden behind the clouds, casting a shadowy feel over the land of Everness with its dark forests and long winding rivers. The hills rested beneath their cloudy blankets, and the gloominess suited my mood.
“Are you cold, Your Majesty?” she asked.
“Cold, nervous, thinking about jumping out of that window — does it matter?”
She couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “You really dread meeting the Darwicks, don’t you?” Anesta walked over to the window and closed it.
Of course I dreaded meeting them. I wasn’t sure how other royals handled these kinds of situations, but I was never not going to feel awkward discussing the prospect of marriage like I was discussing what to have for dinner. I knew I couldn’t exactly avoid them for ever. As Rhen had mentioned, they were a very influential and popular family. And if I wanted to remain Queen of Everness, I needed the strong noble families on my side.
“Have you met the Darwicks before?” I asked, meeting her gaze in the mirror as she placed a pearl necklace around my neck.
I should have been used to wearing expensive jewellery by now. Still, I couldn’t help touching a fingertip to one of the pearls. I’d held plenty of expensive jewels in my hand as a thief, but I never wore them. They were a means to an end, not a decoration meant to flatter me. And yet, I couldn’t help but like the way it looked on me.
My dress was more comfortable than I’d thought it would be. The light blue silk trailed past my ankles to where my shoes laced up my calves.
“No, I haven’t,” she admitted. “But I’ve heard plenty about them.”
“Well, once you see them, you might understand my mood.”
“I’m sure Lord Edgar’s not as horrid as you remember.” She tidied up the room by putting the brushes, ribbons and hairpins back into the drawers.
“You should have seen him the first time we met back at the Darwicks’ estate. He kept looking at me, and I can promise you now, he wasn’t thinking, ‘ Hey that’s a nice dress she’s got there ’.”
“Well, then go out there and be the queen I know you are. Show him who he’s dealing with,” she reminded me. “Besides, you should get used to men’s eyes falling out at the sight of you. You are now the most desired woman in the kingdom.” I could almost have snorted at the preposterous thought. If they knew who I really was underneath all the glamour, they probably wouldn’t be that interested.
“You know, sometimes I wish I possessed the confidence you have in me.”
Anesta talked like I was fully capable of ruling a kingdom. I wish I could believe it.
She tweaked a few strands of my hair once more. “The more you act like a queen, the more people will learn to respect and even fear you.” And then she added, “Your Majesty,” with a grin.
I watched her fuss over my hair in the mirror, making sure not a lock was out of place.
Acting. That’s exactly what it felt like I was doing. Temporarily filling in a role until someone better came along and replaced me.
I stood up, taking in my reflection. With Anesta’s talent, I looked like a blue fairy. And not the childish kind, more like the enchanting, ethereal kind.
“Just remember that you are the prize. The Duke of Darwick is here to make a proposal which you can deny at any time. He cannot force you into marrying his son.”
“One thing I’ve learned,” I said, brushing down my dress and taking a final glance at my reflection in the mirror, “is that it’s a dangerous game to underestimate people.”
“And that will be their mistake should they attempt to underestimate you.”
I gave Anesta a knowing look. “Perhaps you should have been queen. I think you’re much better suited for the role than I am.”
She shut my cupboard and brushed a stubborn strand of hair out of her face. “Goodness, no. It’s too much responsibility. I make a daily prayer, giving thanks that I’m not you.”
“Hey!” My eyes widened at her blunt comment as I pretended not to be offended.
“I’m kidding,” she assured me. We both knew she was not. I turned to the row of crowns before me. There was the one that I’d inherited from Lance, a smaller pearl one that might suit my jewellery better, and then there was another large diamond one, definitely more intimidating.
“You know what I mean,” Anesta continued. “Though I wouldn’t be opposed to being a duchess.” She gave me a wink. I’d specifically asked Rhen for a lady-in-waiting of a much lower station. Someone I could trust and who wouldn’t gossip about me at court. I also requested having only one lady-in-waiting. This wasn’t entirely conventional, but the last thing I needed was a train of people running after me.
“Shall I arrange a marriage for you, then? Trap the poor bastard before he has a chance to run away?” I asked her.
“Maybe give me a chance to trap him first.” She handed me the crown of pearls. “I’m much better at flirting than you are, anyway.”
“Anesta!”
“You don’t need any skill, Your Majesty. You already have more than any other girl could offer. The rest of us are reliant on our charms and wit.” Where had the time gone when I was reliant on my wit?
I placed the pearl crown on my head, causing a few hairs to go astray, and after some more fussing from Anesta, I’d finally had enough. I turned and headed for the white, decoratively carved doors of my rooms, Anesta darting to catch up with me.
“Don’t be offended. You’re the Queen of Everness. You don’t have to flirt. Men will sell their souls to marry you.”
“Only it won’t be for the right reasons.” A few months ago, I was living in the woods, bathing in rivers and stealing from the very people who lived in my court, and here I was, multiple crowns and dresses, actually contemplating arranged marriages. The thought made me nauseous.
Before all this, I never had the particular luxury of thinking about marriage, not when my next meal was much more important. I would admit that, at times, I thought maybe one day Ray and I would eventually marry. Mostly because there was no one else. But as Anesta said, I had the pick of them now. I could probably marry any great man I wanted. But where on earth did you find a good one? Someone worthy?
Rhen was waiting outside my chambers, ready to escort me.
“She’s become a romantic,” Anesta teased in response to my comment.
“Who’s gone romantic?” Rhen asked, and I shook my head.
“I’ve not become a romantic. I simply don’t want to marry a power-hungry man who will stab me in the back.”
“Well, you’re off to a smashing start with the Darwicks,” Rhen said, though his tone didn’t suggest this to be true.
“This was your idea,” I reminded him.
“Yes, I said it would be to your political advantage, not that it would keep you from getting murdered.” He must have seen my worried expression because he added, “Though I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Rhen cleared his throat. “Darwick will need an heir before he can kill you anyway.”
“You two are not helping at all.” I clenched my jaw, dreading the meeting even more than I had before.
We descended the staircase, before making our way down the hall that led to the throne room. After the rebellion, I’d sent most of the court to their estates while things were cleared up. And then I got rather used to the quiet of the palace, which made me picky about who was allowed to visit. The Duke of Darwick and his son, Edgar, already stood awaiting me. Good. I hoped they’d been waiting for a while.
The duke was a tall man with dark hair and dark eyes. Edgar had his father’s features along with an upturned nose and deep Cupid’s bow. He was dressed more finely than the last time we’d seen each other, as was to be expected.
“Your Majesty,” the duke said, and the two of them bowed. I knew they did it because they had to, but it made me wonder how much they truly respected me. The lost heir who’d not been brought up in the ways of the nobles. The queen with no experience or rights to her title other than by birth, who now held their fate in her hands. I doubted their affection for me surpassed mine for them. Not beyond what my position could offer them anyway.
I halted in front of the Darwicks.
“Darwick, it’s lovely to see you,” I lied through my teeth.
Still in his bow, the duke took my wrist and placed a presumptuous kiss upon my hand. “Not as lovely as it is to see you, Your Majesty,” he purred, in a way that caused my discomfort to grow.
I gently plucked my hand out of his grasp without trying to appear rude. “Shall we retire to the dining hall?” I felt Edgar staring at me from behind as we made our way to my private dining room, where we would not be disturbed by anyone.
I had suggested they join me for breakfast, thus keeping the conversation quiet and formal for as long as possible and giving me the opportunity to leave at any moment. It wasn’t the norm, of course, and I presumed the Darwicks would think it odd. But I had to keep reminding myself of Anesta’s words: it was an honour for them to dine with the Queen.
I took my seat at the head of the table and regretted for a moment that I didn’t choose to wear my bigger crown; somehow, I felt as though I wasn’t intimidating enough. The dining table was impeccably set, as always, with a thick white tablecloth and stitched napkins. Food was displayed from one side of the table to the other. Plates filled with breads and cheeses, salmon, sauces, a selection of cured meats, and fruits that looked so fresh they practically glistened. Any other monarch might have found it fitting but it almost made me sick to my stomach. Sick and distraught to imagine people dining like this when, out there in the kingdom, some of my subjects were dying of hunger. How, not long ago, my own family and friends were practically starving. How I had been stealing to ensure my next meal.
The Duke of Darwick sat to my left while Edgar took a seat on my right-hand side. A servant poured us some tea.
The duke, in slight discomfort at the oddity of the meeting, looked around the room and blurted out, “If you don’t mind, Your Majesty, I think the sooner we get straight down to business, the better.” Lord Edgar hesitantly started filling his plate, his attention having been diverted from me to the array of food. I couldn’t say I was disappointed.
“Of course.” I took a sip from my cup, my throat dry. “No one would confuse you for a man fond of idle chit-chat, Darwick.”
Samuel Darwick smiled. “Well, there is no need to waste time and I believe time is of the essence to you, my queen.” I didn’t appreciate how his words suggested I was in some sort of predicament and reliant on their cooperation, even if it was somewhat true.
I squinted. “No, I suppose there is no reason to waste time with the usual pleasantries.” Of course, they didn’t know that we’d met before. Darwick had no idea that I’d been to his estate, had slept in his house and made use of the horses that he’d given me. He was still under the impression that was Eloisa. And there was no reason for them to be informed of the truth.
“We have accepted your invitation to come to court because I’d like to discuss a matter of importance.” Darwick tapped his fingers together, his son’s eyes lingering on me as he ate.
“As you likely know, being a recently crowned queen has its challenges,” he continued.
“The royal court can be a wicked place,” I agreed.
“And it’s our alliances that keep us protected.” He clearly had a few ideas in mind.
“If you are to remain Queen of Everness, you need to secure your reign, Your Majesty. A marriage can be an immensely powerful alliance.” Definitely not beating around the bush.
“Your family has a long Evernean lineage, Darwick,” I admitted, “and they’ve always been close to the Crown, haven’t they?”
He took a sip of the tea and tasted it for a moment too long. His silence gave the impression that he wanted to dominate the conversation and the room. Part of me couldn’t blame him. His family was one of the oldest in Everness and he’d had his hand in noble affairs for a very long time. Now he found himself sitting across from an eighteen-year-old girl who hardly knew anything about the Crown and wanted to tell him what to do.
“Yes, Your Majesty. And I believe an Evernean husband would vastly strengthen your claim to the throne. As you said, our family has a long history and heritage, dating back to the founding of Everness. Our land and resources stretch far and wide and you would have the approval of your council as well as the people. All parties benefit this way.” The duke wasn’t lying. Every single word I knew to be true. And yet, it still felt like they were getting the better end of the bargain.
“Before I consider an agreement, I have a few questions,” I responded, and the duke frowned.
“Yes, Your Majesty?” The tone of his voice gave the impression that it irked him to use my title.
“I have to consider this matter very seriously, as the future of the kingdom hangs in the balance. So, I suppose my question is, why would I want to marry you , Lord Edgar?”
He seemed momentarily surprised at my question. Edgar opened his mouth to speak, but before he could reply, I continued, “You would, of course, get to be king of Everness, but you are not the only wealthy family in this kingdom. And more importantly, we hardly even know each other.”
I was in way over my head and perhaps risking the only alliance currently offered to me. But Anesta was right, being a scared queen who gives in to any offer because of fear wasn’t going to get me anywhere either. Even with my hands shaking, I had to remind myself that I was the one with power.
I am the prize. I am the prize. I am the prize.
I stood up from the table and folded my hands together so that the shaking would be less visible. Then I took a slow, deep breath to steady myself as I walked around the table to where Edgar was sitting. I used to be the most wanted thief in Everness. I was not going to be patronised by a spoiled boy and his overbearing father. I held out a — now steady — hand towards Edgar.
“Care to join me for a walk? Perhaps we could change the latter.”
His cautious expression turned into an unsuspecting grin, renewing my previous feelings of discomfort. Something about him unnerved me. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
“It would be my pleasure.” It was the first time he’d spoken, and I wasn’t sure I liked the way he stretched out the word “pleasure”. He took my hand, rising from his seat, his plate full of food forgotten. His hand was cold and clammy in mine, and I shifted our position so that I was holding the crook of his elbow. Together, we made to leave the dining hall.
The Duke of Darwick tried to hide his offence in having been excluded. When Rhen made a motion to follow us, I held up my hand. I needed a private audience with Edgar for various reasons and something told me he wasn’t going to get in many words as long as his father was around.
I pulled away from him, pretending to fix my dress as we continued down the marble hallway and into the throne room. A servant was sweeping the floors, which seemed like a useless and impossible task with a room so large. The servant girl looked up, her eyes flashing with recognition for a moment. She awkwardly stepped out of our path.
“You’ve been awfully quiet so far,” I commented, trying to assess his character.
Edgar shrugged, picking at a nail. “My father likes the sound of his own voice. Eventually you learn to stop listening.”
I let out a “humph”, thinking for a moment that perhaps Edgar did possess some sense of humour. It didn’t count for much, but it was better than being married to a boring man.
I looked about the throne room, trying to come up with something for us to talk about.
“I’ve always thought this room to be rather cold, don’t you think?”
Edgar gazed at the ceiling that stretched high above us. “I suppose on a cloudy day like today, it can be a little dark despite all the windows.”
“Perhaps I could add a few tapestries to brighten it up?” Good grief, had I truly resorted to talking about tapestries?
“I’ll admit, I don’t know much about tapestries.” At least he was honest. That had to count for something, right?
“Do you have any particular interests, then?”
“I like to read.”
Of course, he liked the very thing I preferred to avoid as much as possible.
“I wish I was more of a reader, but it seems like there’s always something better to do. I’m rather fond of the outdoors. That is, when I’m not occupied with my duties.” I didn’t want it to sound like I spent my days gallivanting around the palace, with the current state of the kingdom.
“That’s nice.” Edgar already appeared bored, so I decided to change the topic.
“What are your reasons for going along with your father’s proposal?”
“As you said, because I get to be king,” he replied, like I was some kind of idiot.
“Is that all?” I gave him the opportunity to redeem himself.
Edgar’s eyes roamed over me before he smirked and finally said, “No.”
A quick shiver ran down my spine and I looked towards the nearest window, not wanting to meet his eyes. It was probably too late to jump out now.
“Still, not anybody can just wake up one day and decide to rule the kingdom.” I attempted to keep my voice emotionless.
“You did.”
I looked at him in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“You showed up out of nowhere and became Queen of Everness.”
We’d come to a standstill and Edgar looked around the throne room as if contemplating what his future here could look like. Well, not if I could help it.
“That wasn’t my choice. My brother abdicated and I was next in line to rule.”
“Speaking of which.” He gave me a raised eyebrow. “Where is His Highness, again?”
I didn’t answer.
“You have given me no reason whatsoever to accept your hand,” I finally told him, letting my irritation slip into my voice.
He shrugged. “I don’t have to win your approval. You need me.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Without me, you will eventually lose against the aristocrats and the unrest in the east. You have too many enemies from within. You need someone like me to protect your claim, satisfy the public and provide you with an heir.”
Before I would have snorted at him, but now I was plain disgusted. Disgusted at his manners, his lack of propriety and blatant disrespect. And coming from me, the girl who’d once spat in a prince’s face, that was saying a lot. I stepped back to make my way to the dining room again. “I suggest you take your leave.”
Before I make you .
The meeting was over and done with, as far as I was concerned. “I’m starting to think your father isn’t the only one who likes the sound of his own voice,” I muttered, more to myself than to him.
As I headed for the door, I met the wide eyes of the servant girl who’d now stopped sweeping.
“You’re no more a monarch than I am, thief,” he sneered.
I halted, slowly turning around to face him again. “What?”
“You think I don’t know who you really are?” he said in a low voice.
“You cannot try and blackmail your queen with a rumour. I can have your head for this.”
“Soon the whole of Everness will know your little secret.”
My heart raced. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. Pure ice-cold fear filled every inch of my body. If anyone ever found out I was the Masked Bandit, they would have my head. I wouldn’t even live to see the trial.
How the Darwicks knew was beyond me. It didn’t matter. I was sinking into much deeper trouble than I thought. The only thing the aristocracy hated more than a young and weak queen was the bandit who had troubled them for years.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Deny. Deny. Deny.
“I don’t make idle threats,” he said, and my mind raced, trying to come up with something to say.
The servant girl moved suddenly, coming towards us.
“Neither do I. It’s your word against mine.” I didn’t want him to see that I was scared. Couldn’t let him know he currently possessed the upper hand.
“Unless you marry someone more powerful, you’re out of choices, I’m afraid. And since nobody is lining up, I dare say you will be mine.”
The servant girl was behind him now. She tossed the broom to the side and pulled out a kitchen knife. I watched in shock as she pushed Edgar out of the way and came straight for me.
I moved quickly, my eyes focused on the long silver blade. Taking a step back, I almost tripped on the hem of my dress. Stupid dresses that didn’t have any places to keep weapons in them.
“You should never have taken the crown,” she spat out, hair slightly rough, her freckled face filled with disgust.
“You don’t belong on the throne.” She came at me, and I barely missed her jab to my stomach. Who’d sent her? Who did she answer to? I couldn’t process the thought of an assassin in my palace.
“Rhen, guards!” I shouted, watching for her next move.
Edgar stammered, mouth opening and closing stupidly. Instead of trying to help me, he stepped away.
“You’re not a real queen.”
“Enough,” I told the servant girl. I doubted I would be able to talk sense into her. There was too much hatred in her eyes. If only I had something on me to protect myself.
“You shouldn’t have come here.” She attempted to stab me again and I jumped out of the way. In desperation, I took the crown from my head and used it to try to knock the dagger from her hand. But the young girl’s grip was strong and her motivation more than ample. I dodged her left and right, while realising a pearly crown was not the most practical weapon. The doors burst open as Rhen and a few palace guards entered. It was only in this moment that Edgar decided to step in and help by grabbing her from behind. She kicked and thrashed, blade flashing, almost cutting him before the guards grabbed hold of her and held her hands behind her back. She continued to scream profanities as two of the guards dragged her out. As I had once been dragged out of the very same throne room. I shuddered, breathing deeply. Blood pumped wildly through my veins.
“You’re bleeding.” I flinched when Rhen touched my skin. The girl had managed to nick my arm, but I was shaking too much to take notice.
“Come on.” He led me by my other arm. “We’ll get a physician to look at that.”
“No.” I pulled away. “I’ll do it myself. Have someone see the Darwicks out.”
We both knew the best thing was to have a physician attend to the wound rather than add another ghastly scar to my skin. But Rhen also knew better than to argue with me. We hurried back to my rooms. He kept looking left and right, his body shielding me. I walked into my chambers with a few men standing guard outside.
“I need to go and deal with what just happened downstairs,” Rhen said. It had been a long time since I’d seen him this shaken, though he was trying his best to not show it.
“The Darwicks?” I looked in the mirror at the small trail of blood running down my arm.
“The girl. Someone just tried to assassinate you.” Right.
“What are you going to do with her?” I turned to face him.
“She committed an act of treason,” he said, as if I didn’t know.
“She’s just a child, Rhen. She doesn’t know any better.” And yet, Rhen was right. She had just tried to kill me. Beyond the hate, I saw something in her eyes that I used to recognise in my own. Desperation. She had done nothing that I wouldn’t have likely done, not so long ago.
Rhen met my eyes.
“I will interrogate her. Maybe she isn’t the only one inside the palace.”
I nodded and he left the room, allowing me to catch my breath. My heart was pounding, and for the first time in a long time, I realised that I was afraid... truly afraid.
I tossed the crown onto the bed before dragging my fingers through my hair. I wanted to be sick. My arm was still bleeding, and the pain of the cut started to settle in. How had things gone so wrong so quickly?
Without thinking, I grabbed a nearby vase and threw it at the opposite wall, watching the glass break and cover the ground beneath in little pieces. The vase was probably antique and valuable. I didn’t care.
Between my servants trying to kill me and the Darwicks trying to blackmail me, I might have been better off that day of the rebellion if I’d just stayed on the damn horse and run away. Clinging to the bedpost, I sank down onto the bed, holding back tears.