Page 76 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Chapter Forty-Nine

Elyse

E lyse approached Keyain’s suite, stomach aching with apprehension. Just because Marietta said she would accompany Elyse to the library that afternoon didn’t mean she wanted to go. Perhaps Keyain guilted his wife into it.

Two guards stood outside his door, surprising Elyse. That was new. The male on the left nodded to her in greeting. Elyse remembered meeting him once with Keyain. She returned with a tight smile as nerves knotted her stomach, and she knocked on the door.

A moment later, Marietta answered, her round face lit with excitement and black curls loose around her head. “Thank gods,” she said, stepping out of the suite. “I’ve been dying to get out of there. Amryth—the guard who’s usually with me—was on an assignment this week, so you’re a blessing.”

Elyse blinked, taken aback by her excited chatter and lack of greeting. “Oh, of course, Lady Marietta.”

“Just Marietta. Titles grow tedious after a while.” She looked up at Elyse. “Shall we, my savior?” Marietta looped her arm through hers and started down the hall.

A surprising laugh escaped Elyse’s mouth. How was Marietta this okay in her presence? How was this not awkward for her?

They descended to the first floor of the Noble’s Section, heading towards the Central Garden. “You would think Keyain would at least come and walk me —” she emphasized the words with her hands “—when Amryth’s busy. Being trapped in that room is dreadful. Would not recommend.”

“Recommendation noted.” The nerves knotting Elyse’s stomach loosened, Marietta putting her at ease. “I’m glad I called on you when I did. Keyain mentioned you’re alone here in court, like me.”

“Alone is one way to put it. Others might say an anomaly. Many of the courtiers aren’t eager to befriend the first half-elven lady.”

“Trust me. You’re better off without them.” Elyse bit her tongue, not sure why she felt the need to say such a thing.

“Is that so? Please elaborate because that would be the first bit of useful information I have received about this gods damned court.”

“Well, they’re all liars; they live for gossip.”

“Unsurprising,” Marietta muttered.

Elyse glanced at the scowl on her face. She couldn’t help but smile. “None of them are worth your time. Once you’re in the Queen’s Court, you no longer fit in with them.”

Marietta’s head snapped to Elyse, eyes roaming her face. “That’s what happened to you. You don’t get along with them anymore.”

Stunned silence held Elyse at how quick she could read that from her. “Uh, no. I choose not to interact with them.”

Marietta nodded her head. “And you also don’t get along with them. Perhaps one day you’ll share why that is.” She gave a pensive look, playing with a lock of her hair. “Between you and me, those who consider me less because I’m a half-elf don’t deserve my time.”

A smile spread across Elyse’s face as they stepped into the sunshine, the summer’s heat hitting her like a wall. Marietta tipped her face toward the sun, grinning.

Across the courtyard, groups of courtiers lounged near the fountain in the building’s shade.

All too aware of their pressing stares, Elyse led them to the garden path that cut to the library.

She halted at the sight of Sylas, who stood before the path’s entrance in deep conversation with two females who stole glances in their direction.

Gods, of course, they were standing right there, and of course, she and Marietta drew their attention. “Let’s go this way,” Elyse said, pulling Marietta away towards the farther path.

“We can just ask them to move if that’s what you’re avoiding.”

“I’d rather not talk to them right now.”

Marietta studied her face, then whipped her head back to the group. “Well, it looks like the man is heading right for us, anyway.”

“Oh, my gods… I don’t need any more rumors.”

“What do you mean?” Marietta asked as Elyse half dragged her into the gardens, quickening her pace.

“He’s from Chorys Dasi and is friends with Brynden.”

“Who’s Brynden?”

Elyse slowed to look at Marietta. “You really don’t hear any of the court gossip, do you? Not even from Keyain?”

A dark expression crossed Marietta’s face. “Keyain only tells me what’s convenient for him. But please, tell me about this Brynden.”

“Yes, Elyse,” drawled Sylas. “What do you have to say about Brynden?”

With her heart racing and mood plummeting, Elyse spun around to dismiss Sylas with a scowl, but Marietta already threw him an icy expression. “And who might you be?” she asked.

With his own scowl, he raised a brow. “Lord Sylas Tygenbrook, Emissary to Chorys Dasi, errand boy to Lord Brynden.”

Marietta observed Sylas from head to toe, pausing on his face with a smirk. “A pleasure to meet you, Lord Sylas,” she said as she stuck out her hand. “I’m Lady Marietta Vallynte, a curious friend of Elyse.”

Sylas hesitated, then took Marietta’s hand.

“Tell me, errand boy of Lord Brynden ,” she said, crossing her arms, “why you wish to start rumors by hounding us on our walk?”

Elyse’s mouth went dry. She had no intention of telling him that.

“Is that why you keep running from me, Elyse?” Sylas asked, pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “Even though Brynden wrote you another letter?”

Marietta’s stare cut through Elyse as she stared wide-eyed at Sylas. “I just… you were talking… and after Brynden…” Gods, why couldn’t she talk? Elyse’s throat tightened as she struggled with her words.

“I seem to be missing some details,” Marietta said, dragging her gaze to Sylas. “Elyse believes that you chasing after her in a public manner will start rumors, and you are a friend of this Brynden who apparently wrote her a letter.”

Marietta narrowed her eyes and glanced at Elyse. “Ah, perhaps a love letter. From the look on your face, something bad happened between you and this Brynden. Or his love goes unrequited? And by Sylas hunting you down, you think the courtiers will start rumors about you and Brynden?”

Elyse furrowed her brows under Marietta’s intense gaze. Gods, she was so close, except…

“No,” she said excitedly. “You’re anxious that they’ll start rumors about you and Sylas! Rumors about another Chorys Dasian who’s interested in you.”

Heat crept across Elyse’s cheeks, marveling at Marietta’s deduction. “Yes,” she whispered, avoiding Sylas’ gaze.

“That’s what you’re worried about?” Sylas said, attempting to step into her line of sight.

“Yes, Sylas!” Elyse snapped, turning to him. “I know how this court thinks. If you’re chasing after me or they saw us together, they’ll think I’m just trying to get another husband.”

“Funny, because I just left that conversation saying I need to deliver a letter on behalf of Brynden to you,” he said, thrusting the paper to her. “I’m not trying to embarrass you.”

Shame pitted her stomach, realizing that Sylas would do his best to deflect such rumors. Elyse grabbed the paper. “Thanks, you can go now.”

“Brynden asked that I watch your reaction as you read so I can share it with him later,” he said with a laugh. “And to answer any questions you may have.”

“Gods,” Marietta murmured, the smirk coming back to her face. “This Brynden is pining after you, Elyse.”

“I would hope so, considering she accepted his hand in marriage,” Sylas said dryly.

“Oh?” Marietta gave her a grin.

“Not oh. I ended the betrothal.” Elyse avoided their stares by glaring at the paper in her hands.

“And yet he still sends you love letters,” she said, glancing at Sylas.

“I’d like to return to my conversation with those two ladies if you would please just read the letter.” Sylas looked over his shoulder with a sigh.

With a glance towards Marietta’s eager face, Elyse unfolded the paper.

Hope is a blessing from my goddess’s lips, her hands offering me the sweetest gift. I am once again finding myself unworthy.

You have heard my prayers, my calls to you desperate and pleading, wishing to be deemed worthy of your presence. Though you speak in images and single-word meanings, your voice permeates through it all. Oh, how I long to beg on my knees to you, my honey-eyed goddess.

I would give you my hands in prayer to have your divine honey coating my fingers.

I would sing your praises on my lips to taste your juiciest peach drip on my tongue.

I would give my body in sacrifice to feel your sweetest cream spill from your divine being.

I long for you, my goddess, my heart aching every day to supplicate at your temple.

Each night I pray anew with guided hands, begging for the goddess’s relief. To be in your presence would be to give in to my every need. A kiss from your lips would be enough to break me. A touch of your hand would be enough to own me. A shudder from your body would be enough to claim me.

Though only the fates know what tomorrow holds, I hope for a future where I pray daily to you, my goddess.

This is my promise.

Elyse didn’t breathe—no, she couldn’t. Heat flooded her face as she clutched the letter to her pounding chest. He didn’t mean….

Marietta snorted, bent over with laughter. “You must let me read it after that reaction! What did that man write to you?”

Elyse’s wide eyes turned from Marietta to Sylas, whose scowl disappeared, a broad smile lighting his face. “Please tell me you didn’t read this,” she whispered.

“Unfortunately, I read every word, though it was worth it for your reaction.” Sylas rubbed his chin as he laughed. “As I said, he’s obsessed with you and going crazy in that townhouse.”

Elyse read it once more, only making it halfway before clenching her eyes shut. “Oh, my gods.”

“Brynden also wanted me to ask if you understood it all. Do you know what your divine honey is?”

Marietta’s hand struck out, grabbing Elyse’s arm with a grin on her face. “My gods, Elyse. Hand it over, please .”

Elyse hesitated but gave it to her. “I figured out what he meant, Sylas,” she snapped, wrapping her arms around her middle.

“What about your juiciest peach or your sweetest cream ?”

“Oh, my gods…. will you please stop?” she pleaded.

Marietta laughed again, her eyes scanning the page. “Elyse, you are such a lucky lady. This Brynden is beyond pining for you.”

The smile died on Sylas’ face. “He’s obsessed, at least for today.”

Marietta looked up from the paper, catching Sylas’ gaze. A silent conversation passed between them, Marietta nodding her head. “I see. Well, having someone write such smutty things to you is quite fun, is it not?” she said, elbowing Elyse.

“I don’t want to talk about this,” she said, taking the letter back from Marietta and placing it folded in her pocket. “Come by the library in a few days, Sylas. I don’t want to keep drawing attention to us.”

“Noted,” he said, frowning. “I’ll see you in a few days. Lady Marietta, it was wonderful meeting you like this.” With a slight flick of his brow, he turned on his heels and left the ladies on the path.

A giggle escaped Marietta. “Does the goddess wish to continue to the library? I would love to hear every detail about this Brynden whose heart you possess.”

With a groan, Elyse looped her arm back through Marietta’s. “Please don’t tease me about this. Things didn’t end well.”

“No more teasing, I promise. But if you’d like someone to talk to about what happened, I’m all ears,” Marietta said with a genuine smile.

Elyse stared at her moment, debating on what to say.

Would she treat her like Grytaine and hold this over her head?

Or was it, as Keyain said, Marietta needed a friend just as she did?

If Keyain loved Marietta, then she must have been a good person.

She was already unlike anyone else at court or anyone else she has met.

The anxiety in her stomach remained at ease as Elyse took a breath and started recounting what happened with Brynden as they continued to the library.