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She looks like she wants to cut off my head, and knowing everyone here is a trained warrior, I’m sure she could.
Her figure looks familiar. I think hard, trying to place it.
Is she the one who saw us sparring? Is she reporting on my time with the queen to King Asher?
I’m shocked to realize that I’m more worried about not seeing the queen again than incurring the king’s wrath.
Before I can blink, the queen is on Kira, forcing her to stand stick-straight against the door. The queen slams her hands on either side of Kira’s head, causing her to flinch. Kira swallows hard as the queen leans to whisper in her ear. The words are too quiet for me to make out, but judging by the fear overcoming Kira’s face, I’m sure I don’t want to know.
The queen pushes off the door but doesn’t put any distance between them. Kira’s eyes flash to mine. They blaze with such hatred; I instinctively take a step back.
“Go now, Kira,” the queen orders.
Kira’s gaze returns to the queen as tears gather in her eyes, threatening to fall. She hurries out of sight. The queen’s head falls back, and she takes several deep breaths. Her shoulders rise and drop in an even cadence. The queen doesn’t look back or utter a word to me before walking into the dining hall.
Chapter 24
Lily
Istab at the last remaining food on my plate, lost in a mix of panic and anger. The interaction with Kira has my stomach in knots and my instincts on high alert. She’s jealous of the time I’m spending with Theo, not understanding why I’m doing so. When she’s like this, she lashes out and makes rash decisions that always end poorly.
“Any other plans for today?” The deep timbre of Theo’s voice breaks my spiraling thoughts.
I resist looking at him. He just watched me intimidate one of my people. I’m worried I’ve reinforced his assumptions of the Queen of Umbra and all the progress I’d made with him is lost.
I force down my nerves and try to smile at him. “I’d like to show you more of the beauty of Umbra. I thought we could go for a walk around The Keep,” I answer.
I’m ready for more fresh air.
He nods with a small smile, and the knot in my stomach loosens a notch.
Gods, I’ve missed him so much it hurts.
We clear the table and leave the dining hall, exiting through the front door. I lead Theo around the waterfall, stopping briefly at the pool with the nobu. I want to show him that he doesn’t have to fear them and try to get him to stand near the water’s edge with me. He refuses, but his body isn’t as tense as it was earlier on the bridge. I consider it a step in the right direction and move on.
Autumn has descended upon Umbra, painting it in stunning shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown. The light breeze and warm sun are the perfect combination for a beautiful day here. Theo takes in all the sights and sounds of my kingdom. He asks questions as we go, wanting to know more.
Hope blooms in my chest as he seems to open up and see Umbra for what it really is.
If I can get him to see and accept my kingdom, maybe he will be open to me as well.
We come to a stop at the edge of the haunted forest. The bloodwoods’ leaves have darkened to their crimson-red of winter, intensifying the forest’s eeriness.
“What creatures live in there?” Theo asks, pointing at the woods.
