Page 15 of Only in Moonlight (The Moonlit Court #1)

Valen

“ S ir Valen Corvanos, Your Majesty,” the guard announced.

I dropped to one knee and bowed.

Queen Verena dismissed the guard and directed me to join her. I rose, taking a seat on the sofa opposite her. Tea and sweets sat on a table between us, and if anyone asked, this was nothing more than a social visit for some late-night gossip.

“I apologize for my slovenly state,” I said, painfully aware of my sweaty odor. “I—”

“I know what you were doing,” she said with a sad smile. “And I thank you for it.”

Of course. If I worried about Cael as a friend, it was nothing compared to his mother’s worry.

“I… don’t believe it made much of a difference.”

“Knowing a friend cares can make a world of difference,” she replied.

The queen’s crystal blue eyes sparkled knowingly at me, not having dulled the slightest with age.

Her silvery gray hair hung loose and wavy to her waist, and she wore her wrinkles with pride and grace.

Her high-collared gown of midnight blue bore a star design that glowed magically, and countless diamonds decorated her crown.

“But we’ll speak of my son more another time,” she said. “Tell me of your progress.”

I held her gaze respectfully despite the urge to duck my head.

“It’s regrettably slow, Your Majesty. She needed more instruction on courtly manners than I anticipated.”

The queen tilted her head. “Is the etiquette here truly so different from on Earth?”

“I couldn’t say, Your Majesty. The problem is that Emmeline has no manners whatsoever.”

I should have tried harder to keep the exasperation out of my voice. The queen’s mouth twitched, and I had the feeling my sovereign was trying not to laugh at me.

“Fortunately, she learns quickly,” I said. “That phase of preparation is behind us. I’ve begun introducing her around the Court to establish our story, and we’re due to plan the actual heist tomorrow.”

I didn’t expect any problems there. Emmeline had enough experience stealing that we’d fly through the planning stage.

“And you’re still confident she’ll succeed?” the queen asked.

“She’s highly skilled and quick on her feet.”

The queen looked at me closely. “But?”

I bit back a sigh. “But she wants to go home, and I’m not sure she believes me when I say she can return with a princely payment once her task is complete.”

“So during a dangerous heist of our people’s most treasured heirloom, you’ll be depending on someone you can’t trust.”

From the first time I’d presented her with my plan, the queen hadn’t liked the idea of relying on an outsider. But the moment I’d seen Emmeline shapeshift from Lady Celestine’s form, I’d known she was the ace we needed.

“I still have time to convince her to trust me,” I said. “She’s stubborn, but I’m good at getting people to do what I want.”

Hands folded in her lap, the queen gazed thoughtfully into the distance for what felt like hours.

I steadfastly kept any signs of worry from showing.

Worst-case scenario: she ordered me to scrap the entire plan.

I couldn’t disobey my queen, but surely she could see that this was our best chance.

After all my years as her spy, it stung that she doubted me, but also…

If she called off the heist, I would have to send Emmeline home.

That shouldn’t bother me as much as it did.

My relationship with Emmeline was an act, so what did it matter if she left?

I suppose I would miss the challenge of verbally sparring with her, the quiet meals we shared, her ridiculously delighted expression when she tried a new cheese.

The chateau felt… less empty with her in it.

The building was far too big for one person.

Too big for two people, yet Emmeline’s presence somehow filled it.

No. If I enjoyed being with her, it was because I hadn’t had female company in so long.

Nothing more. I respected Emmeline, and yes, if I was being honest, I felt incredibly attracted to her.

But I had no business feeling anything deeper.

She was my partner for the heist, and that was all she ever could be.

Under different circumstances… Well, it was no use dreaming of that.

“I leave it in your hands,” Queen Verena said finally. “You’re the one risking the most, so the strategy should be your decision.”

I nodded gratefully. She’d told me plainly that if I got caught, she had to deny any involvement. That’s why she hadn’t ordered me to steal the Selenian Jewel; she’d asked. And she’d said she wouldn’t think any less of me if I refused.

I hadn’t considered refusing for an instant.

“Then with your permission, I’ll take my leave,” I said, standing.

“Yes, get some sleep, Sir Valen. And thank you.”

I bowed one last time. “It’s my honor to serve you, Your Majesty.”