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Kallie took several quiet steps away from the door when heels clapped against the floor on the other side.

The door cracked open an inch before it halted. “If you must keep your word, we will find a way to work around it. No matter the cost.”

Tessa pushed open the door, but when she saw Kallie approaching, the former queen took a jilted step out of the room. She slammed the door shut before Kallie could peer inside the room.

“Queen Tessa,” Kallie said, curtsying and pretending she had not heard their entire conversation.

Creases formed at the corner of Tessa’s eyes. “I believe it is Queen Mother now. Especially since you are to be queen soon enough, Princess Kalisandre.”

Kallie offered a small smile, one meant to soothe rather than threaten, but Tessa’s gaze barely softened.

Tessa was a woman about to lose her power. No doubt she would be on the defensive. While Kallie never enjoyed making herself appear smaller, especially in front of other women. She would need to tread lightly here. If Tessa were threatened by Kallie and her father, Kallie would show her just how conniving she could be.

Kallie’s smile turned shy, her gaze dropped, and the lie left her lips with ease, “From what I have heard, those are tough shoes to fill, Queen Mother.”

In truth, Kallie knew Tessa was beautiful, but beyond that, she had heard little about the queen. Tessa preferred to hide in the shadows of her husband. However, Kallie was not so naive to think that the woman’s beauty or quiet leadership meant that the woman was not a threat to Kallie’s future rule.

“You are too kind, Kalisandre,” Tessa said with a tight smile.

Kallie giggled softly and then glanced behind the queen.

Tessa’s hand fell from the doorknob, and she folded her hands in front of her stomach. She tipped her head to the side. “Is there something I can help you with, my dear?”

Kallie held back the eye roll and donned a look of innocence as she fiddled with her fingers. “I was hoping to speak to your son. Unfortunately, we arrived rather late last night, and he and I were unable to meet. The staff, Lysandra?”

“Lystrata,” Tessa corrected.

“Yes. Lys-stra-ta said King Rian was unavailable due to the late hour.”

“I see,” Tessa said, glancing back at the door as Kallie waited.

Kallie cut through the growing silence, stepping forward. “Is Rian available?”

The queen’s gaze flew back to Kallie as though she had forgotten Kallie stood there at all. Tessa shook the expression from her face and pursed her lips. “Oh,” Tessa cleared her throat. “No.”

“No?” The ice in Kallie’s throat was potent even in that one word.

Tessa shrugged. “My son is busy. He is a king, after all. He’ll find you when he is available.” She flicked a hand in the air. “Come. Let us find Phaia. She will show you around in the meantime.”The queen glided forward and encouraged Kallie to follow with a wave.

Kallie, however, hesitated. She did not want to follow the queen. She did not want someone else to show her around. What sheneededwas to meet Rian and ensure their wedding was set. While Rian might wish to remain faithful to his word, his mother, on the other hand, was bound and determined to find a way to thwart it.

A warm hum buzzed in her stomach. Kalie could easily manipulate the woman and force her way through those doors. But her gift would only get her so far in this situation. She had to play the long game.

Perhaps what Kallie needed the most right now was to get to know the former queen. Maybe Tessa wasn’t the quiet queen everyone believed her to be. After all, people far too often misjudged women, belittled their work, and dismissed their quietness for ineptitude.

With a saccharine smile, Kallie turned her back on the king’s doors and followed the former queen down the hall.

* * *

Staff rushedfrom room to room only to pause when they saw the women walking.

Men and women whispered in each other’s ears, and the spot on the back of Kallie’s neck prickled as they sent pitied looks in her direction. Despite their sordid attempts to keep quiet, the wind carried their whispers to Kallie.

“Poor girl captured by those assailants,” one woman mumbled.

“Helpless to even protect herself,” another whispered.

“What do you think they did to her? Do you think she is still a good fit for the king?”