Page 21 of Queen’s Gambit

The Lumivitae waited until their path was clear, then dawdled so deliberately I’d bet anything they were paying us back for making them wait.

‘Reynard, such a pleasure to be invited to your quaint little castle,’ Prince Iasno’ta drawled, glancing at Riordan and me before focusing solely on the king. ‘What is it this time? You want to steal another kingdom? I hear the dwarves are already under your control.’ He gestured to his herald and Lily. The man straightened proudly, while my friend stood meekly, head down, looking more like a beautiful marble statue than a living woman. ‘As per your request, I brought along my subordinate.’

Reynard smiled, motioning me closer.

‘I’m pleased to see my future queen’s dearest friend has joined our celebration. Thank you for indulging my whims. I hope your herald won’t mind the ladies taking a little time to catch up later?’

‘Your Majesty, I object…’ Lily’s husband protested, but the prince raised a hand.

‘Lilliana is at your betrothed’s disposal. They can gossip to their hearts’ content while we discuss politics. Women are easily bored, anyway.’

The Dark Fae laughed and shook their heads at the prince’s remark, and my budding regard bloomed into full approval. They might look terrifying, but at least they weren’t misogynistic shits spouting nonsense.

I took a step forward, using the opportunity to embrace her. To find out why her eyes looked so empty. Before I could take a second step, the doors burst inwards. Gniev strode through with two orcs flanking him, heading straight to the dais and forcing the Lumivitae to head to their chairs.

I cursed under my breath, turning to the chieftain. ‘It’s a pleasure to see you again, Tain. I hope you had a good night’s sleep?’

The orc looked at me, then at Rey, and shrugged. ‘The bed was too soft, but at least the floor was warm. We managed. I came at your summons, King Dagome. What would you ask of me?’

‘Enjoy our hospitality, and we’ll talk tomorrow,’ Rey answered, gesturing to the chairs.

I was only half-listening, my gaze fixed on Lilliana. She sat on her chair, hands folded on her lap, not moving, barely blinking. The lively, opinionated friend I knew wasn’t there.

The orcs sat down, dwarfing the ornate chairs with their massive presence. More guests entered the room, mostly Dagome nobles here to celebrate the day of the thunder—Gromnitsa. Reynard greeted them all, exchanging pleasantries before servants guided them to their places. The room slowly filled with the low hum of conversation, the temperature rising as the welcoming ceremony drew towards its end.

I couldn’t wait for it to finish. Lily hadn’t moved an inch, seemingly ignoring the world around her. Even if she was acting, posing as an obedient Lumivitae wife, her stillness was unnatural. Something was wrong with my friend, and I had to find out what.

‘Where are they?’ Reynard whispered, dragging my attention back to the king. He was still smiling and greeting people, but tension pulled at his shoulders, his eyes darting to the doors.

An empty row of seats waited at the back, and as the stream of people thinned, it became obvious that one delegation was still missing. The Tangrians. The people Rey planned to deceive with sweet talk and pretence until we figured out how to disarm the pillars.

‘I’m sure it’s just the weather,’ I answered. ‘You saw them travelling towards Truso.’

Rey sighed. ‘They should be here already. I don’t want enemies wandering around my kingdom.’ He gestured to a guard, who approached us and saluted. ‘Send patrols into the city and ensure anyone under the Tangrian banner makes their way to the palace.’

When heads turned in our direction, I smiled. ‘I should have thought about it earlier. We wouldn’t want our guests to miss dinner.’

I wanted to wrap my arms around him, ease the frown between his eyebrows, but we were still in the audience room, with every eye on us.

Another half-hour passed. Rey and Riordan exchanged looks and the Royal Mage left. The king stayed, engaging others in friendly conversation. With no sign of the Tangrian delegation, those gathered grew impatient. I couldn’t blame them. I could barely focus. My need to go to Lily and pull her to my chambers overshadowed everything else.

Nothing drew her attention to me. Not even the hand language she taught the House of Lillies. Reynard sent me an apologetic look, noticing me shifting away from the dais and closer to the Lumivitae, but Lily was surrounded. I couldn’t get close without engaging Prince Iasno’ta or the other fae.

I wasn’t ready for this. I was a girl from the steppe, raised by criminals. How could I sit on Dagome’s throne? It was time to pivot, to use Reynard’s authority to force Lily’s husband into releasing her into my care.

‘Your Majesty, since our friends and allies are all here, I think it’s time to end the welcoming ceremony. Everyone must be tired after their long journeys,’ I said, trying to sound natural, maybe even a little spoiled. ‘Why don’t you invite the men to sample that brandy you’re so proud of, while I take the ladies to the salon? They can refresh themselves while servants prepare their rooms.’

It was a blatant lie, as the rooms had been ready for the last two days. Our guests didn’t need to know that. Since the Wind Master fae were the only other delegation with females, I had a reasonably small group to handle whilst helping Lily. The standoffish fae wouldn’t be interested in what two women were chatting about in the corner.

Rey nodded and began the final part of his greeting, thanking everyone and presenting the celebration schedule.

I listened half-heartedly, having already memorised it from his practising in our bedroom. Once finished, the dedicated servants came to assist each delegation.

Lily stood up, and I walked towards the light fae, but as I approached, her husband, the Herald of the Lumivitae, grabbed Lily’s neck and pulled her in for a long, brutal kiss.

I gasped, unable and unwilling to turn my head from the scene. Lily, who’d never let a man touch her without permission, softened in the herald’s arms. She didn’t fight, simply closed her eyes and let him.

Her hands lay limp at her sides like a marionette whose strings had been cut.

That was so wrong, utterly, inexplicably wrong, but I couldn’t fathom what to do. The curtain snapped behind me, lost in the noise of shuffling feet as everybody moved to leave.

All I could do was step into death’s path as Irsha stalked from the alcove with his dagger aimed at the herald’s heart.