Chapter 19
Theora
Where is he?
If they didn’t leave soon for the next session, they’d be late, and Theora had no desire to leave that sort of messy impression.
Everything had to go smoothly today, after they were so quickly thrown out the day before.
But she couldn’t go without Argos. There was no way she could enter that room without her bodyguard.
And if she was honest with herself, his absence was beginning to worry her.
“Ready, angel?”
Theora jerked around, heart thundering, only to see Apollo standing in the doorway. Argos was right—perhaps it’d be better for her nerves if her friend didn’t have a key to their wing.
“Not quite,” she replied, smoothing her dress, taking a breath to regain composure.
“We’ll be a bit late if we don’t leave in the next few minutes.”
“Yes, I know.”
“That’s not like you, Theora.” Apollo paused, glancing around the room. “Where’s Argos?”
“He’ll be here any minute,” Theora said, immediately regretting her harsh tone. “Any minute,” she repeated, her voice calmer. Though she wasn’t sure if she was reassuring Apollo or herself.
Apollo nodded, casually sitting down in the closest chair to wait. “I did a little digging, and I have it on good authority that Queen Pyre isn’t allowed to press the issue of her war commander today.”
Theora raised her brows. “How do you know that?”
“Apparently, the judge called Boada. She confirmed the Warrior logs verbally.”
Theora pushed back her grin of relief. Thank the Sovereign that woman was a spectacular liar. “A small blessing.”
“So it should all go smoothly today.”
“Thank you, Apollo,” she said a bit absently.
They were quiet for a moment.
“Theora,” Apollo began slowly. He took a breath. “Whatever you wanted to say to me next week…could you say it now?”
Theora blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I feel you were trying to give me hope. In the cave, when you told me that we would talk next week. That perhaps…your marriage to Argos isn’t what it seems.”
“It isn’t,” Theora blurted, relief flooding her. “I wanted to tell you, Apollo. There was just…too much risk.”
She couldn’t tell if he was shocked by her confession. Upset. Confused. Part of her wasn’t sure she’d done the right thing by telling him.
But Apollo was her best friend. If she trusted anyone, it was him.
“The plan had been to propose to you after peace was official,” she said. Though, if she was honest, the whole thing felt hollow now that she’d said it. Wrong.
“And now?” he asked almost sadly.
Theora swallowed. Yes, of course, she should’ve said. You’re my friend. I love you dearly.
And we need two Sovereign-chosen rulers to make my claim to the throne legitimate.
But Apollo spoke first. “Perhaps, Your Grace, when you’re home and able, you might grant me some diplomatic duties.”
“ ‘Your Grace,’ ” Theora repeated, as if that were the most offensive part of what he’d said.
“I would like to be as useful as I can to the Crown, but I feel it’s better that I do it, well…in a different capacity.”
Theora’s throat dropped into her stomach. “You can’t leave again, Apollo. I need you. I’m just now getting you back.”
“I know, but I—” He shook his head. “As my queen, you have my full support in everything. But I have my pride, too, and…it’s very clear you love Argos.”
Theora felt her face flushing scarlet. “I-I don’t. It’s only an act, so I could bring a bodyguard to the peace talks.”
Apollo smirked. “Clever.” His amusement fell as quickly as it formed. “I know you, Theora. You’ve never been comfortable with love or romance. But with Argos it just seems…natural.”
They were quiet for a long moment, as if neither one of them knew how to break the silence.
Theora swallowed the urge to cry, but she wasn’t sure which emotion was guiding it.
She hated the idea of hurting her friend’s feelings.
And she didn’t love Argos…How could she ever love this man she’d just met?
And yet part of her was…relieved.
“This is truly what you want?” she asked.
Apollo paused. “The woman I thought I’d marry is in love. What else can I do?”
Call me angel.
Tell me this isn’t the end of our friendship.
Don’t…abandon me when I need you.
“My claim to the throne could be challenged without you,” she said, kicking herself on the inside for using the coldest, most impersonal reason possible. “You said so yourself: There’s never been a magic-less queen before.”
“You’re the most progressive queen we’ve had in generations, Theora.
I think they’d continue to see you as a queen who loves her people.
A queen who isn’t afraid to embrace a new and better era of monarchy.
” He took both her hands in his. “All I ask is that you’ll continue to trust me as you always have.
That you won’t hesitate to come to me if you should need help. ”
“Of course. My dear Apollo…” She squeezed his hands, as if it were the last time she’d ever touch him. “You know how much I admire you and value your counsel.”
“That’s the problem, isn’t it?” He gave her a sad sort of reassuring grin. “Never mind. We should go. We’ll just make it on time, at this rate.”
They took the tram to the waiting room, to find Venita had already been escorted into the meeting room. They were most definitely late.
Apollo kissed her hand before leaving her at the waiting room door.
“You won’t stay to watch this time?” she asked him as he walked away.
He looked back at her, shook his head. “Your husband will look out for you, I’m sure.”
His wording made Theora shiver, but she stepped into the waiting room, stumbling as a large hand grabbed her wrist, dragging her back. She found herself panting in her husband’s arms, which he wrapped around her waist to hold her steady.
“What are you doing?” she whisper-yelled. “Where have you been—?”
“We can’t go in there,” he whispered back. “They’ve set us up.”