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Just as Ophelia had said the event was ten times greater than what they had originally planned for it to be. And all of it got done overnight. The warlocks received very little sleep as they’d been put to work either trying to make sense of what had happened to her guard or creating this lavish carnival.

Turned out that her guard had ended up dead. His body had washed up along the river in another town where a warlock tracked him.What a shame, Queen Sienna thought. Now that cowardly little man was taking over. How had he been appointed number two in the whole guard? The thought was fleeting.

Sienna had nearly doubled the guard and even though the warlocks were quite exhausted she had several of them walking around with orders to look into any manner of magic or spells that might raise their suspicions. She knew not all the warlocks were nearly as loyal as her guard. Still, she hoped that they would listen, more so she hoped that they were afraid because if she found out that they had played any part in any plan against her, she would strike them down herself.

Queen Sienna took a long breath and stepped out of the castle into the gardens that led out to the courtyard. She'd been outfitted with a yellow summer gown today, no hoops in it to create any such illusions, and delicate lace sleeves that hung from her shoulders. It was relatively breezy for a long dress. She was thankful for that on a day as warm as this.

"They're waiting to run the big wheel until you get the first ride," Ophelia reminded the queen.

“Have my suitors found their way outside yet?" Today she’d have to narrow her choices down to two or three as the council had suggested. That meant a couple of these suitors’ stay at the castle had come to an end.

"Yes, all except Mr. McHaynes. Actually, here he comes now,” Ophelia said seconds before light footsteps quickly approached behind them.

"Seems I'm a little late this morning,” Jack said, with a cough to clear his throat. "Or maybe I'm just incredibly…lucky. What is this I hear of the queen needing a ride on the big wheel? Would you like a partner?"

Those sky blue eyes of his took time roaming over the queen. She grinned as he looked at her with the sort of adoration she wanted. Jack looked playful in his cream-colored trousers with a white linen top that remained slightly unbuttoned showing off a patch of blonde chest hair.

"You're just the man I'm looking for." She purred so cheerfully that even Ophelia lost her composure for a second and gave the queen a look of shock.

Jack practically glowed at the comment and quickly offered the queen his elbow.

Together they walked through the crowd. The queen nodded occasionally, holding her staff off the ground. There were more men than she could count vying for attention. They murmured well wishes as she passed hoping to snag her attention one way or another. Of course, there were other less important guests…married couples, some with dogs on leashes and others with giggling children.

Queen Sienna was surprised to see the suitors that had stayed at the castle all grouped together as if they’d become close friends. They were at some sort of contraption where they swung a large hammer on a platform that launched a metal piece into the air up to a waiting bell. Leo had his sleeves rolled up, his skin glistening with sweat as he swung the hammer down. The bell trilled loudly as the metal made contact. The queen let go of Jack's arm so she could clap for him.

Leo turned suddenly at the noise, stumbling into his bow. “You are too kind, my Queen."

The group of suitors walked forward, all except Hollis who leaned against the edge of the booth and said nothing. He sure did know how to act mysterious.

"Are you enjoying yourselves?” she asked them, to which they responded with a chorus of agreement. "Good. I'm hoping to get time with each and every one of you today. So don't worry yourselves too much.” She made sure Hollis could see her and she ran her hand over Leo's exposed bicep. Stepping back into Jack's arm again, Sienna pointed up toward the big wheel. "I'm ready to kick this day off and forget about yesterday!"

Queen Sienna hated this odd sort of persona she had to put on to find herself a husband. It was like falling back into her old self in some sort of way. She pretended to be cheerful and happy but everyone knew she was dangerous now. A killer. A threat.

Below the big wheel, three wooden steps led up to a platform used to climb into one of the seats that moved around the wheel. A gentleman stood there attending the ride and when the queen and Jack were situated in their seats, he lowered the bar over their laps wishing them a wonderful ride. The contraption made a grinding noise as it started to move and the couple was lifted skyward.

Sienna clung to the bar and tried to look straight ahead without glancing down. Her feet rested on a ledge under them but she still couldn't help but think how high up they were going to be. Jack noticed the way she gripped the bar with white knuckles.

"Nervous, my Queen?” he asked.

She laughed, the noise too high-pitched. "I might not betoofond of heights.”

"Oh I see." Jack looked down and then around them. "We are quite high," he whispered, "Would this be a good chance for me to get to hold your hand?"

Sienna laughed but this time it was more genuine. "I suppose this would be a fine time to hold my hand. She made no move to peel her grip from the bar, still allowing Jack to rest his hand on top of hers.

"And would it also be a fine time for me to tell you a little bit about myself? Perhaps that might distract you?"

Sienna ground her teeth, hating how much heights bothered her. "I'm not sure what I would need distracting from. Seeing as I'm perfectly fine.” Nothing she said sounded at all believable.

"You're right, my Queen there's nothing to distract you from, I was just looking for an excuse for you to get to know me."

The wheel came to a stop at the very top as they allowed more passengers to get on. The queen swore as she felt the blood drain from her face. Jack rubbed his thumb against the side of her palm. It was almost soothing enough for her to open her eyes, but she couldn't.

Sienna hadn’t even realized she’d closed her eyes.

“My father is a baker. One of the most successful bakers here in Maipeg."

“Oh?" the queen asked, wondering if he had been the one she’d invited to the castle to bake for her events.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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