Page 141 of Thorns and Echoes

Clouds covered the sun. A gust of wind tossed his hair.

He continued, “Vern would have ended anyone else. The both of you would not have abandoned the court. The war you started for me – I can't stay and make it worse.”

Absent from her voice was all emotion. “You promised to stay, Castien.”

“I promised to try.”

She shook her head. “You want honesty, but you won't give me the same.”

She strode out of the garden, the breeze streaming through her hair and dress.

She was angry at him. She had never been angry at him.

His fallen Queen on the chessboard stared up at him, mocking him as it rolled with the wind.

He couldn’t leave like this.

He swept up the ring, but a minute had passed since she’d left. A minute too late. His fist clenched. She’d forgive him the minute. She had to.

He rushed down the aisle of roses. No guard stood at her doors. The captain would have followed her. The hall was empty.

Think, you idiot.

She had mentioned General Trishve. The military wing. Perhaps he could catch her before the meeting if he cut through the menagerie.

A guard followed him out of the Queen's Wing. He should have two.

Rushing past bowing servants and curious nobles, he almost walked right into a young child.

His steps faltered. There shouldn’t be children out here.

“Escort Castien!” greeted the girlish voice of the young Lady Silarya Kipos.

He put a hand on her shoulder and looked for her guards. “My lady, what are you doing here? You should be in the Queen’s Wing.”

The girl smiled. “I’m with my grandmother! She’s taking me home soon. Isn’t that exciting?”

“Home? Your home is here.”

She giggled. “Grandmother says I’m a Kipos, and that means my home is at the Kipos estate.” Glancing over her shoulder, she lowered her voice. “She says I probably won't return to the palace for years. I'll miss you!”

He was saved by his well-trained manners as his mind reeled with shock and alarm. “I will miss you, too, my lady.”

Children weren't returned to their families until they came of age. There were the occasional, brief, carefully observed visits, and even those rarely involved leaving the palace. Never for years.

He slipped his ring onto his finger. Perhaps he wasn’t the Consort yet, but status was important to the Lady Satryani. If protecting a child was the last and only way he could help, he would gladly wear the ring. “Is your grandmother in the gardens? I’d like to speak to her.”

“Oh, yes! She’s right over here.” Down the path she skipped.

He followed the girl to a small alcove bordered by four of the duchess’ personal guards.

Lady Satryani sat within. Two attendants waited upon her. At his entrance, she looked up from a book. “Ah, Escort Castien. Perfect timing. Would you mind helping me back to my rooms? The Queen seems to have missed tea today.”

He ignored the odd request. “Duchess, I am here to inform you that Lady Silarya Kipos will be returning with me to the Queen’s Wing. She is too young to leave the palace.”

Satryani closed her book firmly. “We may discuss this in private.”

“There is nothing to discuss.”