Page 49 of The Shadowed Throne (Midlife Fairy Tale #4)

R o approached Nazyr’s cell with some trepidation. She’d meant what she said about not keeping JT from the man. JT was an adult, and it was his decision to speak to Nazyr. She would respect that.

She just hoped Nazyr didn’t see it as an opportunity to insert himself into Ro’s life. That would not happen. While it was wonderful that he’d been helpful and he seemed genuine about his desire not to return to Malveaux, she had no interest in him being part of anything here in Summerton.

Most especially her life or JT’s.

For all of Nazyr’s help and promises, she still harbored resentment toward him. Maybe that was her own issue to deal with, but she couldn’t help what she felt. In the guise of a visiting professor, he had used her youth and naivete and broken her heart.

Yes, he’d given her JT, but did that make him blameless for his treatment of her? Not to her it didn’t.

Nazyr was reading when they arrived. He set his book aside and looked up. When he saw her, he stood and bowed. “Your highness. I trust everything went well with Queen…” His gaze had shifted, and he’d seen JT.

“It went well,” Ro answered. “As you can see, she didn’t fulfill her mission to kill me. Uldamar said your help was invaluable. For that and the information you gave my council, I am offering you a new situation.” She held out the book.

He came forward and reached through the bars to take it, but he was still looking at JT. After a moment, he brought his gaze back to Ro. “A new situation?”

“Yes. If you’re interested, you’ll be relocated to Starfall, an estate that borders the royal property.

You’ll be given a job, most likely working in the gardens or something of that nature, and you’ll be provided with room and board.

You won’t be allowed to leave the property without permission, and your behavior has to be flawless.

Do you have any questions? Does that appeal to you? ”

He smiled. “That appeals very much. No questions that I can think of. I’d love to work in the gardens. Thank you so much.” He stood and came closer to the bars, again looking at JT. “Prince James.”

“Hello,” JT said. There was a coolness in his voice Ro hadn’t expected, but she was happy to see he wasn’t rushing into anything.

“We’ll arrange transportation for you later today.” Ro gestured at Gabriel. “Starfall is Lord Nightborne’s estate, so you can thank him. He’ll be your boss.”

Nazyr bowed to Gabriel. “I greatly appreciate you giving me this opportunity.”

Gabriel, stoic as ever, grunted but said nothing.

Ro touched his arm. “We should go speak to your brother now.”

Gabriel’s gaze shifted briefly to JT before he answered. “As you wish, your highness.”

Ro started toward Valentyne’s cell, Gabriel beside her. JT stayed behind. Whether or not he talked to Nazyr was up to him, but Ro wanted to at least give him a chance.

Valentyne was also reading as they approached. He glanced at them but went back to his book.

“On your feet,” Gabriel gruffed. “Show some respect to your queen.”

Valentyne looked like he was about to argue that, then seemingly changed his mind, put his book aside, and stood up. His bow was slightly theatrical. “Pardon me, your highness. I was at a particularly good fight scene.”

“It’ll still be there when I’m done. Do you know anything about mining trillianite, or was the story about you being in Yarne just a story?”

His eyes narrowed. “No. I worked a mine there for three years before I decided I could make more doing other things.” He grinned, like he ought to be commended for that decision.

She wasn’t amused. “Good. In that case, you’re being moved to a new location where you will work at a small mine. Unless you’d rather stay in this cell.”

That got his attention. “No, I could do that. Where is the mine? Back in Yarne?”

Gabriel snorted. “Not hardly. It’s at Starfall, an estate that borders the royal grounds. You’ll be guarded while you’re there. You attempt to escape, and you’ll be sent to Tenebrae.”

Ro hadn’t stipulated that, but she was fine with it.

Gabriel leaned in. “I was just at Tenebrae. Trust me when I say you do not want that to be your permanent residence.”

Valentyne nodded quickly. “I agree with you on that. Who owns this Starfall? A lonely old dowager?” He waggled his brows.

Ro smiled. “Lord Nightborne.”

Valentyne’s mouth fell open, and he looked at his brother in confusion. “You? You’re a lord? How did you manage that?”

Gabriel, eyes sparkling, just shrugged. “Funny what happens when you save the queen’s life often enough.” His smile shifted to Ro. “May I escort you from the cells, my lady?”

She smiled back. “You may. I’m sure lunch is ready by now.”

JT was talking with Nazyr as they reached him. Ro waited for JT to look at her so that she didn’t have to interrupt. “We’re going up to lunch.”

“I’m coming,” JT said. He gave Nazyr a glance. “I know where you’ll be if I want to talk again.”

Nazyr nodded. “Yes, your highness. I hope that you do.”

With a shrug, JT turned to Ro.

They went upstairs. Ro said nothing about the conversation to JT. She figured he’d share when and if he wanted to.

A late lunch was being laid out in her private dining room: beautiful plates of cold crab and shrimp with sauces to dip the meat into, along with fresh fruit and a variety of salads, appetizingly presented. Pitchers of blackberry lemonade, ice water, and some kind of pink punch sat on the table.

“Wow, that is quite a feast,” Ro said.

Violet smiled at her. “I think the kitchen is very happy you’re alive.”

“That makes two of us.”

They all took seats. Ro sat at the head of the table, JT on one side of her, Gabriel on the other. Uldamar, Aunt Violet, Posey, Raphaela, and Vincent filled in the rest of the chairs.

Ro lifted her goblet of blackberry lemonade. “It is so good to be here with all of you. To be able to share this meal with you, the people who are my family and friends, who keep me and the kingdom safe, as well as my family. I am so deeply grateful for all of you. I hope you know that.”

Uldamar raised his goblet. “Hear, hear. Well said, my lady. We are deeply grateful for you and your genuine care for this kingdom and its citizens. We are blessed to have you as our queen.”

Everyone raised their glasses.

Gabriel lifted his slightly higher than the rest. “To Queen Sparrow, may her reign be long and prosperous.”

They all drank, and Ro, feeling a bit emotional, couldn’t stop smiling. “Enough of that or you’ll have me crying. Everyone eat.”

They laughed and started on their food, which was delicious.

About halfway through the meal, Ro glanced at the desserts set out on the sideboard. If having an attempt made on her life didn’t qualify her for dessert, nothing did. And those little chocolate and strawberry tarts looked amazing. But then, so did the pale green iced cakes. Were those pistachio?

A knock on the door made them all look in that direction. A footman stepped forward. “Would you like me to see to that, my lady?”

“Yes, please.” Ro addressed the table. “It’s probably Ecclesia. I asked her not to leave without saying goodbye.”

Uldamar frowned. “You don’t think she’ll stay on as Second Professor?”

Ro shook her head. “She hasn’t given me any indication she was interested in that. I can’t force her.”

“No, no,” Uldamar said. “Shame, though.”

“I agree.”

The footman returned. He looked flustered, which wasn’t typical for the palace footmen. Or any of the staff, really. “Your highness, there is a woman in the entrance hall demanding to see you.”

“What woman?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know, your highness. I am only relaying the message I was given.”

Ro hated to turn away citizens. They’d had years of no ruler. Having one who wouldn’t listen to them would be almost as bad. She set her napkin on the table.

“You’re not really going down, are you, Mom?”

“I won’t be long. In fact, I’ll be back in time for dessert.” She pushed her chair away from the table, and Gabriel jumped to his feet.

“I’ll go with you.”

She just smiled. Nothing she said would keep him in his chair. She pointed at the rest of them. “Do not eat dessert without me.”

As they left and walked through the dim, cool corridors of the castle, she slipped her hand into Gabriel’s.

His gaze stayed straight ahead, but his grin went wide. “Someone might see us.”

“I no longer care.”

“Ro!” He glanced at her. “Really?”

“I could have been killed today. And I’m the queen. I’m doing what I want to.”

“All right.” He gripped her hand a little tighter. “Any idea who this woman might be?”

“Not a clue.”

They descended the stairs to the entrance hall. She let go of his hand as they reached the ground floor. The woman’s back was to them, and she was conversing with a pair of guards. There was something familiar about her, about her gestures and her silhouette.

The guards looked up. The woman turned.

Ro stopped walking, the breath in her lungs stuck. She gasped, not believing her eyes.

The woman put her hands on her hips. “Well, look at you.” She shook her head. “Queen. Imagine that.” Suddenly, she laughed. “And I thought being dead was bad.”

“You know her?” Gabriel whispered.

“Yes.” Ro managed a nod despite feeling like she’d just been punched in the gut. “She’s my mother.”