Page 101 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Chapter Sixty-Four

Elyse

F or the first time, Elyse found herself enjoying tea with the ladies. Of course, it was because Marietta whispered her entertaining commentary in Elyse’s ear. She couldn’t remember a day she laughed so much.

Perhaps the last time was at the Chorys Dasian townhouse.

Elyse glanced at Marietta sitting next to her, who half paid attention to what the ladies said.

She was unexpected, a friend that Elyse didn’t know she could have in Satiros.

A smile crept onto her face as Marietta leaned over again.

“Gods, we haven’t yet gotten to the baked goods and I can’t pay attention. ”

“Perhaps if they were talking about smut, then you’d listen.”

“Elyse,” Marietta said dramatically, “I am a lady of this court and don’t find such foul things entertaining.”

Elyse laughed, drawing Grytaine’s attention to the other side of Marietta.

“You two seemed to have grown close,” she said, her beady gaze narrowing on them. “Elyse, you’ve missed out on tea a few times now. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to ask of your betrothed before that ended, just like your first one.”

Heat rose to her face, the words lodging in her throat. Gods, it was just as she thought—

“No, not like her first one.” Marietta leaned over, offering a saccharine smile. “Brynden doesn’t have a secret wife.” She paused, smirking at Grytaine’s uncomfortable expression. “And he still writes the most poetic letters to Elyse.”

“Oh, is that so?” Grytaine turned her gaze to Elyse with a tight smile.

“It is,” she choked out. “Brynden, um, still wishes to marry me.”

“Lord Brynden calls her his goddess,” Marietta added, waving her hand out in an arc. “To think, so close to marriage but a story riddled with heartache.” She snatched her hand back to her chest.

A few ladies nodded at Marietta’s words.

“What about you, Marietta?” Grytaine turned the focus away from Elyse. “I heard Keyain had released half the guards into the city after you ran away from the palace. Is everything alright with Keyain?”

“Gods, that,” Marietta said, placing her hand on Grytaine’s arm. “Communication is a fickle thing, is it not? I had been so ill that my guard needed to take me to the temple for help and the note sent to my husband never reached him.”

Grytaine nodded, failing to hide the disgust on her face at Marietta’s touch.

“Can you believe how much he loves me?” she continued, speaking to the room. “Sent out half the guard to make sure I was safe.”

Her words awed Elyse, the way she flipped Grytaine’s attacks. Marietta had the ladies wrapped around her finger, hanging onto every word—even Queen Valeriya.

Where once the Queen would have to step in and save Elyse, she now had a friend who thrived off Grytaine’s comments. The idea thrilled her—not having to interact with Grytaine, to fumble on her words. Marietta was on her side and supported her.

“After all this time, he would still go to every length for me. I don’t think his heart could handle losing me again.” Marietta crossed her hands over her chest as the room offered their replies.

The Queen nodded her head, smiling, almost looking proud. She then looked at Elyse with a wink. Her heart sputtered at the acknowledgment, that something was going right at tea.

Servants interrupted her thoughts by setting a piece of cake in front of her. The brown sponge was sticky, sliced almonds adorning the top. From across the veranda, one lady exclaimed about the cake, and when she took a bite, she had to agree. It tasted sweet and nutty, perfect for summer.

Elyse turned to Marietta, the words dying at her expression. “What’s wrong, Marietta?”

She smiled, but tears lined her eyes. “This cake reminds me of home, that’s all,” she whispered.

Home. Enomenos. Elyse forgot she had lived there for so long. “Well, if this is what your home tastes like, then I hope you’ll share more with me. Because this,” Elyse said, pointing to the cake with her fork, “is delicious.”

The beaming smile on Marietta’s face warmed her heart as she nudged Elyse. “I’d love to show you more one day,” she said, taking a bite. “There are so many things I wish to tell you, my friend.”

My friend.

“But,” she continued, “only if you keep showing me those letters from Brynden.”

“Gods,” Elyse laughed. “You’re never going to let me live it down, are you?”

Marietta pointed with her fork as she spoke. “Never.”