Page 64 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)
Chapter Forty
Marietta
T he sun came out the following morning; the weather matched her new optimism. A note waited for her at the table, an invitation to join the Queen for tea at noon. Of course, she likely heard of Marietta missing the day prior. She should have expected such a request.
Marietta took her time with breakfast, savoring the taste of the fresh figs with her yogurt.
Though she couldn’t eat much, her stomach filling up fast after a month of poor eating, each bite kept the smile on her face.
Likewise, she spent the morning getting ready, soaking in the tub until her fingers pruned.
She even allowed the handmaids to help, appreciating their quiet enthusiasm towards Marietta’s change.
Peace nestled into her core, her head remaining free of racing thoughts and negative attitudes.
Things were about to change for her; she could feel it.
In the late morning, Marietta lounged on the high-back chairs in the living room, half reading, half staring out to the Central Garden. A knock at the door tore her from her thoughts as Amryth entered the suite.
“Look at you,” she said with a crooked smile. In the peaceful atmosphere of the suite, her leather armor and sword at her hip were almost jarring.
“A bit of an improvement from a nightgown,” Marietta said. “Figured if the Queen wants to see me for tea, then perhaps I might wear something less revealing.”
Amryth snorted, taking the chair across from her. “With the court styles, I’m not sure if it is less revealing.”
Marietta glanced at the low neckline of her dress and laughed with her. It was a bit excessive, but the dove gray fabric was soft against her skin and the embroidered leaves and white flowers along the straps looked pretty. At least the Satiroans had good taste in clothing.
“What brings you here so early?” Marietta asked, setting her book on the table between them.
“To make sure nothing went wrong after Keyain brought you back last night.” Her expression said more than her words, with worried brows and a grimace tugging at her lips.
“You haven’t seen that side of Keyain before, have you?”
“No,” Amryth said, staring out into the garden. “I’ve known him my entire life. Keyain is stoic, quiet; always the collected, fearless leader. Easy to smile, yet always a big deal if someone can get him to crack a laugh.”
“He was like that when we first met.” Marietta gave a weak smile at the memories. “A hard-ass, too good to dance and let loose.”
“Did he ever let loose?”
“With the right mix of alcohol, he did,” Marietta said, her smile slashing into a smirk. “Once, I got him to dance on the tables with me at a tavern in Avato. He was so embarrassed the next day.”
“Quite the difference to how he is in Satiros.”
“Yeah,” Marietta said, nodding her head, her smile fading. Keyain was nothing like himself in those days.
“His actions and words were inexcusable last night,” Amryth added, drawing back Marietta’s attention. “It doesn’t matter that you’re his wife, or that you left without him knowing—he let you waste away and his behavior was highly inappropriate.”
“Can you say that about your superior?”
Amryth laughed darkly. “Can I respect him as my superior when he threatens temple attendants? When he drags you through the city, not bothering to hide his anger after letting you deteriorate?”
“I guess not. That temper was part of why I left him.”
Amryth reached out to hold Marietta’s hands, her expression growing serious. “Do you feel safe with him?”
“Keyain would never lay a hand on me.” Marietta avoided Amryth’s gaze.
“Sure, but there are other ways he can hurt you. I already know you’re not here by choice, so your position is at his whim. Does he yell at you in private like he did last night?”
“Only once since I’ve been in Satiros. But I yelled, too, fought back against him.”
Amryth shook her head, her frown deepening. “You yelling doesn’t put it on equal footing. He has all the power in this situation. I fear for you. And not just me—Deania and Coryn from the temple agree.”
“Coryn?”
“The half-elf who held Keyain back last night. He and Deania were the attendants that helped me when I first visited,” Amryth said, squeezing her hand. “They also expressed that if you are ever in danger, the temple of Therypon will intercede on your behalf.”
“Gods, I’m not in that much danger.”
“There’s never been a half-elf at court, Marietta. Many aren’t happy about it—about you. Keyain protects you from the brunt of it.” Amryth paused, her face pensive. “If things get worse again, please come to me. I can help you—Coryn and Deania can help you. You’re not alone.”
The swell of emotion caught in Marietta’s throat, not realizing how much she needed to hear someone say those words. “And if Keyain prevents the temple from helping again?”
“Then he’ll be breaking the law. Deania and Coryn know you wish to return, so they’ll know when to come knocking.
” She hesitated, uncertainty flashing across her features.
“I hope it never comes to this, but the temple can also claim you under their protection if your position turns dangerous again. It can be a messy situation, but we’re here if you need it. ”
Marietta choked on her words, and tears blotting her vision. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” Amryth said, squeezing her hands.
“Would you join me on a walk before my tea time with the Queen?”
A smile broke across Amryth’s face. “I would love to.”
Marietta savored the sun’s warmth on her skin as she walked with Amryth through the Central Garden. Never again would she go so long without that sensation, a promise she made to herself.
As the time inched closer to noon, Amryth led Marietta back towards the Royal’s Wing, leading her past the stairs that she took to the balcony where she usually met the Queen for tea.
The invite said to meet in The Queen’s Garden, which was at the center of the Royal’s Wing.
A bright hallway next to the stairs ran to a glass-paned door flanked by guards.
Amryth gave her a quick hug before taking off for her shift.
Alone, Marietta pushed open the door to find a small courtyard.
Lavender lined the sandstone tiles, its pattern spiraling towards the center to a towering fountain carved into the shape of an oak tree.
Water trickled down from the boughs, sounding like rain, and when the sunlight caught the droplets, they shined like gems.
Wisteria hung from a trellis that overhung a path on the far side of the courtyard.
Marietta followed it, hearing the screaming giggles of a child coming from beyond.
It led to a large grassy area surrounded by dense trees and plants.
The small black-haired child from before ran in the grass, the nursemaid chasing him.
“Marietta, I’m pleased you could come.” The Queen sat in a cushioned chair resting below a gauzy white umbrella, casting her in the shade.
“I hope you don’t mind Prince Mycaub playing while we talk.
I reserve this time for him, yet I heard you were feeling better…
.” Her voice trailed off as Marietta approached.
A frown came to her face as she took in Marietta’s thin frame.
Marietta noted the tight navy dress she wore with a high neck and long sleeves, unusual for hot weather. “Thank you for inviting me, Queen Valeriya.” She curtsied before taking a seat.
“It’s been quite some time since our last meeting.
I grew worried when you turned down my requests for tea.
Keyain waited to share you were sick until I found out from other sources.
” The Queen stared at Marietta, her expression insinuating she understood what made her ill.
Her voice faded to a whisper as she frowned. “Look at you, so thin.”
“It was a rough time,” Marietta said, confused by her concern, “but I’ll be alright, my Queen. How have you been?”
Queen Valeriya looked at her son off in the distance, his high-pitched squeals of laughter breaking their silence. Her fingers drummed on the arms of the chair. “Marietta, do you know where I am from?” Her gaze followed the toddler as he ran through the grass.
She had never thought of where she came from, even after she admitted she didn’t like the King. “I assumed you were from one of the city-states of Syllogi.”
Queen Valeriya shook her head. “I was raised in Reyila, the mountainous elven queendom north of Enomenos. Much is different here than there. In Reyila, we welcome all. Human, elf, half-elf. I have even met people from the orc clans of the far south.” A small smile tugged at her lips, then dropped.
“Wyltam approached my sister, Queen Nystanya, with his proposal to marry me. After my sister had married her husband, Auryon from Chorys Dasi, she thought it’d be beneficial to tie our family to another ruling family of Syllogi.
We thought that Wyltam would see me as an equal, that I would help command at his side.
” Queen Valeriya laughed, though no humor touched her expression.
“I was na?ve in both my belief that Wyltam would see me as his equal and that I could change Satiros, to blend its citizens like Reyila. The transition to Satiros was difficult. I was in a political marriage to a stranger in a city-state I didn’t understand; the hardest part was having different views from my husband.
” She looked at Marietta, her eyes filled with sadness.
“The people of Satiros think that because elves have the longest life span that we are the dominant race. They believe pilinos exist to be subservient to elves.”