Page 90 of Keeper of the Word

“Are we not going to King Rian’s solar?”

“Nay, m’lady. The sovereign wishes to speak to you in a more private place.”

A more private place? Unease slipped itself around her. She halted. “Mayhap we could ask His Majesty to speak to me in hissolar. That way, I may more easily find my way back. I do not know this part of the castle.”

The chancellor tapped his fingers together. “I understand, m’lady. But I do not wish to go against the sovereign’s orders.” The others appeared as nervous as Griffith. Well, she certainly didn’t wish to cause trouble.

“Very well.”

Soon, Elanna recognized from the faded velvet walls that they were where she and Hux had been earlier. Everything became quiet as they traversed the muted corridors.

Griffith had just unlocked and was opening a door into a cold room when?—

“Chancellor Griffith,” High Commander Dirk said, as he rounded the corner from the opposite direction. He gave Elanna a glance. “King Rian awaits Lady Elanna in his solar.”

“His Majesty informed me he wanted this meeting here,” Chancellor Griffith said. “My deepest apologies, m’lady.”

One of the council members muttered something about Rian often changing his mind as of late.

“I beg you not to speak of my ineptitude, m’lady,” Chancellor Griffith said.

Elanna nodded. As they retraced their steps, she thought the curtain covering the door swayed. She longed to peek behind her but did not dare.

When they reached the doors to the Royal Solar, one of the sovereign’s other stewards—Elanna couldn’t remember his name—stood outside with Hux.

How was he already here? Mayhap he’d not been behind the curtain.

“Only Lady Elanna is to enter,” the steward said, focusing solely on Griffith.

“What?” he stammered. “His Majesty will want me present to take notes.”

“I have my orders, Your Grace.” The right corner of the steward’s mouth rose slightly as he spoke to the chancellor.

“I would listen, Your Grace.” Hux examined his nails idly. “I cannot imagine you want to disobey him.”

The council members disappeared with no retort. Griffith followed.

Elanna entered the solar and found the only light in the room gasping from the dying fire in the hearth. The curtains had been drawn. The room felt empty.

“Your Majesty?” Her fingers traced her collarbone. Since that dreadful night in Tam’s Ford, Elanna had fought her frustrations at being wary when entering a room alone. She reminded herself that Hux was outside the door; she could call for him.

Her eyes adjusted to the darkness.

Movement from behind caused Elanna to whip around, ready to scream.

The prince stood there with his hands in the air. The scream caught in her throat.

“Prince Dashiell? What are you doing?”

Dashiell’s smile dropped. “‘We haven’t much time. My father stepped out momentarily, so I slipped in here. I need your aid.”

“You have it.”

Dashiell approached the door and tilted his head to listen.

“What is it?”

He whispered, “Who stands outside?”