Page 95 of Sky’s Edge

I got a text from Jorda telling me my meeting with Tanyn was at two, and someone would arrive at the queen’s study to escort me to it.

I was not liking this.

However, I had to give him time to hold a grudge.

He deserved it.

I’d done something stupid.

I would apologize for it.

I would explain to him where I was with us.

That being, I liked him. I found him interesting. I was incredibly attracted to him. Since I thought we had a chance, I wanted to continue to explore this, not because I had no choice, but because that was what I wanted.

But even so, I was still going to need time to come to terms with all the changes it would bring for me.

Because…not only was there no way around me leaving Night’s Fall to live in Sky’s Edge to eventually be queen, and I still didn’t want to be queen, however I was understanding I was going to be, and I needed to get my head around that fact.

Though, one could say I didn’t need time to take it to the next level, that being sexually, but I was going to save that for last.

And finally, I wanted him to know, even though I fell down on the job yesterday evening, he could count on me to be there for him with all he was learning, and what might come of it.

I was too freaked out and nervous to order lunch, so when a member of staff came to collect me (this one I’d actually seen before—one thing was certain, if (now, it was when) I actually became queen of this castle, I was going to have a look at the staffing because this was a big place, but the level of staff was ridiculous), I was tense and jumpy.

I was no less so, in fact I was much more so by the time we traversed the space from one wing of the castle to the other, and I was shown into Tanyn’s study.

It was bigger than the queen’s, decorated in the deepest purples with black accents.

We hadn’t toured this room yesterday. It was the only room with dark décor I’d seen.

And it was filled with beings, including Nayden and Mira.

“A moment, Catla,” Tanyn bid when I arrived, affording me only a scant glance.

That stung, but I’d wounded his pride.

I had to take it and anything else he delivered so he could get over it.

“Of course,” I mumbled and moved to a seating area with two wine-leather-covered chesterfields facing each other.

“So we’re agreed. More information is needed before we share anything,” Tanyn was saying. “Focus on today’s business and what might result from that. Yes?”

“Yes, sire,” Mira said.

“Great,” Tanyn replied.

And apparently that was that, because everyone milled out, Mira with a small, polite but distracted smile aimed my way, Nayden with a desultory chin dip, also my way.

I moved to stand in front of Tanyn’s desk and initiated the opening gambit I’d practiced.

“Hey. I’ve checked the tapes and heard nothing so far. How did the vote go?”

I was talking about the tax changes. The vote was today.

And I knew that was important to him, so I thought maybe starting with it, hoping it was good news, might set me up for all the rest.

“They’re still debating it on the floor.” He used his head to indicate the chairs in front of his desk. “Please take a seat.”