Chapter 19
Elara
My mind was racing.
Not only was there a cave full of Myrgonite stones in the mountains of Norrandale, but if the stones existed then it meant there was a possibility that the three “magical objects” of Queen Riona existed as well.
Lance was right. For all his idiocy and malice, he was right about the jewels. I barely knew what to think.
No wonder Cai was having sleepless nights. No wonder Norrandale was under constant threat. If someone were to discover and abuse them, the effects could be disastrous. Part of me was thrilled that Cai had finally decided to confide in me about something. But more than that, a new fear had etched itself on my chest. How on earth were we going to keep this secret protected? And even worse, what if we couldn’t?
Cai and I arrived back at the palace a few hours later. It was Jack who ran up to our horses, his face filled with concern. “Your Majesties—”
But the expression on Cai’s face told him that it wasn’t the time. And Jack knew better than to press the matter.
“Sorry to have made you worry, Jack.” Cai dismounted before walking over to lend me a hand. “I promise it was important.”
“Of course.” Jack bowed his head.
“Any news on our runaway assassin?” Cai asked. A groom ran over to take the horses from us.
“I’m afraid not. But they’re searching everywhere. We’ll find him soon, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Jack.”
I was surprised when Cai took my hand as he led me back inside the palace, but I didn’t dare let go. The hallways were quiet, with few members of the court around. “Where do you think everyone is?” I asked him.
“I wonder. Possibly outside, enjoying what’s left of the good weather.”
“Do you have duties to attend to now?” I wanted to spend more time with him, wanted to talk about how we were going to approach the future with the information I’d learned. More than anything, I just wanted Cai’s company.
“I’m afraid so.”
I tried not to let him see my disappointed expression.
“But I will see you tonight at dinner.” He squeezed my hand, and my heart fluttered.
The sound of female laughter came from down the hallway. “It sounds like somebody is having fun,” I remarked.
“It sounds like Gwen and her friends.”
When I first arrived, I was quickly intimidated by Lady Gwen and her close relationship with Cai. But the more time I’d spent at the palace, the more I saw the love they shared with each other was truly of the sibling kind.
Cai and I peeked around the door into one of the drawing rooms. Sure enough, Gwen and her friends were seated at a round table, playing cards being shuffled between them. I was relieved to find that Lady Meredette was nowhere to be seen.
Gwen’s jumped up at my presence. “Your Majesty.” Everyone stood up from the table and curtsied to Cai. “Queen Elara.” Gwen’s eyes lit up and she smiled at me. Her eager expression pleasantly surprised me. “I was actually looking for you, but Lady Anesta said she couldn’t find you anywhere.”
“My apologies, Gwen, I’m afraid I stole Elara away this morning,” Cai said before I had a chance to reply.
Some of the women eyed the way Cai’s hand was holding mine. I quickly stepped into the room.
“I’m at your disposal, Lady Gwen.”
“We’re playing a game of cards, and I was wondering if you would like to join us, Your Majesty.”
I was flattered. Growing up among men and boys, I didn’t always have the luxury of female friendships. It was nice to have my company wanted. On the other hand, it was absolutely terrifying. They would all expect me to act like a perfect queen, these young women of noble birth who had been raised in court their whole lives.
Suppressing my nerves, I looked back at Cai, who gave me a smile and mouthed “See you later”, before departing from the drawing room.
I took a seat at the table and one of the women started shuffling the cards again. I was embarrassed to admit that I didn’t really know any card games.
“What are you playing?”
“Queen of hearts.”
“I’ve never heard of that,” I confessed, biting the inside of my cheek.
“That’s because we made it up, Your Majesty,” Gwen said with a grin.
“Please call me Elara. I can’t have any of my friends calling me by my title.” It was bold of me to assume Gwen would even want to be my friend. But she seemed so kind and genuine and clever. She was the esteemed lady I could never be.
“I’d be honoured to.” We turned our attention back to the cards and I focused on sitting up straight.
“So, how does the game work?”
Gwen proceeded to explain the rules to me very patiently. The main idea was to avoid the queen of hearts card that was hidden among all the other cards. You could exchange cards with other players and the one who held the queen of hearts at the end of the game lost. Everyone would play until there was only one person left. It took me a few rounds to fully grasp the rules but then it quickly became rather enjoyable.
“So, Lady Haisly, how is your courtship with Lord Flit going?” Gwen asked as she handed out a card to each of us. I turned it over. Seven of spades. There was a small breath of relief.
Lady Haisly blushed. “He sends me letters almost every day.” Some of the other ladies around the table “ooo’d” with girlish excitement. “Some of them are just kind words and sometimes he sends me verse.” Lady Haisly was clearly smitten.
Though I’d never been one to be seduced by poetry, I could understand her excitement. It must have been nice to have someone care so much. When you returned their affections, of course.
“Can we expect a proposal soon?” Lady Romy asked.
“He talks about the future all the time,” Haisly confirmed. “I’d like to think he’s planning to propose.” I was almost jealous of her giddiness. Of the fact that she could happily marry who she pleased. That she didn’t have a whole kingdom dependent on her marriage.
“You’re so lucky.” Gwen sighed. “I am never getting married.”
“Don’t be so negative,” Romy said. “You just haven’t met the right person.” She looked down at her cards with a slight frown.
“If one more person says that I’m going to throw a vase at them,” Gwen grumbled.
“At least you’re not alone. My parents would love to arrange a marriage for me and I’m running out of excuses,” Lady Romy complained.
“There’s always Lord Thatcher.” Haisly smirked and exchanged a card with Gwen.
“Last I heard, he was still interested in Lady Celia,” Romy responded.
“Let’s not talk about my brother in that manner, if you please.” Gwen groaned. “I don’t want to lose my appetite before dinner.”
“Sorry, Gwen, but surely you must know that your brother is attractive and there’s a reason he’s so popular among women.”
Gwen sent a look of disapproval in Romy’s direction. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s the most annoying person on earth.”
“Can’t be worse than my brother,” I muttered, without thinking, and they looked towards me.
“I’ve heard quite a lot about His Highness,” Lady Haisly said while Gwen’s eyes focused on her cards.
“And none of it good, I’m assuming.” Lance had a reputation, after all.
“At least you didn’t have to grow up with him,” Gwen muttered, still undecided on which card to exchange.
“That’s true.” I forced a chuckle. They might have heard about his drinking and frivolous parties, but I could never tell them who Lance really was, what he did to me and Cai.
“Don’t you think Lord Thatcher is handsome, Your Majesty?” Lady Romy asked.
“Mmh.” I tilted my head to the side, wanting to give an honest answer without making Gwen uncomfortable.
“He’s not bad -looking.”
“That’s a very diplomatic response,” Gwen said. “Though I suppose you prefer Cai’s features.”
I felt the heat crawling up my neck. Of course Cai was handsome. Anyone could agree he was good-looking. But having to admit it out loud made me squirm like a shy young girl.
“His Majesty is blessed with good genetics.” I was suddenly very focused on the cards in front of me. Luckily no queen of hearts yet.
“Don’t avoid the question.” Gwen tauntingly bumped my shoulder. “We all know you’re practically swooning.”
I gave her a look but let out a chuckle, nonetheless. The girls giggled behind their cards.
Was this what I’d been missing out on my whole life? I was enjoying myself and their company so much more than I’d thought I would. The group of them were so inviting and we could joke about silly things. For an hour, I didn’t need to worry about the politics of my kingdom or when the next council meeting would be. I could laugh about nonsensical things, my biggest concern the pack of cards in front of me and whether they contained a very specific queen.
“No but do you know what’s really been bothering me?” Haisly changed the subject. “Why is no one talking about Lady Marlowe’s dress from the other night?”