Page 28 of Queen’s Gambit

Chapter 9

Roksana

Lily stared through me. Vacant, beautiful as a porcelain doll. She stood by the table, a wineglass in her hand, but it never once touched her lips.

We were in my private chambers. I’d prepared them for the occasion, bringing in soft cushions and tables laden with snacks and fashionable delicacies. Fae lights cast a gentle glow, softening the laugh lines noblewomen sometimes hid with powder.

Irsha stood by the door, playing the role of guard, but his hands kept peeling the leaves from my plants. I doubted he noticed the debris under his feet or that he looked at the Wind Master Fae as if he wanted to throw them out the crystalline windows to see if they could really fly.

There were maybe twenty people in the room, since I’d invited Inga Tivala and the noblewomen from Dagome’s court. It was enough to hide my odd behaviour, but not enough to slip away without raising questions.

‘Sana, how can I help?’ Annika came closer. I chewed the inside of my cheek as my future sister-in-law looked at me with those kind hazel eyes. ‘You’re unsettled, and your friend is taking on that acacia like it’s his personal nemesis. There’s clearly something amiss. So, how can I help?’

I swallowed hard. Could I trust a woman I’d only met yesterday, or should I deal with everything myself? The latter was my preference, the Brotherhood way, but Annika was family, and Rey trusted her.

‘The Lumivitae Fae. I need to talk to her alone. She’s my friend, but something happened and…’ My throat tightened, and my eyes glazed with tears, revealing my vulnerability to a complete stranger. It took me by surprise, but after one deep, cleansing breath, then another, I was finally able to speak. ‘If you have a way to empty this room, I’m all ears.’

Annika grinned, shaking her head. ‘I have something better.’

She picked up a goblet of cherry juice, which looked suspiciously like wine, and ambled towards Lily. Her steps changed as she moved, from agile and confident to a pregnant waddle until she stumbled, the red liquid flying towards Lilliana while Annika grabbed the nearest elbow.

‘Oh gods, Lady Annika, are you alright?’ Several women flocked around Ani, who was fanning herself, acting like a dying swan. Only I caught her covert smirk as she nodded towards Lilliana, then gasped and moaned, letting the ladies fuss over her.

Irsha was already there. I didn’t know how or when he moved, but as I turned my head, he was already holding Lily’s hand, wrapping it around his forearm, pulling her towards the wash chamber.

‘I… I’m fine. I’m sorry for the trouble,’ Lily protested weakly, and for good measure, I grabbed her other arm.

‘Danka, with me. Now!’ I ground out through gritted teeth as Lily struggled, her body stiffening the farther we dragged her from the others. ‘I need my potions.’

‘There’s no time for that,’ Irsha snapped, pressing his thumb to the base of Lily’s neck.

Her muscles went lax from the pressure on the nerve bundle. We had a few minutes, and I intended to use them productively. The bathroom door couldn’t lock fast enough. I forced the bolt while Irsha scooped Lily into his arms and sat next to the vanity table.

‘Lily, kochana moja, powiedz cos,’ he whispered, kissing her pale cheeks. My heart broke for him. Irsha only used his mother’s dialect when overwhelmed, revealing the guttersnipe Boyan had saved from starvation.

A slap echoed off the tiled walls, stunning me. Lily pulled away. There was no anger on her face, no disgust, or any feeling I could associate with being kissed against her will.

‘I need to return to my husband. He’s waiting for me,’ she said, but the tone and cadence weren’t hers. Lily sounded like a mockingbird, and I’d had enough.

‘Lilliana Ordon, you will tell me what’s going on and what kind of game you’re playing. If not, I’ll drag Riordan in here to eviscerate your mind,’ I snapped.

We were alone, so there was no need for courtly manners. This was her one and only chance to prove this behaviour was her choice.

‘Forgive me, I must return to my husband,’ she repeated, moving toward the door.

‘Fuck. Hold her, Blade,’ I touched my temples. It wasn’t the best practice, but it helped me channel my thoughts into one powerful mental scream I blasted across the palace. Riordan! Find me. Now!

Irsha’s arms wrapped around Lily, immobilising her with relentless strength. He pressed her to his body, murmuring sweet nonsense while she silently fought back, nails raking his bronze skin in an attempt to free herself.

It was the longest wait of my life. The quiet knock echoed like thunder, my startled flinch eliciting a harsh curse. My friends didn’t even react—one still fighting while the other sat there, taking hits and scratches with a stoic gentleness that contradicted his large, deadly body.

‘My lady, the Royal Mage is here and insists I allow him access to your privy.’ Danka’s voice sounded uncertain, but to her credit, she didn’t comment when I yanked the door open.

Riordan looked slightly dishevelled, with Tova on his heels, both pushing into the bathroom while glaring at me.

‘What in the love of all gods was that, Roksana?’ Riordan said. ‘I thought you were dying.’

I pointed to Lily. ‘That’s the emergency. Get into her head. Tell me what they did to her!’ I dragged him closer, pretending I didn’t notice how he paled.