Chapter 9 #3
“It will be my honor, Your Majesty,” Gabriel said with subtle bitterness. “Who shall I assign to Lady Aurora and Lady Cora as chaperone and protector?”
Torrish licked his bottom lip and narrowed his eyes at Gabriel. “Assign Darragh.”
Gabriel took two quick steps up the dais, eyebrows furrowed. “Brother, I must protest! Please listen to reason. Darragh has never been trustworthy.”
King Torrish abruptly stood. A subtle flinch crossed Mollah’s face.
“You dare question my word? My authority?” Torrish’s breathing became heavier, face redder.
“I have full control over Darragh. Any more insolence out of you, and I will send you to the atoner myself! Do not make me send my own brother for punishment. Challenging me will not bode well.”
Gabriel must have thought better of pushing the issue further as he silently resumed his position next to me and bowed his head to his king. “My apologies. I will leave after dinner.”
“Oh, such drama for so early in the morning,” Queen Mollah exclaimed with a clap of her hands. “We have guests, the likes of which we haven’t interacted with in hundreds of years. I think this calls for a celebration. I will throw a lovely dinner party…nay, a ball! In ten days’ time.”
King Torrish dismissively waved his hand at her. “Yes, yes. Fine.”
She turned to a quiet Cora. “Cora, I will need all the help I can in planning such a grand party. Would you like to help me?”
Cora looked to me with eyebrows raised. I smiled and nodded once at her, and her face lit up. “I can? I would love to plan a ball. This will be so fun! Oh…Your Majesty,” she said with a cute little curtsy.
Queen Mollah giggled. “Younglings are such a joy. You are lucky, Aurora.”
“Indeed, I am, Your Majesty.” I tried to pull a smile on my face, but my nerves leeched it from me.
“I would like to introduce Cora to my two younglings. Prince Percie and Princess Sellen. They should be in the garden for morning lessons and activities. Would you care to meet them? You look to be around Percie’s age. He’s eleven,” Mollah said directly to Cora.
“I’m ten. I turn eleven in a few months, though.” Cora turned to me with pleading eyes. “Can I, Mom?”
“Of course. It will be nice to make new friends.” I turned to Mollah. “When can I take Cora to meet them?”
“I will take her and introduce them to each other. She can even join their lessons and participate in their afternoon activities. They are working on archery today. Gabriel will need to take you to meet your new chaperone anyway.” Her pillowy lips kept a tender smile as she wistfully looked at Cora.
I did not like the idea of being separated from my daughter, but I also couldn’t insult them by rejecting their generous offer outright. I blinked and opened my mouth but couldn’t find the right words. I softened my hands so that my sweaty palms could dry.
“Oh, please, Mom,” Cora begged. “I love school and don’t want to fall behind. Plus, maybe I will learn new things.”
Mollah studied my face. “You needn’t worry.
I swear she will be well taken care of.” She descended the dais, walking with an elegance my mother would drool over.
Taking my hand into her heavily jeweled one, her voice softly lowered.
“Mother to mother, I understand your hesitation. I would be nervous, too, letting my son or daughter go with strangers and ones that are not of my kind either. What can I do to put your mind at ease?”
Looking down at Cora’s expectant face made my heart melt.
I had always been protective of her, but she was growing up so quickly.
Her independence should not be stifled because of my insecurities.
I knew how awful that could feel. She was smart, resourceful, and tough.
Still, this was more dangerous than asking to go play in the woods with her friends.
It was an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people.
Mollah ignored Gabriel as he rested his hand on my back, pulling close to my side. He bent to my ear and whispered, “Let Cora go with Mollah to meet the prince and princess. It is safe, I swear to it.”
I took a small breath. “Your offer is so kind, Your Majesty. I can’t say I don’t have reservations, but you and Gabriel have been so accommodating. Cora may go.”
Cora started her normal, excited toe bouncing, causing Mollah, Gabriel, and me to smile.
“Wonderful! Cora, would you like to come with me?” Mollah held out her hand for her to take.
Cora beamed. “Yes, Your Majesty! Thanks, Mom.”
The Queen took Cora’s hand and led her to a door across the room. “We will meet you at dinner, Aurora,” Mollah reassured. Cora’s green dress swished as she walked away from me, hand in hand with Mollah.
“Come with me,” Gabriel muttered as he placed his hand in its usual spot.
I didn’t dare make eye contact with King Torrish, who had been silently seething on his throne, looking every bit as hostile as the golden god behind him. I lowered my head and followed a mere step behind Gabriel, separating from my daughter for the first time.