Page 50 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

“I didn’t lie. I just don’t know how to explain it.” Brynden took a shaky breath. “And Az is a nickname for those closest to me, and I won’t use it when conducting business.”

Unconvinced, Elyse nodded. Why would he lie? Maybe he wasn’t about the scent thing. She might have smelled like that to him, though it made little sense. And Az was a simple enough name to be a nickname for anything.

“What we need to focus on,” Sylas said as he tied up her corset with gentle hands, “is getting you two downstairs. Now. Your uncle doesn’t enjoy starting late.”

“Uncle?” Elyse turned to Sylas, the scent of amber and pine trailing from him.

“Sauntyr is his uncle and he just arrived from Chorys Dasi, here to meet with us and your father,” he said, frowning and taking a step backward.

“Elyse can’t go back to him.” Brynden strode past to look out the window. “Not tonight, not after this.”

“Then we’ll retrieve her from the palace after the meeting, for which she cannot be here. We’ll work out the details with Gyrsh after the meeting while your uncle is here.” A handkerchief appeared in Sylas’s hand, offering it to Elyse. “Here, wipe your face.”

She nodded, thankful for the gesture. “Do you think I can actually come back here? My father won’t allow it.”

A slight smile came to Brynden’s lips. “I have a way around it. A way that will force him to agree. When we head downstairs, don’t acknowledge your father.”

“But that would be odd if I didn’t.”

“Not if I’m the one introducing you to Sauntyr,” Brynden said confidently, offering her a small bit of hope.

Elyse kept her chin high as they walked into the sitting room, a small smile on her face. She clutched onto Brynden’s arm, careful to avoid her father’s burning gaze.

A slight touch on her shoulder came from Sylas. “Relax, you’re doing fine. Brynden and I are here to help. You’re not alone,” he whispered.

Thankful for his encouragement, she offered him a smile and mouthed a thank you. From over his shoulder, Oryck had a bemused look on his face, as if he knew he had missed something yet again and was hoping to see the drama unfold.

“Ready?” Brynden murmured, guiding her through the small group of strangers.

“Yes,” was all she managed. Every nerve in her body was aware of her father’s glare, Brynden striding right past him to his uncle.

“Ah, there you are,” said an older male, traces of gray trailing through rough, tied-back hair. Though he addressed Brynden, his intense stare was on Elyse. Thin scars crossed over the top of his nose, one end curling as he smiled at her.

“Uncle, glad you made it safe.” Brynden clasped his hand, keeping one arm around Elyse. “May I introduce you to Elyse?”

As Brynden instructed when they journeyed downstairs, Elyse took the male’s hand and tilted her head down. “Lady Elyse Norymial. A pleasure to meet you.”

His eyes darted to Elyse’s father, then to Brynden, before falling back on her. “Elyse, I have heard of you. I’m Lord Sauntyr Vazlyte. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” He turned his attention back to Brynden. “She isn’t staying for the meeting, is she?”

“No, uncle,” Brynden said. “I’m about to send her home. But I’d like you to meet my betrothed before she left.”

Surprise flickered across Sauntyr’s face, eyes glancing again to where her father stood.

“I was unaware of such a union.” The male grabbed her hand, pressing a slow kiss into the back of it.

When he rose, a slight smile lined his lips and he gave a subtle nod to Brynden.

“May I be the first to welcome you to our family.”

“Thank you, Sauntyr,” she said, trying to shake the nervousness from her voice.

Brynden squeezed Elyse’s arm, kissing her cheek as they left his uncle. With long, quick strides, he led her to the entryway and down the front steps to where a carriage waited. “You were perfect, absolutely perfect.”

“Well, it angered my father. I could feel him watching us,” she said, fidgeting with her cuffs.

“But it’s done. My uncle gave his blessing for us to marry, which is what I was hoping would happen.”

“So I can come back with you tonight? Here?” Elyse’s eyes widened with hope. She wouldn’t survive with her father after what happened tonight.

“Yes,” he said, pulling her close. “I’ll come to get you when I can, and we’ll give you a separate room, of course. Wouldn’t want to start too many rumors. Though perhaps I’ll wander my way there to finish what we started earlier.”

Elyse shook her head. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She hesitated before adding, “Thank you.”

“For what, my goddess?” His thumb stroked the back of her hand as they stood there clasped together.

“For not only giving me hope but following through on it. To think—” her words choked. “Thank you,” she whispered into his chest as she leaned into him.

“Thank you for surviving this long, for giving me this chance to be with you,” he murmured into her hair.

And she felt Brynden meant it, that he truly was thankful she was alive and there with him. The pain and torment she experienced were contrasted by the brightness her future offered. Elyse could be a mage, wife to a male who adored her, and free from Satiros.

As Brynden gave her one last kiss, closing the carriage door, she saw her father in the townhouse’s doorway. Thankful didn’t describe how she felt towards Brynden when she saw her father’s expression, the pure malice swallowing his features. Elyse had only seen that expression once before.

The day her mother died.