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Chapter7
My hand shook as I stretched it out and balled it into a fist. There was no reason to be this nervous. No reason to have any fear coiling in my gut.
But the queen requesting my presence was definitely not good.
I rationalized the fear inside me down slightly by reminding myself that she asked to meet me in the throne room, not her private quarters. So the king, at the very least, would be present. And nothing too awful could happen if the king was here. It’s not like she could scream off with her head with an audience.
Besides, I didn’t do anything. Not this time at least. And I hadn’t been flouncing around with Noah either; rumor or not, we’d barely seen each other. So she had absolutely no reason to be throwing her warnings and anger my way.
Knock, Cora. Just knock.
If I took too much longer, she might send out a search party.
Gently, I tapped on the solid golden doors that led to the throne room three times before yanking my hand back to my side.
The doors opening instantly, and two guards walked forward, pivoting quickly to flank me as I entered the great room.
The royal-blue carpet shimmered as I moved down its long path toward the thrones that sat at the end, on top of a solid marble slab.
Three magnificent thrones were perched on top. The king’s was, of course, the highest, with blue cushioned backing. It was simple yet powerful in how it stood, not needing much frill to get its point across.
The queen’s throne had a variety of gold flowers crossing at the top and cascading down either side of her blue cushioned back. It was all spectacle, still breathtaking, but with beauty distracting from the power that the throne held.
And then the prince’s throne. Noah’s was a mixture of symbols of a circle with lines through it, plants, and flowers. And flames. I recalled him saying Unseelie pulled their strength from earth and fire elements before the magic had diminished so much in this world. And his throne represented both the beauty of earth and the power of fire. Bringing everything together like he did in the way he chose to lead.
Looking at the empty thrones, my heart tightened and I thought I might gag.
Noah was not here. The king was not here.
The only throne that held an occupant was the queen’s. My audience was alone with her after all.
She sat on her throne, staring me down like I was her prey as I approached, or more accurately was “escorted” toward her. Queen Eleanor’s lips pinched together like she was sucking on something sour. Or maybe my very presence was sour enough to do it to her.
She waved them away once I was near enough for her to speak without having to shout across the room.
“Ms. Fray,” she stated.
I curtsied, addressing Her Majesty with one as low as I could manage without tipping over.
“It seems as though my warnings have gone unheeded.”
Looking up at her from my position of honor didn’t help me understand what on earth she was talking about.
“Your Majesty?”
The queen sat straighter in her throne, this time leaning forward slightly with a sparkle in her eye that I knew was bad for me.
“You were reminded on many occasions to remember your place here. It seems you continue to forget.” She paused, maybe waiting to see if her words meant something. Still they didn’t.
At least that I knew of, I’d done nothing that could have pissed her off lately. Unless you counted spending time with the king, or Noah getting me my own far too expensive telescope in a private area of the garden. I swallowed uncomfortably in the presence of the queen, thinking about the latest ways I’d grown closer to the royal family, realizing she must be speaking about that.
“That will all cease now that Noah’s betrothed has arrived. And you are expected to fall in line at once.” She smiled widely now.
“Betrothed?” I asked, unable to hide the surprise and a slight amount of hurt in my voice.
She raised her eyebrow at me, and I bowed my head.
How were they engaged already? Why? How could he?
