Page 77 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)
Chapter Fifty
Marietta
T o fall in love again would be devastating.
The uncertainty and yearning that accompanied courtship were exhausting, and Marietta saw its toll on Elyse.
Even with such a brief history between her and the pining Lord Brynden, a relationship that blossomed and decayed in a matter of weeks, it weighed heavily on Elyse’s mind.
Marietta understood the hurt of her loss of it.
Though Elyse was an adult, she had experienced little.
Perhaps losing Brynden stuck in her mind for that reason.
As they combed their way through the library shelves, Marietta distracted Elyse from her anxiety. With a clear head, Elyse could share what happened with the unfortunate betrothal—a far cry from the lady she met at tea so long ago.
Sylas played a steadying role for Elyse as well.
From what Marietta gleaned, Brynden was a person to love too quickly, too brightly, only to let it fade to nothing.
He’s obsessed, at least for now. His words were clear, his expression saying what his mouth did not.
If she were to marry Brynden, he would grow bored and turn into a wayward husband.
How curious that, as Brynden’s friend, he felt the need to warn Elyse.
“If you go to Chorys Dasi with Brynden,” Marietta said as she pulled a book from a shelf, looking over her shoulder to Elyse, “keep Sylas close.”
Elyse shot her a nervous glance. “Why?”
“Because he cares about you, or at least cares about what happens to you. I think you’ll find safety in him.”
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Perhaps, but Sylas has the worst attitude. I’m not sure he likes me all that much.”
“You’d be surprised,” Marietta said. “He wouldn’t warn you about Brynden if he didn’t.”
“Or he’s saving himself from a headache later. I believe Sylas said he’d be the one picking up the pieces if Brynden grew bored.”
Marietta nodded her head, turning back to the shelf. She had surmised as much, considering he introduced himself as Brynden’s errand boy, a hilarious but damning title. “Regardless, even if he feels some obligation to help you, at least someone there will have your best interests at heart.”
Elyse leaned against the bookcase, staring at the titles. “Though part of me wants to be with him, I’m thankful it’s over. Brynden is fun, but I know little about him.”
Her words sounded hollow. Elyse could keep telling herself that, yet she didn’t see her expression when she talked about him.
She still wished to be with him. “Nothing wrong with enjoying his attention, though. Too bad they banned him from the palace. I’m dying to hear what he’s like in bed,” Marietta said, smirking.
“Oh, my gods.”
“There’s nothing inappropriate with being sexual. I wonder if Brynden is all talk or if his actions live up to the beautifully filthy words he wrote for you.”
Elyse hesitated, a smile coming to her lips. “We almost did something. Well, technically we did something.” Redness covered her cheeks as she spoke, averting her gaze from Marietta.
“Oh? Is that so? Please give me those details.”
“After he asked for my hand, he—well, he gave me his hand, if you will.”
Marietta’s smile grew wider, a laugh bursting from her, watching Elyse turn to a glowing red. “So he already experienced the goddess’ divine honey coating his fingers. How delightful,” she said with a smirk.
“And he went to use his mouth—”
“Yes? To taste the juiciest peach—”
“But then Sylas barged in, so… that was all. And the most I’ve ever experienced.”
Gods, by her age, Marietta already had a few partners. “The gods are cruel, to give you enough to want, and then rip it away. Maybe if you had chaperones, you could see him again, even if you don’t get time alone. I’ll talk to Keyain to see if us four can go out into the city together.”
A bemused grin came to her face. “Do you think he’d agree?”
“I’m sure I can convince him,” she said, pulling out a book, inspecting the inside cover. “Plus, I’d love to meet Brynden. Can you imagine him saying such filthy things in front of Keyain? Oh, it’d be so funny.”
Elyse snorted, reaching for a book. “I don’t think he could handle it. He once caught me reading this book,” she said, handing it to Marietta. “Known for its… sexier scenes, if you will. Which, of course, I didn’t know when I brought it to read in front of Keyain.”
Marietta’s smile grew as she laughed, flipping through the pages. “I can only imagine how that went.”
“Oh, he was flustered when he had to explain to me to keep it hidden from other people when I walked with it,” Elyse said, laughing. “That was the first and last time I brought a smutty book to read in front of him.”
Marietta snapped the book shut, tucking it under her arm. “Imagine his surprise when I return to the suite with it then,” she said, walking down the row of books. “Do you think he’d be more horrified if I read him lines from this book or Brynden’s letter?”
“Brynden’s letter, without a doubt in my mind.”
The two giggled as they decided which lines would make Keyain the most uncomfortable.
Laughter echoed through the shelves, carrying deeper into the library, with tears coming to Marietta’s eyes.
She hadn’t laughed like that since… since she last saw Tristina.
Her friend who was the first to turn any event into a party.
As she watched Elyse, she couldn’t help her heart aching for her.
Perhaps with the young lady, she had found another friend in Satiros.
Where Amryth was all seriousness, Elyse was easiness despite her anxious tendencies.
Her friends. The thought warmed Marietta through the center, the edge of loneliness creeping away.
“How curious,” King Wyltam’s voice drawled from behind. “I was unaware you two had found camaraderie.”
The ladies spun to face the King. “King Wyltam,” Elyse said with a curtsy. “Marietta was kind enough to join me this afternoon for a break from… scribing.”
Scribing? Why would a lady be scribing?
The movement was subtle, but Marietta watched the King’s brows twitch, the only emotional hint he offered. “Of course, Elyse. I hate to cut your time short, but I wish to speak to Marietta alone.”
Elyse stiffened, clearly uncomfortable with the dismissal. “Of course, Your Grace.” She offered a quick curtsy to the King, taking off down the aisle, offering a worrisome glance over her shoulder at Marietta. Even with her usual anxious demeanor, the reaction was odd.
King Wyltam stood before her with his expressionless mask and cold eyes, his gaze lingering. In all black clothing, he fit into the warm glow and somber colors of the library. “Marietta, I hope you remembered our deal.”
“How could I forget?” She threw him a sharp smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“It’s not every day the King who attacked my home offers me a deal.
” Stupid, bold words; she should have kept her mouth shut.
The King may have given her the opportunity to hurt Keyain, but she didn’t need to be polite to him.
Warmth came to his eyes as laughter broke through his cold facade, like ice cracking over a lake—sudden and jarring yet still fascinating. “I see you’re feeling hostile today. Perhaps you can hold your tongue and join me for a walk.”
“Perhaps I can, King Wyltam.” Marietta gave him a tight smile.
“Here,” he said, holding out his arm, “let me hold your book.”
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.” Marietta dismissed him, tucking it under her arm and the other wrapped around his bicep.
“Humble me,” he said. “Though I’m the King, I can still be courteous.”
Courteous, sure, but did he know the reputation of this title like Keyain had?
It would be wise to hold the book herself, shield the title, in case the sexier scenes gave the book notoriety; yet, with the King unyielding with his held-out handle, she did, in fact, humble him by placing the book in his hand.
King Wyltam tucked it under one arm as Marietta took the other. If he recognized the name or its contents, he didn’t comment. Thank the gods.
“You two were making quite a bit of noise with your laughter.” King Wyltam inspected Marietta’s face, a hint of curiosity dancing behind his eyes.
“Apologies. We didn’t mean to cause a commotion.” If Marietta meant to, they would have been louder.
“No apology needed. I’m just pleased that you could make a friend in court.”
Marietta suppressed an eye roll. It was almost as if the court avoided interacting with Marietta, preferring to gawk from afar. “And I’m just glad you only made Elyse a touch nervous by being alone with me. Do you make everyone in your court as nervous or just the young ladies?”
The reaction was subtle, controlled. The slight pursing of his lips. A flick of his brow. Even his body seemed to still. “Whatever you are insinuating, I would advise against it.” His gaze faltered, looking towards the end of the aisle instead of at Marietta.
They wound their way out of the library, Marietta watching the King’s face, willing for more emotion to break through. A glimpse of anything but the icy mask. “Of course, but why would her demeanor change so drastically when you appeared?”
Marietta almost missed the guttering of his eyes as he stared ahead. Was he trying to hide his emotions, or did showing emotions make him uncomfortable?
Gods, it was both.
“I had hoped Elyse would be less nervous around me by now.” He paused, considering his words before his stare slid back to her. “Being the King is a powerful position that often leaves people holding their tongue.”
Marietta rolled her eyes. “Your position has never caused me to hold my tongue.”
King Wyltam held the door for her as they stepped outside. The slight glint in his eye returned with a smirk. “No, it hasn’t. Such petulance surprises me. Never would I have thought Keyain would marry someone like you.”
“And never would I have thought I’d marry Keyain.”