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She inclined her chin. “I shall send word. Is there anything else?”
Checking that Parys was not actively chewing or drinking, I turned back to Cyara and nodded. “Yes. Summon Lyrena. I wish to go for a stroll through the palace.”
* * *
Lyrena walked right past me.
I’d allowed Charis and Carly to drape me in silk and chiffon, a deep fuchsia gown gathered at my shoulders with gold clips and cinched at my waist with a gold-braid belt. They had frowned when I insisted on adding the twin scabbards, but I was loath to go anywhere without my daggers. At least the scabbards Arthur had gifted me with on our twentieth birthday were heavily jeweled.
I even sat and let them twist my hair into a more-ornate-than-usual braid, threaded with strands of garnet and mother of pearl that made my moon-white hair shimmer. I didn’t think of myself as vain, but even I could admire the effect in the mirror. I looked like a queen, even if I would never feel like one.
It would serve my purpose today. After making such a scene in the throne room, I needed to be seen around the goldstone palace as composed and regal. I needed Arran to see me and think I was unmoved by our interactions—both adversarial and sexual. But mostly, I needed to convince Lyrena.
But it felt awkward and strange. I’d been so deep in my grief for so long, I’d been unable to think of anything but food, fucking, and revenge. The grief had not gone. No, it was there in the pit of my stomach, deep and black and demanding. But it had sharpened into a blade that I would wield against my enemies. Starting with the human hidden away in the castle dungeons.
Apparently, it was strange for Lyrena as well. For when she entered my chambers, tall and confident in her uniform, she strode right through the antechamber and knocked on the bedroom door.
“Prompt as ever,” I said drolly from the corner, where I sipped the tea that Cyara had brewed earlier. Sweet and delicious, if lacking in any of the intoxicating properties I preferred.
Lyrena did not jump. She was much too well trained for that. As she turned, her impish smile was already in place.
“Finally dragged your lazy bones out of the bed?” Lyrena said, grinning.
Gold gleamed in the corner of her mouth—she’d added a cap to one of her teeth. She was studded in gold from head to toe, woven into her long golden braid, capping the toes of her boots. On anyone else, it would have been garish. But Lyrena had always seemed to shine with an internal light that her penchant for gilding only enhanced.
“My lazy bones thrashed you in the training yard last time, if I recall,” I said, unfolding myself to stand. I set aside my tea. “Care to have another go?”
Lyrena raked her gaze over me, appraising. “In that gown?”
I flicked the skirt to show the high slit. “I can move just fine,” I said, fingering the hilt of one dagger. The temptation to spar was strong; I hadn’t trained yet today. But I had other reasons for summoning Lyrena.
“I’m at your service, Your Majesty,” Lyrena said with an irreverent half bow.
A heavy male sound came from the door to the corridor—Gawayn, clearing his throat. I rolled my eyes.
“You must drive him to distraction,” I said with a conspiratorial whisper I was certain the head of my Goldstones could still hear perfectly well.
Lyrena’s grin stretched wider still. “Someone has to keep him from getting too old and crotchety.”
“Little chance of that.” I nodded toward the door, indicating that Lyrena should follow.
As soon as I stepped out into the corridor, Gawayn fell into place as well. Two Goldstones, one at each flank, every time I stepped out of this door. But that could not happen today.
“I will take a circuit through the courtyards and return directly,” I said to Gawayn over my shoulder. “Lyrena shall accompany me.”
Lyrena huffed a laugh. Gawayn breathed in sharply, ready to argue.
I watched his face, waiting for him to argue. For a moment, he reminded me of my father. The sandy blonde with shots of gray was not the same as my golden-haired father, but the tiredness in his eyes… that I had seen so often when he visited me in the water gardens. Gawayn had been Captain of Arthur’s Goldstones before me, and my father’s before that.
Unfailing loyalty to the Pendragon line.
Which meant when I gave an order, he would follow it. Even if he disagreed.
“When should I expect your return, Your Majesty?” he asked, voice heavy with resignation.
“No more than an hour, I’m certain,” I said, setting off before he could change his mind.
I hoped it would not take that long to wheedle the information I needed out of Lyrena. But in the court of the elemental fae, who knew what would happen in the next hour.
