Page 5 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

I was finally alone.

Some while later a knock sounded on my door. I hoped it wasn’t my ladies maid, Krissa, again. Twice I had sent her away since I had arrived. Stars bless the girl for trying, but I didn’t want her assistance right now. I didn’t need her to draw my bathwater or brush my hair. I had grown up accustomed to the company of ladies maids growing up, but I hadn’t had one of my own in years, I preferred it that way.

I trudged across my room to the closed door, swinging itopen with force, prepared to give Krissa a piece of my mind this time for failing to stay away until I called upon her.

But when I opened the door it wasn’t the female standing there. It was a dark-haired winged male.

“Declan,” I stammered. “What are you doing here?”

The harpy’s golden eyes narrowed. “I live here, or did you forget?”

“I mean here, at my door.”

His voice softened slightly. “I’m here to escort you to see King Alro.”

I moved to shut the door, but he was quicker, blocking it with one of his massive arms.

“Fuck,” I murmured as I continued my attempt to push the door shut, throwing my entire body against the door.

“I figured you wouldn’t be agreeable. That’s precisely why I volunteered to come get you. ”

I gave up, the harpy was practically a brick wall. I left Declan in the doorway, turning my back to him, and crossed the room towards the sitting room, taking a seat in one of the oversized chairs.

“It’s not that I don’t want to go see the king, it’s—I’m not ready yet.”

“Well, let me prepare you.” He tucked in his wings and sat on the couch across from me. “King Arlo has been waiting for the moment he finally gets to meet you. All he wants to do is meet you, to have a conversation. You have nothing to be worried about.”

“I’m not worried.”

Declan cocked his head and raised a single dark brow. “Even if you were, I’d be right outside the door the entire time,” he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “That’s why I wasn’t there to greet you when you arrived. I was waiting with Arlo for your arrival.”

I said nothing, opting instead to toy with a loose string on one of the decorative pillows.

“Luka and Nico were meant to greet you in the grand hall.” My hand stilled on the thread. “You arrived sooner than we anticipated, Luka was out when you arrived, but he was going to be here. He wanted to be here. He should be back soon.”

Why was he telling me this? Why did he care? This wasn’t the Declan I was used to, I was certain this might have been the most Declan had ever spoken to me directly. Before everything had transpired that day in Alethens, we had become friends—kind of. We were friendly at least. I assumed when things dissolved between Luka and I, it meant I lost Declan and Nico as well. I didn’t expect this—this felt like he was looking out for me.

“Fine.” I stood, running my hands over my crimson dress. “Take me to see the King.”

4

LENNOX

“How is Kara?” Declan guided me through the palace to the king’s study.

“She’s—fine.” I hesitated.

“She’s fine?” Declan glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “And how would you know that? From what I hear you two haven’t been speaking much.”

“How would you know?” Was it possible Declan had spies in the Star Court? Keeping an eye on me and Kara?

“She told me.”

My head snapped toward him. “She told you? Kara told you we haven’t been speaking?”

Declan nodded, unfazed as he continued to lead me through the dark marbled hallway.

“She started sending me letters shortly after we left the Star Court.”

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