Page 46 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Black clawfoot couches and chairs centered the room, surrounding a low table of similar style. Brocade curtains of crimson hung from the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the courtyard. Bookcases lined the wall, complete with leather-bound volumes and trinkets. Elyse examined some closer titles.

“How would it be a surprise if I told you?” he teased with a bemused smirk, walking past the living room, aiming for a glass-paned door.

“Give me a hint then,” she said, tearing her eyes away from the books to follow.

“It’s more of an experience than an object.”

Elyse’s eyes grew wide. He didn’t mean….“Experience, as in physical? Physical, uh, touching?”

The smirk on his face grew into a full smile as he laughed. “Someone has quite the dirty mind. Perhaps wishful thinking led you to such a conclusion?” He took her hand as she approached. “As much as I would love to physically touch you, my surprise is not that.”

Brynden leaned in, kissing her on her cheek. “But let’s join my friends for a bit, so we’re not lying to your father.”

The afternoon sun greeted them as they stepped into the courtyard, the stone tiles continuing underfoot. Rose and juniper bushes lined the outdoor space and landscape beds broke up the tiles. Beyond a simple fountain, voices and laughter carried from deeper in the courtyard.

Brynden slipped his arm around Elyse as they approached three familiar males sitting on low couches around a table beneath a shaded pergola.

Lounged on one of two couches was a male with dark skin with black curly hair, the sides faded. His angular face had a full smile sitting over a square jaw, amusement dancing in his eyes. “There you two are. We were just taking bets on whether you two join us or head upstairs.”

In one chair nestled between the two couches sat a fair-complexioned male with blond hair. As they approached, his wide-set eyes locked onto Elyse. She tried her best to avoid his invasive staring, feeling uncomfortable.

The last male sat in the other chair. Handsome, he had brown skin with a wide nose and eyes angled up to the outside. His dark hair curled loosely to his shoulders. He scowled at Brynden.

Brynden offered his hand as she sat on the cream-colored couch. “Yeah? And who’s losing coin today?” He sat beside Elyse, an arm draping on the back of her spot.

The same male answered. “Daryn and I lost. Sylas bet you’d find us first,” he said, gesturing to a male with brown skin. The scowl remained on his face. The dark-skinned male and Daryn flicked a gold coin each at Sylas.

“I can always count on Sylas for believing the best in me,” Brynden said with a mock smile, placing his hand over his heart.

“It was less what I believed you’d do and more what I’d hope you’d do.” Sylas gave a pointed look. “Gyrsh was clear that I need to keep an eye on you two.”

Brynden chuckled, his arm wrapping around her. “All Gyrsh needs to know is that I’ll treat Elyse like the goddess she is.” Sylas’s scowl deepened, causing Brynden to laugh harder.

“Unfortunately, the night of the victory ball, my alluring nature dazzled Elyse enough that she forgot your names,” Brynden said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

The dark-skinned male laughed. “I’m sure that’s a lie. You couldn’t have been lucky enough to find a female that willingly strokes your ego.”

“I am the luckiest male there is that she even considers me, let alone strokes my ego,” Brynden said, looking down at Elyse with a smile. “So, go on. Introduce yourselves.”

The dark-skinned male was the first to speak up. “Lord Oryck Ramstyn of Chorys Dasi. New Emissary for my city-state and a first timer in Satiros.”

“Lord Sylas Tygenbrook. Both Emissary to Chorys Dasi and nursemaid to Brynden.” With added flavor, Sylas rolled his eyes, causing Brynden to laugh.

“And I’m Lord Daryn Comstych, Emissary to Chorys Dasi,” said the male with pale skin, his eyes locked onto Elyse. “I have worked with your father since he started his position as Minister of Foreign Relations. He had quite wonderful things to say about you.”

Brynden waved his hand at Daryn. “All a lie. She’s anything but the obedient daughter he has made us all believe. Elyse has been reading Lyken Fulbryk.”

Elyse snapped her head to Brynden, a warning sitting on her lips. If her father found out, the consequences would be worse than after the incident.

Oryck sat up at that. “Is that so? After he made such a big deal about her being incapable of magic?”

Brynden looked down at Elyse. “Go on; tell them.”

Elyse paused, her heart racing despite the alcohol. “I just finished his book on the second principle and started the third last night.”

“So you understand the second principle—of not letting aithyr control the mage?” Sylas asked, Elyse unsure if it was mocking or curiosity.

“Sylas,” Brynden warned.

“It’s alright. I know a little about my mother, how aithyr affected her. That’s why I haven’t tried reaching out to it,” she said, staring at the table nestled in the center of the seating area.

“Which is why I wanted her to try Mage’s Eye today. To see if she could,” Brynden said.

“No, absolutely not,” Sylas glowered. “Gyrsh would have our heads if we smoked with her.”

“How about we let her decide? Elyse?”

Her wide eyes stared back at Brynden. “What’s Mage’s Eye?”

Oryck laughed, adding, “Gyrsh really does keep her sheltered.”

Heat crept across her cheeks, hating not knowing and hating being laughed at for it. As if it were her fault.

“Enough,” Brynden said with a glare at Oryck, causing the laughter to die in his throat.

He turned back to Elyse. “Mage’s Eye helps calm and focus the mind, allowing mages to better access aithyr.

Since your thoughts often overwhelm you, I thought not only could it help you with magic but also help with your nerves.

” He smiled at Elyse, a hand reaching up to her cheek.

“You left out the part where it can be addictive.” Sylas crossed his arms, his full lips a thin line.

Brynden looked over his shoulder at Sylas.

“I also left out that in Chorys Dasi, people use it to help with anxious thoughts, regardless if they are a mage or not.” He turned back to Elyse, clasping her hand.

“It is up to you if you’d like to try. We’ll have to flush the alcohol out of your system first, though. ”

From the corner of her eyes, she noticed the three males share glances. Determined to ignore them, Elyse asked, “And it won’t make me see anything weird? Or make me complicit?” The blue, milky drug her father gave her came to mind, sending a chill down her spine. That was the last thing she wanted.

Oryck scoffed with surprise. “How do you know what Choke is but not Mage’s Eye?”

“Is that what it’s called? My father makes me take it for head pains and I hate it.” She glanced at Oryck, then back to Brynden, who frowned. “So if your drug is anything like it, I don’t want it.”

Sylas swore under his breath, drawing Elyse’s gaze. He tucked strands of his hair behind an ear, the metal piercing his flesh catching the light as displeasure spread across his face. Did he ever smile?

Brynden squeezed her hand. “Mage’s Eye is nothing like it.

Choke is a serious drug meant to incapacitate and make you under someone’s influence.

Gyrsh told me about how severe your head pains get, but Choke?

” He shook his head. “Mage’s Eye will calm you.

You will remain aware of yourself and your surroundings. ”

Her entire life was within the walls of the palace, sheltered from such experiences.

She felt stunted, cheated out of her life.

Everything was predetermined, and she didn’t have freedom of choice.

But Brynden gazed down at her, giving her one.

“If you can promise that, then yes, I’d like to try it,” Elyse said with a hammering heart.

It would be the first of many new experiences if she and Brynden married.

“I promise, with my whole heart and my whole being.” Brynden kissed her before adding, “And now to flush the alcohol from your body.” He stood, offering his hand to Elyse.

“I still think this is a terrible idea,” Sylas said, picking something off his black shirt.

“You think all my ideas are terrible ideas,” Bryden responded, leading Elyse back inside. The three males chuckled as the door closed behind Elyse.

“How are you going to flush the alcohol?” Elyse asked, following Brynden down a hallway off the sitting room.

“Magic-infused medicine. It flushes toxins out in an instant. I keep some of this stuff on hand for nights I’ve drunk too much,” he said, turning to Elyse. “Makes you sober in a snap. Also, it’s good to have on hand when doing drugs.”

“And you do drugs often?” she asked with a speculative brow.

“Occasionally. When the moment is appropriate, like today,” he said, winking.

“You live quite the life.” Elyse bit her lip, a tinge of jealousy in her words.

“And you will too, if I get any say in it.” Brynden gave a broad smile as he stopped in front of a door, leaning against it. “But first, I’d like you to tell me why you’re limping.”

Despite the alcohol, her breathing picked up and her limbs went numb. “It’s nothing. I’m just clumsy and hurt my knee.”

“There’s no need to lie. I can tell it’s not your knee, nor your ankle. What did you do to your hip? Are you alright?” His brows furrowed with concern.

A practiced sweet smile curled on her lips as she placed her hand on his arm. “I’m alright. No need to worry about it. We should be quick, though. I don’t want them taking any more bets on whether we’ll come back or be upstairs.”