Page 30 of The Shadowed Throne (Midlife Fairy Tale #4)

A nyka frowned. “That is an unfortunate amount of lace.”

“Mother,” Beatryce moaned. She cut her eyes at Anyka from her spot on the platform before turning back to the mirrors. “I don’t think it’s nearly enough.”

Weary, Anyka shook her head, fluttering her fingers at her daughter. “Then have them add more, but I don’t know where it’s going to go.”

Beatryce smiled. She spoke to Mistress Letty Finefrock. “Another layer around the hem and sleeves. So it’s fuller.”

Letty nodded at Beatryce. “Right away, your highness.”

Anyka turned away and rolled her eyes. Fuller was an understatement.

The dress was going to swallow Beatryce.

Anyka sipped the glass of wine she’d requested to make the visit to the seamstresses more tolerable.

There would be no more lace left in the kingdom by the time Beatryce was done.

No more satin, either. And possibly a shortage on pearls and crystals.

As Letty started pinning away, Beatryce sighed a happy sigh. At least that was something good, Anyka thought.

She glanced at the wall clock, ticking away. “Beatryce, my darling, you know I have to go soon.”

“I know, Mother. It’s all right. I understand how busy you are. I’ve asked Merylynn to come by.”

“Oh.” It was a punch to the gut to know her daughter was replacing her with a commoner, but Anyka refused to acknowledge that the mention of Beatryce’s best friend had caused her any emotional impact. “That’s nice, dear. Does she know much about royal wedding dresses?”

“No, but she knows what’s pretty and stylish and what’s not. What else matters?”

Anyka sipped her wine. “A good question.” Maybe the girl could talk Bea out of all this frippery. Anyka changed the subject. “I understand Dren and his party will be arriving tonight?”

Beatryce let out a soft squeal. “Yes, and I cannot wait to meet him. I hope he’s as handsome as everyone says.”

“I’m sure he will be.”

“And you’ll be back in time to greet him?”

“I will do my best, but I will probably be tired. If not tonight, tomorrow’s welcome breakfast will be the perfect opportunity. He may get in late, you know. And the Minister of Hospitality will be there to greet him regardless.”

“I know, but I think it’s only fitting his betrothed is there when he arrives, no matter the time.”

“It’s a lovely gesture, certainly, but he may not be at his best after so much traveling.”

Beatryce frowned. “I suppose that’s true. What should I do then?”

Anyka blinked and set her wine down. It wasn’t often her daughter asked for advice. “Well, it would be perfectly acceptable to send a handwritten note of welcome, with the promise that you’ll see him in the morning at breakfast.”

Beatryce bit her lip, considering her mother’s words. “Would that really be enough?”

“Bea, darling.” Anyka leaned forward. “He should always want more of you. That is the key to any successful relationship. When a man wants less of you, things are not good. And don’t forget, you outrank him. He should be more concerned about making you happy, not the other way around.”

Beatryce smiled. “I had not considered him wanting more. That sounds … wise. Very well, I’ll send him a note.”

Wise was not something she remembered her daughter calling her before.

Anyka finished the last sip of wine, then got up and approached her child.

She took Bea’s hand and held it out, getting a better look at the gown.

“Sometimes, more is wonderful. But sometimes, it’s simply too much. Be mindful of that.”

Beatryce pursed her lips. “I know you’re talking about my dress, but I want the most beautiful dress the kingdom has ever seen.”

“You are going to be the most beautiful bride this kingdom has ever seen. What you wear is secondary, my darling. Remember that. You are the star of the day. Not your dress or your shoes or your jewels. You .”

Bea’s eyes widened as if that was completely new information.

Anyka leaned in and kissed her daughter’s cheek. “I must go, but tomorrow at breakfast, you can tell me what I missed. I will see you then, all right?”

Beatryce nodded. “All right. Be safe.”

Anyka smiled. It was sweet to hear such sentiment from her daughter. This betrothal had been an excellent idea. “I will.”

Anyka left. Trog, who’d been outside guarding the door, fell into step behind her. They passed Merylynn in the hall on her way to join Beatryce. The young woman dropped into a curtsey. “Your highness.”

“Merylynn.” Anyka didn’t stop walking. She was dressed for travel in a dark gray coat dress with a full skirt, black leather leggings, and her tall black riding boots.

She had numerous daggers on her person, as well as an onyx, trillianite, and diamond suite of jewels that included an impressive circlet.

She was not taking Galwyn, as much as she would have liked his company. She had no idea how the neph would view such a pet, and she was not about to put her precious pet at risk. She was worried they might want one of the warhorses.

She found Wyett, Hawke, Grylan, and three guards awaiting her at the stables, not yet mounted, but standing with their horses.

Mucklow, the stablemaster, was with them. He approached and bowed. “My lady, what an honor to see you again.” He snapped his fingers at a few of the stable hands. “I’ve got your horses ready. Coming out now.”

“Thank you, Mucklow. I trust you survived the fog all right?”

He nodded. “My lady wife had a bit of an attack, but she’s doing better now.”

“Glad to hear it.” Mucklow was one of the good ones, and while Anyka was sorry his wife had suffered, at least no permanent damage had been done.

His eyes narrowed. “That blasted Radiant queen. A pox on her.”

“Indeed.” Satisfaction welled up in Anyka at his response. That was exactly what she’d been hoping for.

The stable hands returned with Nymbus, Anyka’s horse, and Mol, which was Trog’s. Anyka mounted without help, although it was offered. Trog got into his saddle as well. She glanced back at the rest of the party, also settling into their seats. “Who’s leading?”

“Minister Wickthorne,” Wyett answered as he rode up to her.

“What are we bringing as gifts?”

“Four bottles of pear brandy,” Wyett answered. “And?—”

Anyka made a face.

“It’s from my parents’ own orchard, my lady. I promise, it is excellent.”

“That’s all right then. What else?”

“A dagger from the silversmith in town—the same one who I believe made the circlet you’re wearing—a fruitcake from the palace kitchen, and two full leather skins, tanned and ready for use.”

She nodded. The fruitcake seemed questionable, but there was no telling what someone might like. She quite fancied it toasted and buttered for breakfast with tea. “Let’s go.”

“Yes, my lady.” Wyett turned his horse around and nodded at Hawke, who rode up to them.

He gave Anyka a smile. “My lady. You look especially regal. The neph will fall at your feet, I have no doubt.”

“Let’s hope that’s true. Lead on to the portal. I want to be back as soon as possible.”

He nodded. “Right away.” He nudged his horse and went ahead.

He’d been in her bed again last night, but she was starting to question if he wasn’t becoming too familiar. Some of the looks he gave her bordered on indecent. As though he wanted everyone else to know what they’d done.

Men were such fools at times.

Wyett plodded alongside, quiet but seemingly in thought. Was he thinking about Hawke, too? He had to know that Anyka had become intimate with the man. Was Wyett concerned? Or jealous?

She couldn’t imagine he was jealous. But then, he wasn’t always the easiest of fae to read. “What is it?”

He glanced over at her as if caught off guard. “Sorry, my lady, what?”

“You seem lost in thought.”

“I was. Forgive me. Just thinking about how vital the neph might be as an ally. And a new trading partner. I would imagine they have a great need for all sorts of goods.”

So not Hawke. Or he was good at pretending otherwise. “I would think so as well.”

Hawke made them line up and take hold of each other’s reins so that they would go through the portal as one. It was a simple stone circle in the farthest corner of the royal gardens, overgrown from disuse. Anyka had never realized it was a portal.

Once they were through, Hawke took up the lead again. “Won’t be long now. See how the woods darken in the distance? That’s the Charred Forest. As soon as we enter, we’re in neph territory.”

They traveled quickly, without conversation. Anyka clutched the reins tighter than necessary as they entered the Charred Forest. The dim light was soothing, but she was no longer in control here. This was not her kingdom.

And while they had been invited to meet with the neph and talk, they could just as easily declare her a trespasser. She swallowed. “This may have been unwise,” she said quietly.

Wyett shook his head. “I don’t believe so, my lady. They wanted us to come. We were invited.”

She slanted her gaze at him. “Just like I hope to invite Queen Sparrow somewhere?”

“It’s not the same, I assure you. Their purpose is genuine.”

“I pray you are right.”

Small mounds rose out of the ground, some with narrow openings, all of them surrounded by small white stones protruding through the earth around them.

The openings increased in size until one appeared in the distance that was larger than all the others.

Large enough that guards with staves stood inside it.

“The Caer Wyld,” Wyett said.

“You go,” Anyka said.

He gave her a look. “My lady?”

“You go speak to them. Not Hawke. You are far more eloquent.” She called out to Hawke as softly as she could while still being heard. “Minister Wickthorne.”

Hawke glanced back and slowed his horse until they reached him. “Yes, your highness?”

“My councilor will make the introductions.”

Even as she spoke, Wyett went ahead to the mouth of the cave. She watched the guards as they approached him, watched his body language, watched everything. If this was some kind of a setup, she would be the first to know.

He seemed to go stiff. One of the guards at the entrance shook his head. Wyett said something else, this time pulling out the letter the neph had sent back. The guard shook his head again.

Wyett turned his horse around and returned to the party, his lip curled in obvious irritation. “They refused us entry. The guard said the king has no desire to see you, your highness.”

The darkness boiled inside Anyka. “ They wrote back, requesting we come.”

“I told them as much,” Wyett said. “They are clearly playing some kind of game.”

“Well, I refuse to participate in that. Home,” Anyka said. “ Now .”

Without waiting, she headed back toward the portal. At least she thought it was the way back. Wyett fell in next to her, and Hawke took up the lead again.

“What a waste of time,” Anyka said. “They deserve to be isolated. Wretched lot of—” A cry carried through the forest. “What was that? An animal?”

Wyett shook his head. “Not to my ears.”

“Send a guard ahead to be sure we’re not about to be set upon.”

“Yes, my lady.” He gestured to the nearest guard. “See what that was.”

The guard took off into the woods. A short while later, he returned and approached Anyka and Wyett. “Your highness, it appears to be one of the neph, who has injured himself. He is bleeding and needs assistance.”

Anyka arched a brow. “Well, he won’t be getting it from us.”