Page 124 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)
Chapter Eighty-One
Valeriya
T he sun’s warmth spread across Valeriya’s skin as she walked arm in arm with Tryda, another afternoon spent with the elven female.
She was the Lady-In-Waiting to Wyltam’s mother for two hundred years; yet Valeriya had never brought herself to trust her.
Tryda was kind, offering to guide Valeriya through the transition to Satiros, but she lacked awareness of political intrigue.
She was, however, an excellent source for court gossip.
“In other news,” Tryda said, her dark skin glistening in the sun, “have you heard about Marietta?”
Valeriya snapped her head out of thought, looking at her.
“That depends. What about her?” Did she have another incident with Wyltam?
The girl took it upon herself to further irate Keyain through Wyltam, only to make a fool of herself.
If she had told Valeriya of her plans, she could have warned her.
“The ministers found Marietta lingering outside the meeting room door while Keyain held his meeting. Royir caught her in the hall.” Tryda smirked.
Valeriya stilled the panic that wished to rise in her face. “Why would she be doing that?” she asked, feigning ignorance. Marietta was gathering information for her, and Wyltam caught the half-elf. She steadied her thoughts, not letting her mind run wild with the implications.
“That’s the interesting part—Marietta’s with child!” Tryda said with a laugh, a broad smile on her face. “She was so excited that she didn’t want to wait to tell Keyain. It was sweet. Foolish, but sweet.”
Valeriya almost laughed. There was little possibility she carried Keyain’s child.
After their last tea time together, she had done some digging.
Amryth, the guard who was often with Marietta, had been getting contraceptives from the guard’s infirmary.
Why would a female who was only attracted to females need to prevent a pregnancy?
Amryth didn’t, of course. More than likely, Marietta took those from her.
“Wow, another child at court!” Valeriya said, feigning surprise. “Just after she and Grytaine were talking about having children.”
“I know! Poor Marietta, likely already trying, and we pried into her personal ordeal.” Tryda stopped to examine a flower, bringing her nose to the bloom to smell.
Valeriya rolled her eyes at her back. Poor girl indeed, sleeping with Keyain in order for their plan to work.
The news of her pregnancy would spread, which could pose a problem.
How would the Exisotis react if they caught wind that she was pregnant with Keyain?
They’d be outraged, of course, assuming Keyain forced himself onto her.
The threat of them apprehending Marietta just became higher.
Perhaps it was time for Marietta to leave the palace as well.
Tryda stood and turned to Valeriya. “I just met Dyieter on his break before seeing you. He said that Keyain seems nervous, probably because of those nasty rumors going around; yet, when Dyieter pulled him aside, Keyain admitted that it’s all he ever wanted. Such a sweet husband.”
That would be an issue. Keyain already hovered around Marietta.
He would only grow worse now that he believed she was carrying his child.
It could still work; Valeriya could sneak her out in the passages under the palace.
That was if she would work up the nerve to message Katya.
After years of being apart, she hoped Kat still cared for her enough to help her escape Satiros, to give her a place to go.
“I’m happy to hear about his excitement,” Valeriya lied. “Do you know how Marietta is handling the news?”
Tryda continued walking down the path, her eyes taking in the scenery. “Excited, but I think she’s nervous, with obvious reasons to be. Why else would she not wait until his meetings finished?”
“Perhaps she feels more alone in this court than we realize.” Valeriya recognized the feeling.
“I should reach out to her later this week once she’s had time to digest the news.
” Tryda glanced at Valeriya, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
“I’ve seen my fair share of children grow up at this palace.
Their child and Mycaub could grow up to be as close as Keyain and King Wyltam, with less drama, of course. ”
Valeriya knew of the drama she referred to. “It would be wonderful for them to grow up as friends,” Valeriya said, smiling at the thought. “If they have a girl, she could be the future queen after me.” She bemused the thought of Mycaub and Marietta’s non-existent child.
Tryda huffed. “That’s impossible. Even if her features lean more elven, we would know she isn’t a true elf. Can you imagine a half-elf queen?” She laughed at the idea.
Valeriya forced her soft laugh. “Ridiculous. Wyltam would never allow it.”
“The citizens wouldn’t allow it. Imagine the uprising,” she said, laughing once more. “If the child is born with Marietta’s half-elven features, I wonder what fate they will find at court. Hopefully, I’ll still be around for it.”
Valeriya smiled. “I think you have many years left in you yet, Tryda.”
She and Tryda parted ways. Valeriya had to pack a few things while afternoon meetings distracted Wyltam.
She smirked. The false news probably hurt him as well.
Oddly, she pitied her husband, the male having to be so close to the person he yearned for, yet never getting what he wanted.
She imagined Wyltam sitting next to Keyain, who undoubtedly discussed his future child.
It’s all the pain he deserved. Her only regret is that she didn’t have more time to dangle it in front of him.
Later that afternoon, Valeriya sat at her desk and reread her script one more time. For the past hour, she wrote out the best way to convey her message to Katya, of how to ask for help. Now she only had to contact her, but why was it so hard?
It surprised Valeriya how simple it had been to open up to Katya once they became more than rivals.
Never one to judge, Katya understood when she should listen or when she should give advice.
She always knew what to say or do when it came to her emotions—ever a rock.
What made reaching out difficult now? Because seven years had passed.
Because there was a chance that Katya had moved on, that she no longer felt the same for Valeriya.
Seeing Katya with someone else would hurt, but she would still help Valeriya.
With a deep breath and pounding heart, she reached into the aithyr and drew the energy into her. She imagined Katya’s tan skin, the scars that marred her body, her piercing eyes, her black hair tucked behind her ear, and thought of the message she crafted.
“ Katya, I know we agreed to go our separate ways, but please realize I wouldn’t contact you unless it was necessary. Would you be willing to help me? ”
Valeriya collapsed back in her chair as the energy shot out of her body. Full sentences were difficult for her to send, but Katya would always be worth the energy.
A minute passed. And then another. Valeriya jumped out of her seat and began pacing.
Katya was probably planning what to send.
It had taken her an hour to figure out a few short sentences.
She was just thinking it over. Though, what if she wasn’t?
What if Katya worked with Nastanya and Auryon?
How likely would it be that Katya would tell Nastanya and Auryon of her plan after she laid it out for her?
No. She would never. Katya was the one hesitant about Auryon from the beginning.
If she saw Nastanya hand over power to him, then there would be little to no chance that Katya would tell them.
Well, there was the chance that Katya might not want to talk to her at all.
Perhaps she was angry that Valeriya didn’t fight to bring her to Satiros.
How could she when Katya was sworn to protect her sister?
Valeriya’s heart paused at that notion. If Katya was supposed to protect Nastanya, but Auryon took over…
no, she’s okay. Katya was alive and well.
Another few minutes passed. Valeriya bit her nails, walking the same circle in her room, refusing to assume the worst had happened—that Kat was dead.
The thought caught her breath, the sudden tears in her eyes.
She crumbled to the floor as her breaths came sharp.
She couldn’t lose them both—not her sister and Katya.
It couldn’t be true, but as the minutes passed by, her mind prepared for the worst.
Suddenly, the rough sound of Katya’s voice filled her head.
“ For you? Always .”
Valeriya cried with relief, tears streaking down her cheeks as she held her head. It would all be okay. Katya was coming, and she would finally be with her again.