Chapter 29 #2
“They don’t trust her,” Zayan said, beginning to gather his things, smartly sensing that Cethin would not be finishing their agenda today. “And because of that, they begin to question you. I am simply the messenger, your grace.”
Then he was gone, leaving Cethin alone in his study.
It had been a mistake to make her queen in title only. He’d done it to protect his kingdom, but it had sown seeds of doubt. The people needed to see them. See her with him. He’d hoped the Union Celebration would help, but that was still nearly two weeks away.
With a sigh, he got to his feet. Apparently, her time to acclimate was up. A royal title would always do what it did best: force a person into roles and duties they never asked for.
Then again, he supposed he’d done that to her.
He took his time climbing to their floor, finding their space empty.
After sending a note to Razik, he made some tea, hoping it would help wake him up.
Stepping out onto the balcony, he braced his elbows on the railing, holding the teacup between his hands.
Only then did he acknowledge the panther sitting in the corner to the right.
Black fur glistening in the daylight, her tail switched behind her, and her silver eyes were pinned on him.
Shirina, the spirit animal bonded to the goddess of night and shadows.
“I have nothing to say to her,” he said without looking at the panther.
The panther didn’t move. Her tail only continued to swish along the marble floor.
“But you can tell Altaria I await his return,” he added, referring to another of the spirit animals, before bringing his tea to his lips.
With that, the panther stood, stretching her front legs out and back arching. Then, with a flash of faint silver light, she was gone.
Moments later, he heard the doors open, the voices of Razik and Kailia carrying to him.
“Cethin?” Kailia called out, appearing in the balcony doorway a moment later.
It had been cool this morning, but this late in the day, the sun had warmed the air.
Spring had finally taken over, and the summer season was well on its way.
Despite that, she’d only removed her shoes, her cloak still around her shoulders and clasped at her throat, that blue crystal laying below the silver clip.
“Sorry to interrupt your day,” Cethin said, shifting so he leaned back against the rail.
Her dress was shorter in the front, stopping at her knees, while the back graced her heels.
It was lightweight, which he supposed is why she still wore the cloak, and he could see the outlines of the daggers at her thighs. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
She paused, amber eyes looking him up and down. “You look fatigued.”
His answering smile was likely as tired as he felt and, apparently, looked. “Where were you off to today?”
Kailia glanced over her shoulder at Razik before she answered. “We were at Razik’s study. He was finding me more books to read to understand the kingdom better.”
Cethin bristled at the idea of her spending time in his private space at the Greybane Estate. “Do you go there often?”
“The last few days, yes,” she answered. “But before that, no. Are you well?”
“Why would you think I wasn’t?”
“Because you bid us to return in the middle of the day. You are usually otherwise occupied at this time.” She paused before adding, “I suppose you are busy all the time. But I usually see you at breakfast and dinner, and it is neither of those times.”
“Right,” he muttered, setting his empty teacup on the balcony ledge. He cleared his throat. “I was looking to see if you’d like to spend the day in the city with me.”
“Why?” she asked in clear confusion.
“To spend time together.”
“We cannot do that here?”
“We could, but this is part of that ‘need to be convincing’ thing, wife,” he replied. “I’m told the people are having doubts because you are not seen enough.”
“Razik and I go into Aimonway quite often,” she argued.
“Yes. With Razik. Not me.”
She took a step towards him, her eyes narrowing. “To be sure I am understanding correctly: you are upset I am not seen enough with you when you don’t even spend your nights here? Or any of your days? I cannot do much convincing when my husband is a phantom, Cethin.”
His gaze flicked to Razik, who was leaning along the doorjamb with his arms crossed and a small smirk on his lips. The male only arched a brow at Cethin’s attention. He hated that they were having this discussion in front of him.
“Your presence is not needed,” he snapped at the male.
“I’m her guard, not yours,” Razik replied apathetically.
“There is nothing to guard her from right now.”
“There is if you’re going to Aimonway.”
“For the love of—” He stopped, grinding his teeth before returning his focus to Kailia. “That’s a fair statement, and something I would like to discuss more with you. Perhaps somewhere in the city? If you’re willing?”
“My willingness has not been taken into account in any of this. I don’t know why you’d start now,” she replied simply as she turned on her heel and went back inside.
Cethin held in a sigh, dragging a hand down his face before swiping up the teacup and following her.
He changed into slightly more casual attire, and moments later they Traveled to the city center.
If Razik was going to be with them, there was no need for additional guards, and Cethin knew there was no way Razik was staying behind.
He should be grateful the male was taking his role so seriously, but considering who it was, it only irritated him more.
It took less than a minute before the whispers and stares began as people noticed them standing in the middle of the city.
Letting his magic go first, his hand followed, dropping to the small of Kailia’s back.
She was naturally still, but she tensed for the briefest of moments before stepping closer to him.
“Start small,” he murmured. “And breathe, tiny fiend.”
She nodded, taking in a shaky inhale.
“Let’s go somewhere and get a drink,” Razik said, his voice low. “Everyone can relax some, but the two of you can still be seen together.”
Cethin nodded. “Astra?”
Razik’s answering look was incredulous. “No. We’re not taking her to Astra right now.”
“It’s not like we can just go sit down in a tavern,” he bit back.
Razik stared at him, but it was Kailia who said, “A tavern would be nice.”
Cethin pulled at the back of his neck. The king and queen in a godsdamn tavern. Fucking Fates.
Pushing out a long breath, he said, “I suppose we could go to The Dark Star. Are you okay with walking? It’s not terribly far.”
She nodded, and the three of them set off, stepping into the tavern some twenty minutes later.
It wasn’t as dark and unkempt as some places, but it was still a tavern.
Dimly lit, at least the floor wasn’t sticky with spilled ale and other liquids as they were immediately led to a private space upstairs.
The room overlooked the main floor below, and their stools had backs at their high-top table, unlike those below.
“This is a fancy tavern,” Kailia said, leaning over him to peer down below.
Until her shoulder pressed into his arm, and she went still. Locks of her black hair brushed along the back of his hand.
Gently winding those strands around his finger, he said, “It is one of the…more proper establishments of its kind.”
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand how sitting up here is going to convince anyone of anything. They can’t even see us.”
“She has a point,” Razik muttered. “It also takes twice as long to get our ale.”
“At least they have more than ale,” she said, sitting back in her chair and resting her chin in her hand. “Do you suppose they have card games here?”
“No, Lia,” Razik said, immediately accompanied by a pointed look.
Not understanding the exchange, Cethin asked, “Do you play cards, Kailia?”
“I would,” she replied.
“Your wife likes anything that involves competition,” Razik said, his gaze still pinned on her. “And she is overly competitive.”
“I don’t think someone can be overly competitive. The purpose behind any sort of competition is to win. It’s in the definition,” she bit back.
“A game of cards is not necessarily a competition,” Razik retorted.
“Then why did they call it that?”
“Wait,” Cethin cut in at the same time Razik muttered, “Fuck.”
Cethin shifted to face Kailia fully. “Where were you when you played cards?”
“I didn’t play cards,” she answered.
The conversation paused when the server approached, two mugs of ale and a glass of wine balanced on her tray. But the moment she was down the stairs, Cethin turned back to Kailia.
“Where were you that you witnessed a card game recently?”
She took a drink of her wine before she said, “A tavern.”
His head whipped to Razik. “You took her to a tavern?”
The male shrugged. “She stabbed someone. More than one, actually.”
“Razik!” she hissed, eyes wide with betrayal.
He leaned forward, pointing a finger at her from across the table. “We had an agreement. You broke it first by telling him we went there.”
“You took her to a godsdamn tavern?” Cethin cut in, so much rage coursing through him. His magic was pressing at him so insistently his veins were taking on a faint grey hue.
Razik noticed, straightening as he recognized the potential threat. His eyes shifted, glowing softly. “Get yourself under control, Sutara.”
“Which tavern?” Cethin demanded instead. But when Razik didn’t answer, he turned back to his wife. “Kailia?”
She shrugged, taking another drink of wine. “Somewhere by the docks. This wine is really good. Do we have this kind at the castle?”
“The godsdamn docks?” It took everything in him not to bellow the words. Actually, it took everything in him not to go across the table and hit the male in the face. “What were you thinking, Greybane?”
“I’m thinking this is probably not the place for this conversation,” he said in a pointed low growl.