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She receives at least two marriage proposals every span, and since frequent conflict and refusal of others affects her emotionally, the queen has gone into seclusion. It hurts me to watch her isolate herself. While she’s isolated, they plot against her, while also sliding letters of proposals under the gap of her bedroom door.
I stop reading.
After putting the folded letter back inside the envelope, I place it inside my drawer, then take out a piece of paper and write one of my own.
I must deliver it in person.
King Et’enne is holding court. I wait until all the people have cleared the throne room. He slumps in the large chair and pinches the bridge of his nose. Wincing, he groans.
“Have you been drinking your tea?” I ask, then nod at the guards to lock the room and close off the sound to ensure we have privacy.
People think a lot, and he once told me that a slip of his magic is capable of reaching the entire court. He said it would be easier to simply take over the minds of all his people and silence them than it would be to shield himself from them every waking moment of every span. Hence, the king drinks special herbal teas.
“I have, but my queen is visiting the Winter Court again.”
“Only for tonight, no?”
He nods and looks up, his dark Unseelie eyes appearing tired. “You didn’t come here with either a tray of tea or my queen, so what is it?”
I walk through the throne room and climb the steps, then bow, handing him my letter. “I am resigning my commission.”
When he doesn’t respond or take the letter, I look up to see his eyebrows have risen.
“What?” My king sits straighter on the throne. “Repeat.”
“I am resigning my commission. I ask that you release me from my oath.”
Lips slightly parted, he reads the letter in which I officially resign and ask for his signature that will release me from his service.
“I can’t sign this.”
“But you will,” I tell him.
“Why would I?”
“Because you are my friend, and you know I’m needed elsewhere.”
“Where?”
“In the Spring Court.”
“Ah, the other Seelie court. You are needed, or you want to go?”
“Both.”
“Which is it?”
“Both.”
“You secured the throne for the Spring queen and set up all the people around her. So tell me, what’s the urgency? Why are you needed?” His tone is commanding, his magic demanding an answer. I bristle at his foul attitude. I thought he would support my decision, but it appears I will have to fight for it.
“Alestho writes that they are descending on her like vultures.”
“Of course they are. She is a twenty-two-turn-old, young, beautiful, and powerful virgin queen who insists on remaining a virgin. It’s as if she issued them all a challenge.”
“Be that as it may, she is a queen, and anyone she accepts can become the next king.”
“Ah, I see. You are concerned about my influence over the Spring Court in case the king rises to power. Not to worry, I will write to sweet Chloe. She will take a breeder and be done with it. As a matter of fact, I will send El’jah.”
