Page 37 of The Shadowed Throne (Midlife Fairy Tale #4)

P erhaps because Anyka no longer had Nazyr to worry about, she’d managed to sleep in. Not much, only about an hour past her usual waking time. She hadn’t planned on it, but her sleep had been restless. Filled with dreams of Tenebrae, creeping shadows, and the blood she was soon to shed.

She woke with a smile on her face and darkness in her heart. She was so pleased with herself that she ordered breakfast to be served in the royal dining room and had Beatryce, Dren, Ishmyel, Wyett, Hawke, and Nazyr invited to join her.

Jenny dressed her in a fine, crimson silk gown, and with Galwyn on her shoulder and Trog at her back, Anyka made her way to breakfast.

Beatryce, Dren, Wyett and Nazyr were there, but Ishmyel and Hawke were not. “Where is my uncle? And Wickthorne?”

“Here, my lady,” called out Hawke as he came in. He was dressed in a white shirt with a brown leather vest and dark green pants tucked into tall boots. There was a sword at his hip, and he looked … damp.

She arched a brow at him. “Did my invitation interrupt something?”

“Training, my lady.” He rolled his shoulder around. “Nearly have full use of my arm again.”

“Glad to hear it.” Honestly, she hadn’t been aware he was having issues, but then she often drifted into her own thoughts when he was talking.

She ignored him and went to greet her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law. He was truly handsome, rugged in the way of most troll men, but with an undeniable courtly charm about him that so many were missing. No doubt, his royal upbringing had helped in that area.

She smiled at the young couple and meant it. They were the future of Malveaux, and so far, she felt it would be in fairly capable hands. As long as Dren could keep Beatryce from fluttering away and staying focused on the job of running the kingdom. “How are you this morning, my darling?”

“I’m…” Beatryce smiled at Dren. “I could not be better.”

“I’m so glad to hear that.” She looked up at Dren. “And you?”

He bowed. “I am well. How are you, my lady? I must say once again, it is easy to see where Beatryce gets her grace and beauty from.”

Anyka laughed softly. Beatryce was a lucky young woman. She ought to be kissing her mother’s feet in thanks for this arrangement. “You are quite the flatterer, Dren. I am well and greatly pleased to see the two of you in such fine health. Plans for the wedding are proceeding then?”

Dren held his hands up. “Whatever Beatryce wants is fine with me. It is her day. And a day for the kingdom.”

Truly, the man was a marvel. For a second son, he was extremely polished and clearly well trained in the royal arts. He knew his place. There weren’t many she could say the same about.

Including a good number of her ministers.

Ishmyel walked in, shrugging off his riding cape and handing it to a footman. “Excuse my lateness. I’ve only just returned from a ride into the village.” He bowed to Anyka. “Thank you for the invitation.”

“What did you go into the village for?”

He smiled, his gaze shifting to Beatryce and Dren. “I am commissioning a wedding gift. I will say no more than that.”

“I see,” Anyka said. She’d get him to tell her what it was later. She did not want her gift to look second best. Although she hadn’t actually determined what she was getting them yet. Perhaps a country house. There would be no besting that.

The crown owned many properties, and it was up to her discretion as to how they were used and distributed. The one in Harrowfen was quite nice. As was the one in Blackreach, though not everyone enjoyed that rocky, desolate terrain.

She found the isolation of the moors quite soothing. Maybe after the wedding was done, she’d spend some time there. Let Beatryce truly be in charge.

For that to happen, Beatryce needed to be more involved in royal life. Not just appearances to celebrate the opening of a new shop or the commemoration of a significant date but the hard things, too.

“Bea, darling, I need a moment of your time.” Anyka held her hand out to indicate she wanted to get some distance from the others before they spoke.

With a glance at Dren, who nodded his understanding and moved to speak with Ishmyel, Beatryce walked with her mother to the other side of the room. “What is it?”

“I will soon be meeting with Queen Sparrow, and you’re going to accompany me.”

“With Queen Sparrow?” Beatryce’s eyes went wide. “What about?”

Anyka did not want to tell her daughter the truth. At the same time, she knew that lying to Beatryce would do her no favors. The weight of the crown was heavy. It was high time she learned that. “She believes we are meeting to finally discuss peace.”

“But you tried that at Willow Hall, and it didn’t go well.”

“No, it did not, because peace with a queen who wants to kill you and take over your kingdom isn’t possible. You saw what Sparrow did by using Lady Cynzia’s grimoire.”

Beatryce smiled. “She lifted the curse.”

Anyka ground her teeth together. “Yes and released another one in the form of that dreadful fog. All because she wanted the glory. If she’d never stolen that book from me, I would have lifted the curse, and the fog would never have come.”

Beatryce stopped smiling to nod. “The fog was a terrible thing.”

“It was. Many good people suffered.”

“And a few died.”

“Yes. May their memories be hallowed. So you see, Sparrow is dangerous.” Inspiration struck Anyka. She shook her head in sadness. “I fear that your wedding will be too much for her.”

Beatryce grabbed hold of her mother’s arm. “What do you mean?”

“The temptation to ruin your day, to take advantage of all of us with our guard down, she won’t be able to resist it.”

Beatryce gasped. “You think she’d do something on my wedding day?”

“Do you have reason to think she wouldn’t? Bea, I will not let her hurt you or Dren or your future happiness. I will not let your day be marred by her evil intentions. I have called this meeting with her because I plan to be rid of her.”

Beatryce blinked. “You don’t mean…”

“I mean to do what needs to be done so that you and Dren and your children can live safe, happy lives.” She cupped one of Beatryce’s cheeks. “I would do anything for you. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes, but to kill…” Tears welled in Beatryce’s eyes. “What will happen to you? What if … what if she strikes back?”

Anyka smiled. “My sweet child. I will be fine. I am prepared.”

“But you want me with you. What if she turns on me?”

“We will have Nazyr and Minister Wickthorne with us, as well as Wyett, Trog, and your uncle. Plus two guards. We will be fine. Nazyr is going to craft an amulet to keep you safe, but there’s nothing to worry about.

Sparrow has no idea what’s coming. I promise you, we will be victorious, and you will share in the glory of protecting Malveaux because you’ll have been there. ”

Beatryce went silent, her brow furrowed in thought.

Anyka had an idea of what was going on in her daughter’s mind. “The citizens will see you not just as the heir to the throne but as a young woman well on her way to being my equal .”

“They will respect me.”

It wasn’t a question, but Anyka nodded solemnly. “They will. One simple meeting and you will be elevated in their eyes. On the day of your wedding, they won’t just be celebrating your marriage but the happiness of their future queen. They will see you as I see you.”

A faraway look filled Bea’s eyes, then she dropped her gaze.

“You know I have never looked forward to being queen. Not since I was a little girl.” She glanced sideways at her betrothed.

“But to hear Dren talk about duty and royal life with such a sense of happiness, it’s given me a new perspective. ”

“Is that so?”

“I never really thought about the power that comes with it. Just the responsibility. And all the work.”

“It is not an easy job, but the rewards are great.” Power the greatest of them.

Beatryce lifted her chin. Her eyes shone with an uncommon light. “I understand that now. And while I hope you reign for a very long time to come, I feel more capable of ruling than I ever have before.”

“I am pleased to hear that. So you’ll come to the meeting with me and show the Radiant that the future of Malveaux is strong?”

“I will,” Beatryce said. “Proudly.”

“And you’ll be at my side as I deal with Sparrow?”

Beatryce smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it.”