Chapter 5 Machinations #2
I was suddenly deeply weary. But vibrating with energy—fueled by anger and fear. I turned back to the king, putting Diaan out of my mind.
“Sire, please consider giving us at least four weeks.”
“We originally agreed to two!”
“And as I’ve explained, I’m certain it behooves us to take more time before entering Fyrehold. Both for her sake, and for the nation’s.”
The king rubbed his chin again, glowering. “I do not like the message it sends—it feels weak to sit on our asses, knowing their machinations have been brewing under the surface—”
“We will, of course, adjust as needed, if new information comes to the fore. But with the information we currently possess, this is my best advice.”
And it was. Though I was grateful to God that I could say that with a clear conscience, because Bren’s safety definitely weighed more heavily on my heart than the political strategy.
“Three weeks,” Alexi said. When I opened my mouth, he raised a hand to silence me. “I may be pressed to four if we can see promising signs, either within the nations, or in her skills. But for now… you have three weeks.”
I nodded once and bowed to him, but my chest simmered with frustration.
There was never enough time!
Then again, would there ever be a time when I would feel unafraid to walk her into that lion’s den? Probably not.
I hadn’t even straightened from my bow before the king was on his feet, marching towards the door, leaving the goblet on the sideboard as he passed it.
“Have the Furymaster send me the correct wording for a request of this nature. As long as I’m sitting on my ass, I’d like to draft our sending to Fyrehold. ”
“Yes, Sire,” I said to his back.
Then he was gone, leaving me with the queen.
I stared at the door where he’d exited for a moment, bracing myself before turning to her.
“Thank you for your time, Your Majesty,” I ground out.
“I’ll see myself out.” I strode towards the door as fast as I could without being seen to flee, but almost tripped when she appeared at my elbow.
“I’ll walk with you.”
I opened my mouth to assure her there was no need—very firmly—but the door swung open ahead of us and a surprised guard bowed at the sight of the queen already approaching the door.
“Your Majesty, we will escort you wherever—”
“No need,” she said breezily, taking my elbow as she always had. “The General will walk me.”
My skin crawled under her small palm, but with all four guards outside the door now watching, I had no choice but to do as she said.
Frustrated and angry, I walked at a brisk clip until she was forced to almost trot to keep up.
When we reached an empty cross-hall in the grand corridors of the royal wing, and were alone again, she looked up at me.
“You look like you’re grinding rocks in your teeth,” she said quietly.
I glared down at her, and to my surprise, she dropped her eyes.
“There’s no need to stare poison at me,” she murmured. “We are both adults and can conduct ourselves as such.”
“Is that what you were doing when you spoke to my mate?” I muttered.
Her eyes cut up to meet mine from the side, her gaze flashing, but then she returned to the corridor ahead of us.
“I am not your enemy, Donavyn.”
Debatable.
At least I had the self-control not to say it aloud.
“My offer to help the girl was genuine. Despite what you may think, I want to see her succeed. And I’m certain I could help.”
“She needs time, and training, and focus—and to stay close to me.” I still didn’t entirely trust the king not to attempt to separate us if he felt it might improve Bren’s chances to infiltrate.
But perhaps even without that. I had observed Alexi’s tendency to want control over anything he perceived could exceed his own influence or power in a person’s life.
Even petty things. He didn’t take kindly to the thought of anyone’s loyalty towards him being divided.
He was still gruff with me for not telling him about Bren and my matebond earlier, because it reminded him that my priorities had shifted.
As I’d admitted to Bren, he was right to feel threatened by her, at least in that way. I prayed daily there would never be a time I was forced to choose between protecting her, and protecting the king.
Thank God Alexi understood that bond was supernatural, and couldn’t be broken by external forces. I shuddered to think what he might do if he believed there was a way to eradicate it.
“She needs to understand the waters she’ll be swimming in,” Diaan said curtly.
I shook my head. “Our story is that she is a simple companion. If she isn’t a noble, they wouldn’t expect her to understand the court.”
“All the more reason she should—so she can play the game they don’t know she’s playing.”
I ground my teeth. “I don’t deny that you could offer insight, but there simply isn’t time,” I said firmly.
“Very well, then tell me what you need. To get her ready, and to give yourselves both the best chance of success in this venture.” She met my eyes, unwavering.
I waited until a gaggle of servants to pass so I wouldn’t be overheard, before responding.
“I need time to prepare her, find clothing for her that’s suitable for the Palace. And a fucking angel on my shoulder to ensure neither of us is killed before we can get to the bottom of this.”
Diaan gave a husky laugh at the angel bit.
“I can’t do much for the divine protection, but I will work on Alexi for you.
Don’t worry, his pride is wounded, so he’s impatient.
But once he recognizes the wisdom and his own success in it, he’ll shift on the timing—and I can help with the dresses, as well. ”
I eyed her from the side, unwilling to trust her, but grateful for the help. “Thank you,” I muttered.
“You’re welcome.”
“May I be released now?” I said tightly.
Diaan sighed, but as we reached the next intersection of hallways, she patted my arm, thanked me in a normal voice for my escort, then let me go, sweeping off into the next corridor, calling for a servant to notify a guard that she’d decided to visit the library.
The servant hared off in the direction from which we’d come, and I walked on freely, almost trotting myself, relieved to be out of her grip.
But my hackles didn’t settle until I’d turned the corner and could no longer feel eyes on the back of my neck.