Page 12 of The Shadows Between Us
I put my back to where the king disappeared and instead focus on the other forms in the garden.
Oh.
The ladies at court—they’re dressed in head-to-toe black. Not a speck of green in sight.
They’re imitating me from last night. How did I not notice this immediately?
I caught the eye of the king. He asked me to dance, and now he was seen talking with me in the orchards. People are staring openly at me now. And—
And a group of older lords and ladies is walking toward me. There are five of them, each somewhere in their forties or fifties, I expect. They look important. I can tell by the way they don’t spare glances at anyone else around them, the way individuals move for them to pass.
And in the way other people who were about to approach me halt to let these five reach me first.
“Lady Alessandra Stathos, isn’t it?” the man at the front of the group asks, holding out a hand. “My name is Ikaros Vasco. I am the head of the king’s council.”
I offer my hand, and he bows over it with a head of hair more white than brown. Lord Vasco has aged well, save for wrinkles about his eyes.
“Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Vasco.”
He doesn’t bother to introduce the rest of his companions, who must be the other advisers to the king.
“I’m afraid I don’t know much about you,” he says when he rights himself. “Second daughter to an earl. Never seen in society until last night. Although there are a few gentlemen at court who claim to know you, having done business with your father.”
He’s looked into me. Gone digging into my background. Of course he did. It’s his job to know everything he can about those whom the king spends his time with. The real question is, was the king the one who ordered my past looked into? Or is the council acting on its own?
“I’m afraid you have the law to blame for that,” I answer honestly. “My sister just became engaged. I wasn’t permitted to attend events until recently. The only people I’ve had a chance to meet are those whom my father does business with.”
“And their sons, it would seem.”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
“I found it rather curious that none of the ladies at court have ever heard of you. I mean, your sister was here at the last ball. She stayed at court. Made friends. And yet she never once mentioned you. It’s like you didn’t exist then.”
I smile politely as a lead weight rests at the bottom of my stomach. Trust Chrysantha to cause problems without even being here. Once again.
“And yet,” Vasco continues, “Myron Calligaris and Orrin, Lord Eliades, say they know you. They had a lot to say about you, in fact. Eliades couldn’t speak enough on your charms.” Vasco makes a face. “Calligaris had… other things to say about your character.”
I’ll bet he did. Myron is still bitter over my rejection.
My sister and my gentlemen friends are painting a horrible picture of me without even saying anything damning against me. But I can fix this.
“I’m afraid Lord Calligaris had asked my father for permission to court mebeforemy sister was engaged. As a law-abiding gentleman, my father was obliged to refuse his request.” I let my face fall into a look of sadness. “I’m afraid Lord Calligaris blames me for it. Can you believe it? It’s as though he has no respect for those who set and carry out our kingdom’s laws.”
Which, of course, would be the five men and women before me.
Lord Vasco nods with new understanding. “Indeed. I shall have to revisit my earlier conversation with him.”
And before then, I shall have to remind Myron about what will happen should he divulge the nature of our previous acquaintance. Ladies aren’t permitted lovers before marriage. Just one of the many laws I will change once I’m sitting on the throne.
Just a hint of a rumor like that would ruin me and all my plans.
“Do enjoy your time at court, Lady Stathos,” Vasco says. “I’m sure you will be happy to see many old faces, but might I suggest—if you’re hoping to spend more time with the king, that is—that you make somefemalefriends. Hmm? And perhaps try for some more traditional attire?” He looks down at my clothes with some distaste.
“I already have female friends, Lord Vasco. Perhaps you didn’t question as many ladies as you ought to have at court.”
“Is that so?” he asks.
“Yes, if you will excuse me.”
