I shuddered to think of it. My cousin had admitted that he’d been to the Pool of Memory, and there, the gods had revealed to him another calamity like the one the supernatural world had experienced decades ago. The question wasn’tifanother world war was coming, but when.
“Therecouldbe another Great Supernatural War,” I admitted. “We don’t know. But I figure that it’s pointless to debate on some upcoming battle on the horizon, and what we’re going to do about it, when there’s already a conflict right in front of us we need to deal with.”
There were nods around the table. I sat back in my chair. “I think it’s decided. We open up the trade routes, and sell as many fae objects as we can to the other races. Then we use the money to prop up the economy, and fund the battle against Gabriella. Agreed?”
There was a vote, which passed. The council disbanded then.
Stefan lounged across the table once the four of us were alone, much like his lazy self. “It’s so annoying trying to get all these prats to listen.”
“Whatever their internal biases, we need them,” I said. “All the lords and ladies of the Circle have been instrumental in ensuring that we keep the support of the nobles we still have.”
“And what about the general public?” Delmare placed her chin in her hand.
“It seems like the city is beingmostlysupportive,” Emma noted. “There are going to be dissenters regardless, but at this point, I think most of the commoners are just looking to see what Ethan and I will do, before they have any real judgements about us.”
Emma stood, but she wavered. I eyed her before I said, “Tell the servants we will take our lunch in our quarters today. And don’t let anyone into the throne room until after two o’clock. We need a reprieve.”
Stefan nodded, and he and Delmare left the council room. I rose, and took Emma’s hand in mine. Her knees buckled when we reached our quarters in the uppermost part of the castle, and I held her up.
“You’re not well.” She seemed so frail through our bond.
“I’m just having a flare-up. I’m fine,” Emma said tiredly. She laid on the chemise lounge and cast a hand over her eyes.
Tygrys puttered in from the other room. Tygrys had his own little greenhouse attached to the queen’s office, and he was very pleased with it. The faekin landed on Emma’s shoulders and began kneading his paws against them, giving her a massage.
The servants rolled in a golden cart, which carried our meal. They curtsied, and left us alone. I locked the door. I didn’t wish for anyone to bother us until later.
I placed a plate in front of Emma on the coffee table, but she merely picked at her crab and watercress salad. Her skin was a slight tinge of green.
“You were throwing up all last night,” I noted. I’d heard Emma retching into the early hours of morning. I’d found her on her knees in the bathroom attached to our suite. I’d gotten up to help her, but there wasn’t much I could do besides call for water.
“It’s probably just stress.”
My stomach bottomed out. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I need some time to adjust,” she replied. “We were thrown into this. I’ll get used to it eventually.”
I wouldn’t take that as an answer. I abandoned my meal and got a hairbrush from her quarters. She tilted her head and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Giving you a nice afternoon.” I brushed back her long red hair. I knew this felt good to her.
“You could call for a servant to do it for you.”
“A king serves his queen.” I never tired of running my fingers through Emma’s vibrant locks. Her hair was soft, and striking. It drew me in, and I was reminded of the desire I felt for her. It didn’t fade, only grew stronger with time.
“I’m worried I can’t do this job,” Emma whispered. “I want to, but every day I wonder if my body is strong enough.”
“Youarestrong enough.” I put the hairbrush down, and sat beside her. I took her hands in mine. “The gods didn’t choose you for this position. You chose it for yourself. You like to push yourself past your limits, but Emma, I’ve never seen younotachieve your goals. You’ve found a way to overcome what’s in your way, every single time.”
“But my disease holds me back,” she confessed. “I didn’t have any idea how tough this would be. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, yet my limitations are staring me in the face. I can’t keep up with everyone else, Ethan. I can’t even keep up with everything Iwantto do.”
I brushed a red lock of hair behind her ear. “I think you set impossible standards for yourself,” I said. “You’re doing fine.”
“Fine isn’t enough, though. Not for me, or Malovia,” she said. “I want to be the best at what I do, and that includes being queen.”
“You can only do the best you can day by day,” I said. “We already know that your disease makes it so what’s possible for you changes, sometimes even by the hour. You aren’t the kind of person to give up,onawilke.You make adjustments and find a path forward.”
“The day is coming when I’m not going to be able to get out of bed, Ethan. In the past, I’ve been stuck inside for a week or more, trying to recover from an illness,” Emma said. “This isn’t like skipping class. We’re running an empire, one that’s dependent on me.”
