Page 98 of On Silver Winds
By the way she said it, he imagined she had heard that a lot.
Kai shook his head once, firmly.
“I know a little something about inheriting a crown you never wanted.”
Adeline buried her head in his chest, and for an awful moment he thought she was crying. But her breath was shuddering not with tears but nervous laughter as she whispered; “Well, I wish you’d told me that sooner.”
He grabbed her gently by the shoulders and she let him lean her backwards so they were eye to eye once more. “Adeline?”
She lifted her chin higher, and her eyes gleamed.
“Mareda’s brought forth her own worst nightmare.” She grinned savagely, and for a wild moment Kai wanted to press his lips to the pointed edges of that smile. But he waited, barely breathing, because he knew. Somehow he knew what she would say next.
“I’ve announced my campaign as Heir.”
Chapter 32
Adeline
Heir.
The word –the title– followed Adeline around, slipping from shadow to shadow and whispering its warm breath in her ear. Some of the whispers were real, of course. Courtiers and palace staff alike, watching her as she walked the halls and gardens, the news of her declaration passing between them in hushed voices.
Yet again, Adeline marvelled at the speed with which gossip travelled in her mother’s palace. She had told Kai right away of course, Ger and Imogen not long after, but without a formal announcement the only other people who should have known were those who had been in the room at the time.
After that dreadful Council meeting, Selma had called her daughters forward as the councillors filed out of the room.
“Stop. I want to speak to you two. Alone.”
But Edward had moved to Mareda’s side, and Silas immediately went to Adeline. The Queen glared at them both, but allowed it. Sebastian, future King that he was, did not move from his seat. So, it was to be a family meeting. They all gathered by the Queen’s side, exchanging hard stares while the room slowly emptied out. Adeline had watched Kai close the door behind him, only briefly meeting her eye. He looked exhausted – no, more than that; weary. As the latch clicked behind him, the Queen hissed out a furious breath.
“What,” she demanded, “is the meaning of all this?”
Adeline had simply stared at the closed door; let Mareda speak first, since she had so much to say.
“I wanted to establish the King’s loyalties, mother,” Mareda said quietly.
Adeline couldn’t help herself. She whirled from the door. “That is not your place.”
Silas placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, but the Queen seemed to agree, even if she stiffened at the outburst.
“Your sister makes a valid point. Do you think me incapable of vetting my allies, daughter?”
Mareda dipped her chin, deferential for a moment. Then she lifted it high and stared their mother down, for what Adeline was sure must have been the first time ever.
“Of course not. But respectfully, Your Majesty, I don’t think you’re immune to their charms. Nor, as it happens, is Adeline.”
Every eye in the room landed on Adeline. Her father’s hand dropped from her shoulder.
Adeline’s cheeks blazed.
“Adeline?” said the Queen.
She side-stepped the question that hung between them. She wouldn’t have known how to answer it even if she wanted to; and she did not want to.
“Is that what this is about?” Adeline half-whispered, staring at her sister. “That spiteful little scene was supposed to humiliateme?”
“You are a Princess of Eisalaan, Adeline. Perhaps in the past you could get away with these careless little affairs, but King Cumhaill is a good deal more prominent than the low-ranking Gards you normally favour.”
