Page 22 of The Shadowed Throne (Midlife Fairy Tale #4)

F or a moment, Anyka didn’t know where she was. Only that she had woken in a strange place.

She sat up, saw Galwyn peering at her from the footboard of the bed, took in the rustic quilt, smelled woodsmoke and coffee, and remembered she was at Wyett’s parents’ farm.

She’d slept so deeply she had no memory of falling asleep. She hadn’t dreamed, hadn’t woken once, and had nearly forgotten who she was.

Nearly. The weight of the crown never completely lifted. Still, she felt a sense of peace that seemed as rare as raven’s teeth.

Perhaps this new peace was from the country air, but she supposed it had more to do with escaping the confines of the palace and the responsibilities that came with her life there.

Galwyn made a soft noise.

She turned her attention to him and nodded in response. “I know, my darling boy. You’re hungry, aren’t you? Probably wondering what’s going on, too. Don’t worry. We’ll be home soon enough. Too soon.”

At the same time, she felt better about going back than she’d have imagined yesterday. There was a point where she could have walked away and never looked back. At least, that’s how she’d felt.

Now, with a little perspective and some time away, that feeling had vanished.

Someone knocked softly on the door. She pulled the quilt to her chin. She’d slept in her silk undergown. “Come in.”

Wyett entered, bearing a pottery mug of steaming coffee, his gaze averted. “Good morning, my lady. Coffee?”

“Yes, please.” She took the coffee, laced with cream, and sipped it. Surprisingly delicious.

He turned away to give her privacy. “My mother will make you breakfast, if you wish. Eggs and bacon, with toast. There is pear butter or honey for the toast.”

She was about to pass when she realized she was hungrier than she’d been in ages. “That all sounds good. Honey for the toast. Or maybe the pear butter. I can’t decide.”

“I’ll set both out. Will you have it here or come down?”

“I’ll come down.”

“Would you like me to send my sister up to help you dress? She’s in the field, but I can fetch her.”

“No, I can manage.”

“Very good.” With a bow, he left her, closing the door.

She drank the rest of the coffee before getting up. When she did, she stretched, then pulled her dress on, thankful it buttoned in the front. In the tiny, age-pitted mirror over the dresser, she checked her hair. She brushed back a few stray wisps, tucking them into her braids where she could.

The rough cotton pillowcase had not been as kind to her hair as the silk one she usually slept on, but it was a small price to pay.

Her necklace and circlet were on the top of the dresser. She slipped the necklace on, then picked up the circlet. She turned the metal in her hands almost reluctantly before setting it atop her head. Was it her imagination that it felt heavier this morning?

She smoothed the skirt of her gown, tugged on her slippers, and held out her hand to Galwyn. “Come, my pet. I’ll make sure you get fed.”

She lifted him to her shoulder, picked up her mug, and headed downstairs. The sounds of conversation and soft laughter met her halfway, making her pause. She wasn’t sure she’d ever heard Wyett laugh.

He was happy here. And why wouldn’t he be? This was his family home. But was he not also happy with her? With his work? He was a valuable member of her staff.

Perhaps the most valuable.

She stood frozen on the steps. If he was happier here, what would stop him from leaving her? What would stop him from returning to his home? He was free to resign his position.

She went back upstairs and fetched the bag of coins she’d tucked in the pocket of her cape, then went down to the kitchen.

Wyett was standing by the stove with his mother, who had eggs and bacon frying in a large skillet. He stopped talking as Anyka entered.

Lynder glanced over, saw Anyka, and curtseyed. “Your highness. Good morning.”

“Good morning, Lynder.”

“I trust you slept well.”

“I slept remarkably. It’s very peaceful here.”

With a smile, Lynder turned back to the skillet. “Very peaceful, my lady.”

Anyka held out the bag of coins. “A gift for you and your husband, for opening your home to me.”

Lynder glanced from the bag to Anyka and shook her head. “Your highness, there’s no need?—”

“Please. I want to.”

Wyett took the bag and tucked it into his mother’s apron pocket. “That’s very kind of you, my lady. My parents appreciate it greatly.”

“He’s right. We do. And it is very kind,” Lynder said, with a sideways glance at her son. “Please, make yourself comfortable. I’ll have your breakfast in a jiffy.”

Wyett took Anyka’s mug. “More coffee?”

“Yes, please. And Galwyn needs breakfast, too.”

Wyett tipped his head toward the table. “I set out a bowl of dried fruit, meat, and nuts. If that’s not enough, I can find him something else.”

Anyka turned and saw the bowl near the place set for her. It was more than enough. “No, that will do.”

She took her seat and placed Galwyn on the table next to her, bringing the bowl close to him. He went to work on it immediately, digging through to find the bits he liked best.

Anyka looked up at Wyett. “Where’s your father?”

Wyett brought her mug, freshly filled, to the table. “He’s repairing a section of fence in one of the fields with my brother-in-law.”

She took the mug and nodded before having a drink. “Of course. This is a working farm, after all.”

“Yes, my lady. The eggs for your breakfast were gathered this morning, and the bacon comes from one of our own pigs.”

Lynder brought a plate of toast and set it down near the pots of pear butter and honey already on the table. “I hope you find it all to your liking, my lady.”

“I’m sure I will.”

She went to the stove, plated up the rest of the meal, and placed it in front of Anyka. “To your health, my lady.”

Anyka looked up at them. “Aren’t you eating?”

Lynder glanced at Wyett, who answered. “We eat early, before the sun rises and we head out to do chores.”

She smiled at them. “Wyett, did you help with chores this morning?” It was hard to picture her valet doing such things.

“I did. Anything to lighten the workload.”

Her smile disappeared. “That was kind of you.”

Lynder backed away. “I best get to that laundry. If you’ll excuse me.”

“I’ll help you, Ma,” Wyett said.

“Sit with me,” Anyka said impulsively. “Have a cup of coffee and sit with me.”

Wyett’s mouth stayed open for a second, then he snapped it shut. “As you wish.”

He poured himself a cup and sat across from her.

“Why don’t your parents hire a farmhand?”

He drank from his mug, then set the cup down. “They have my brother-in-law. And they can’t afford more help.”

“This looks like a thriving farm. Why aren’t they making money?”

He took a breath, the reluctance in his eyes plain as day.

Knife in hand, she frowned as she spread pear butter on her toast. “What is it?”

He sat back. “Times are hard in the kingdom, my lady. It’s not as visible in the villages, perhaps, but the lack of true sun for so many years has taken its toll. The crops that can be produced are far from abundant. And even if the crops were plentiful…”

When he stopped talking, she understood his reluctance had become more than that. He wasn’t going to finish. “You’ve come this far. Say what you’re thinking. There will be no repercussions. I want to know.”

“Well, it’s just that … as a kingdom, we don’t have much in the way of trade with other kingdoms. Some with the trolls, yes, but if my parents could sell a portion of their crops more widely, they would make more. Prices would go up.”

Her stomach soured even as she bit into her toast. “So this is my fault?”

She expected him to assure her it was not. Instead, he sighed, a sound that could only be described as tired. “You are the queen, my lady. You control the trading ability of this kingdom.”

She swallowed. It took a lot to render her speechless, but he’d done it. Not just with his audacity but with the truth of what he’d said. She couldn’t argue because he was right. She sipped her coffee and thought his statement through.

She swallowed and gave Galwyn a quick pet. Anything to keep from meeting Wyett’s gaze. “More trade.” She nodded. “I will speak to the Minister of Commerce.”

When Wyett didn’t respond, she looked up to find him staring at her.

Had she not said enough? She stabbed her finger into the table to emphasize her point.

“This is why I need to rule Summerton as well. Then trade wouldn’t be an issue.

There wouldn’t be other kingdoms choosing sides.

Malveaux would flourish. And it will flourish, just as soon as that kingdom is under my rule. ”

She picked up her fork and cut into one of the fried eggs. Golden yolk spilled out. She knew what she had to do.

She’d known it for some time, but she had yet to act with any real force.

But the time had come. There was no more denying the obvious end to this. The thing that would allow her to take control of Summerton.

Sparrow had to be eliminated.