Page 78 of The Shrouded Queen
Once I was sure they weren’t coming back, I staggered forward and held on to the long wooden table as I shuffled through the hall. There were only a handful of people in there, and they were all too busy with getting things ready to pay me any mind.
I ducked behind the throne and slid my hand along the wall, which went from wood to stone as I ventured closer to Rade’s room.
I paused. Keir’s enhanced hearing would certainly catch me if I continued sliding along, panting as I was. I forced my breathing to even out and pushed away from the wall. My knees groaned, and I had to work to keep them steady.
Then I was beside Rade’s door, a hand over my mouth to further muffle my breaths.
Luckily, their conversation was heated enough that they didn’t hear me.
“What do you want me to do?” Rade was demanding.
“Something,”Keir responded. “Take her back to the Seer—”
“That’s not how it works and you know it.”
“A priestess, then. Have one of them examine her. Her scent isn’t—”
“It’s a bit strange, don’t you think, Keir? That none of the other Seven share your concerns. Not the priestess, the healer, or the Seer, either.”
“Bain agrees with me.”
“Bain says the opposite of whatever Velka does.”
“Fine, but we don’t knowwhatthe Seer said. You should’ve let us listen—”
“What is your goal here, Keir?”
His First scoffed. “What?”
“We need her. You know that.Youbrought her here. If her scent offends you, then plug your damn nose.”
“That’s not what I—” Keir sighed heavily, and silence descended. I imagined they were having a stare-off. “I am trying to protect you, my king. To protectallof us. You know what happened the last time her kind was here.”
“Look around, Keir,” Rade replied tiredly. “Do you see an army?”
“Not yet.”
There was a heavy pause. “Have you chosen someone?”
Silence.
Rade sighed. “You don’t want me to pick his replacement andyoudon’t want to do it. Should we leave it up to Ketet?” Sarcasm dripped from his words.
Keir tried, “Why does it have to be seven? Just tell me that and I’ll do it.” There was no answer. “Rade, the six of us work just as well—”
“Always questioning, Keir. And when you’re not questioning me, you’re undermining me. I can’t even pick my own inner circle for fear you’llmurderthem.”
“Bain had—”
“Thank you,” Rade cut him off again, voice sharp as a blade. “Your concerns have been heard.” A dismissal.
As quietly as I could, I turned and started to hobble back to my room, step by limping step, going as fast as I could while remaining quiet.
I had just made it to the throne when Rade and Keir came storming in. Keir stopped in front of me, eyes menacing, so different from the heated stare when he’d smelled my runes. “What are you doing?”
My breaths were labored, and sweat dotted my forehead. I felt like I’d run a mile. Which I hoped helped make my words believable when I said, “I was looking for the healer.”
Rade put his hand on Keir’s shoulder, firm and commanding, and gave me a kind smile. “I’ll find her for you. Keir will help you back to bed.”
