Page 122 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Chapter Eighty

Marietta

M arietta sighed. “Elyse’s at the library again? That’s the third day in a row.”

Amryth looked up from her book on the other end of the couch. “You sound like a clingy lover.”

“Not a clingy lover, just a desperate friend.” Marietta sighed again, throwing herself back into the cushions.

Ever since Marietta found Elyse in the bathroom, she wanted to check in everyday. Gyrsh was a monster, trying to regain control over Elyse. At least, that’s what Keyain shared.

Those were his last words to Marietta. Most mornings, he rose before she woke up and returned after she was already asleep. Unsure if it was to avoid Marietta or if the Exisotis made a move, she was happy Keyain was somewhere else. In the evenings, she ate with Elyse and Amryth—and sometimes Wynn.

Finding Wynn in Elyse’s suite surprised her that first day.

Not realizing they knew one another, his presence brought Marietta peace of mind—that a talented mage would watch over Elyse and make sure her father didn’t return.

Or the Queen, for that matter. Elyse had broken some rule by sharing Brynden’s real name with Marietta.

She hadn’t talked to Elyse about it since the day they crawled into her bed, Marietta holding her as she cried.

Though the Queen’s warning should have alarmed Marietta, she mostly found it curious.

Valeriya knew the Chorys Dasians, knew Brynden’s actual name, but why?

Perhaps they were also working with Exisotis.

Marietta wanted to ask Elyse questions about Brynden and Sylas—to figure out if they were a part of the group—but didn’t want to upset her. In due time, she would.

The documents she took from Keyain’s desk still sat in her wardrobe, waiting to be handed to Queen Valeriya. Much to her dismay, Keyain kept his desk locked, Marietta never catching him off guard again. The information she had to give to the Queen was helpful, but it didn’t feel enough.

A few days ago, Valeriya had sent a book to Marietta.

Highlighted inside were the words ‘The revelers meet’ on one page, followed by ‘just after midnight’ on another.

A clever system, considering Keyain would likely have the servants bring him any notes sent to Marietta.

An irritating thought. At least she would meet with Valeriya tomorrow evening, though she barely gathered anything.

What Marietta wished to do was eavesdrop on Keyain’s meetings.

It would be hard since he kept his distance.

Perhaps that would be a suitable cover. She gave Amryth a saccharine smile.

“What do you want?” Amryth said without looking up.

“Are you up for a walk?

“Of course, but what plan are you hatching?”

“No plan, just a simple walk,” Marietta said, toying with a lock.

“Bullshit. What are you scheming?”

Marietta smiled. “Do you remember where Keyain has his meetings?”

“Why?”

“I haven’t seen him in a week.”

Amryth raised a single brow, giving a leveling stare.

“What? I haven’t.”

“Why do you want to walk by Keyain’s meeting?” Amryth said, snapping her book shut.

“Well, the King mentioned the Exisotis making a move but—”

“You want to overhear what they’re saying.”

“Yes,” she said, sitting up. Not false, she wanted to know what was happening in that regard, but she also wanted more information for the Queen.

“I’m sure Coryn and Deania will have an update when we go to the temple.”

“Or, how about,” Marietta said, getting up with a stretch, “we happen to walk by their meeting and I happen to hear something about my home city-state.”

Amryth sighed as she stood. “This is a stupid idea. Keyain’s already upset with you.”

Marietta flashed a grin, shrugging. “Then what’s one more thing?”

“This is a stupid idea,” Amryth repeated beside Marietta. At the front of the palace, in the same section as the entrance, they were on the top floor, looking out to the Central Garden. Noblemen walked about the halls, some exchanging notes, others speaking in hushed tones.

“What? We’re just taking a walk,” Marietta said, offering a sweet smile to two elven men who stared at them. They nodded and went back to their papers.

“I’m not sure which meeting room he’s in, let alone what meeting.”

“He’s a warmonger in a war—what else would they meet about?”

“He’s also on the King’s Council of Ministers and attends meetings related to those duties.” Amryth sighed again. “I should stop letting you talk me into bad ideas.”

“But then your life would be boring.”

“Or calm.”

“Exactly, boring.” Marietta glanced around the corner, finding a few uniformed guards. “Perhaps they know?”

Amryth swore. “They would, considering they’re all captains and part of the Elite Guard.”

“Like you are.”

“Like I was. Keyain and I agreed it’d be best if I transitioned to a different role a few weeks ago, since we spend so much time together.”

Marietta jerked her head towards her. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“Didn’t seem important.”

“I don’t want to affect your career, Amryth.”

She batted away the words. “It was my idea to switch. I couldn’t stand listening to them,” she nodded her head at the soldiers, “gush about how great of a male Keyain is. I’ve seen the truth.”

Marietta placed a hand on Amryth’s arm. “I’m glad you have.”

“Same.” She sighed and rolled her shoulders. “Wait here. I’ll say you have an urgent message for Keyain, so prepare some doting response. I’m sure they’re expecting it.”

Amryth approached a stocky, dark-skinned elven man.

Her heart sank when she recognized the other two guards standing with him.

One had ash blonde hair pulled into a tail and a sneer on her face—Adalyn, the guard from the Ertwymer Sculpture Gardens who witnessed the King nearly kissing her.

The other was Ryder, the guard at the Snapdragon, who Adalyn told about the kissing incident.

Great, just great. The deities had damned her with such luck.

All three guards turned their attention to Marietta, who tried to appear as demure as possible with her hands clasped behind her back, head cast down as she looked through her lashes.

Adalyn would know, however, that she was less than the doting wife she attempted to play.

Amryth turned with a dour face and waved Marietta over. Marietta kept up the innocent act as she approached, the three guards glaring at her.

“Lady Marietta,” the dark-skinned elven man said with a bow, his bald head catching the light. “It’s been a while.”

“Apologies, I don’t think we’ve met.” Unless they met while Keyain still kept her drugged.

“Oh, we have. I wouldn’t forget the first time I met you back in Rotamu.” He smiled, his mouth wide. “Back then, you were just his partner, not his secret half-elven bride.”

The gods must have been toying with her. Marietta’s smile fell as she remembered the first time Keyain left for six months, meeting his friends for drinks at a tavern. The bastard had referred to her as a clip.

“Peryn, that was a long time ago. What happened to the woman you traveled with, Rynka?” Marietta glanced in the hallway, hoping not to see the ill-tempered woman.

“She quit as soon as we returned to Satiros.” Peryn gave her a leveling stare, his implication clear. Keyain had crossed a line. “I see you’re still a half-elf.”

“And what else would I be?”

“Well, you’re definitely not good enough for Keyain,” Adalyn said, looking over Marietta from head to toe with her arms crossed against her chest.

Marietta clenched her fists, checking her anger. She needed to persevere, get the information she needed, and she’d never see these people again.

“I don’t know,” Ryder said, running a hand through his auburn hair. He leaned to the side, glancing behind Marietta. “Her ass is as amazing as Keyain said.”

With blinding anger, she was ready to snap as he burst out laughing. Amryth beat her to a response. “Marietta is a lady of this court, and you three will treat her as such. Understood?”

Ryder laughed again, grinning. “That was pretty tame compared to what I usually say about the noble ladies. Like that Lady Elyse—if I could get her to ride me like she did that Chorys Dasian—”

“Say that again,” Marietta said, taking a step towards him, squaring her shoulders.

He laughed again, eyes shining. “Keyain said it was easy to get you riled. He also said you could scrap in a fight, so come at me, Marietta.” He took a step forward, flashing a smirk. “I’d love to pin you down. You don’t mind when other males have a go, right? Or is that just the King?”

“Enough, Ryder!” Amryth snapped, but he still approached Marietta.

Marietta stood her ground, her face softening in a sweet smile. “Perhaps the big, great Keyain isn’t as big or as great as he would have you believe. Tilan, on the other hand—”

“Enough,” Peryn said that time.

It was an order, but Marietta didn’t answer to him. “Keyain had his reasons to be jealous, but really there was only one main reason.”

“Enough, Lady Marietta,” he said again, jaw grinding.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t talk about the size of Tilan’s cock in front of the people who murdered him. Was it one of you who did it? Part of the little mission to save me from Olkia?”

“Marietta,” Amryth said, warning in her tone.

“What, they can’t handle the truth about Keyain? How about how Keyain enjoyed my presence more when I wished to die than when I was healthy? He’d rather keep me confined and suffocating than speak up for myself.”

“Enough!” Peryn yelled, taking Marietta by the arm. “I suggest you learn to stay quiet about sensitive information, especially regarding your rescue, Lady Marietta.” He let go and adjusting his leather armor. “Now, why do you wish to see Keyain during his meeting?”

Marietta glared at Peryn. “I need to talk to him.”

“You couldn’t do that in your suite?”

“He’s been avoiding me for a week.”

“I would too if I found you kissing the King,” Adalyn said with a glower.

Peryn held up his hand to Adalyn, not sparing her a glance. “Well, is it important?”

“Yes.”