Page 39 of The Witch Queen

“What do you mean? I’ve barely interacted with them. I couldn’t possibly provide an opinion,” I say as my cheeks heat. He only gives me a knowing smile.

“I’ve found them to be different from what I expected,” he offers. “The Prince in particular is not who he’s been depicted as. Much like yourself.” Now his eyes practically bore into my soul, and I squirm.

“Do you think his betrothal to Miss Kalmeera is political only?” I blurt out, absolutely horrified by the question.

Admon considers thoughtfully. “The Kalmeera family is powerful in Velmara, second only to the Vicants themselves. A marriage between the two families would have political benefits for both King Mazus and Prince Hawthorne. It’s certainly a carefully considered strategic match. Whether that means it’s not also an engagement founded in love and affection, I cannot say. The two of them seem very close, though I rarely see any public displays of affection between them. Why do you ask?” Once again, his eyes sparkle, and I have to turn my face away from his to hide my reddening cheeks.

“Only curious, is all. Like you said, they seem close, but the Prince is a shameless flirt, and that doesn’t seem to bother Silene.”

“I see,” is all he says, the words filled with too much knowing. “Laurel, may I give you some advice?”

“Of course.” Admon doesn’t need to ask to counsel me.

“I disagreed with your parents’ decision to keep your magic hidden. Argued strongly with them, in fact. It was ultimately their choice, and I got behind it, as that is the role of an advisor. But it pained me—still pains me—to see how closed off and afraid of the world their warnings made you.” My body is frozen, unable to do anything but look at Admon as he makes this confession. I’m not sure where he’s going with it, not sure if I want to hear the advice that’s coming, but I listen intently to the male who has always been my teacher. “My advice is this—don’t let their warnings about whatmighthappen if the world sees how brightly you shine scare you away from forming real relationships and alliances with the Velmaran Prince and his entourage. I sense something special in them, and I think you do too. Be cautious and smart, of course. But there may be a real alliance there if you set aside the stoicism and secrecy you think you have to hold on to.” My mouth hangs open slightly at his words. I consciously close my jaw. What am I supposed to say to that? Admon sees right through to the absolute core of who I am, and I don’t know how I feel about that. Before I can muster a reply, he stands and stretches. “Well, I’ve bothered you long enough for one day. Thank you for the tea.”

I walk him out, my mind racing as I close the door behind him. The mist barrier pricks at my consciousness, a subtle alert that someone needs to exit or enter Thayaria.Merchants. Good. All is well, it whispers to me, and I grant the access needed to whoever is trying to cross the wall.

Once again, I’m reminded of the way the mist whispered to me when the Velmarans entered Thayaria.Good. Trust. Light. Home.Somehow, I got the feeling that it was sighing in relief as they crossed. Shaking my head, I try to push thoughts of Hawthorne and Admon’s counsel aside, but my thoughts won’t stop swirling. Hawthorne offered to train with me, and that could be the perfect opportunity to get to know him.

He’s your enemy,another voice whispers, the one that sounds like my mother and father.He could see too much if you train magic with him. It would put Thayaria at risk.

But I’m curious about him, can’t keep him out of my thoughts. Nemesia would tell me that’s a reason to stay away, while Admon would apparently encourage it. And what if hecouldteach me something new about my magic? Could he be the key to unlocking whatever it is I need to lift the mist?

My mind made up, I walk determinedly to my desk and pen a letter inviting him to train with me tomorrow morning. I tell him to be ready after the breakfast hour in his chambers, hesitating briefly before dropping the letter into the outgoing mail pile on my desk. This is just a test, an opportunity for me to learn more about him. I’m not committing to anything. I’ll train with him, but I’ll be careful. I won’t let him get too close or see too much of my magic. And I willnotlet him touch me again.

Laurel

The origins of the Prophecy of the Thayarian Queen are unknown. There is no record of the seer who spoke it, and the earliest records are oral histories passed down through generations of Thayarian fae. There are some who argue it is nothing more than a wives’ tale, a story told around the cooking stoves of females to give hope in dark times.

A Brief History of Modern Thayaria

The next morning, I’m dressed in tight leather leggings that hug my curves and a cropped deep green sleeveless tunic. There are straps that wrap around my torso to support my breasts. It’s a practical choice for training, but I also know the effect it has on my figure.

He’s betrothed. And annoying. And your enemy.Scolding myself, I braid my hair down my back and skip makeup entirely, but I don’t change my clothes. Grabbing a black, fur-lined cloak for warmth, I aerstep to the Velmaran apartment. They’re getting used to my sudden appearances. This time, they don’t even flinch when I intrude on their breakfast.

Seated at the dining table, casually discussing their plans for the day, they tease one another lovingly. A familiar pang ofwantinggrips me. I shove it down, then smile at Silene, who jumped up from the table and is walking over to greet me. The guilt I felt after dressing myself only intensifies, and I vow to keep my cloak on today and to keep my distance from Hawthorne.

“How are your conversations with the rebels going? Are they ready to introduce Hawthorne to their leaders?” I ask. She beams.

“Yes! We have a time and place as of yesterday. We were so excited to tell you.”

“That’s excellent. Great work, really. You’ve had a productive week.”

“So…” she says, lowering her voice, “You and Thorne are going to train today.” I suddenly fear she’s noticed what I can no longer pretend isn’t flirting between the Prince and me. I brace myself for her to remind me of their engagement, or threaten me, or plead with me to stop flirting with him. Instead, she says with a wicked, conspiratorial grin, “Don’t you dare go easy on him.” With that, she practically skips back to the dining table, leaving me once again curious about the nature of their relationship.

“What was that about?” Hawthorne asks her.

“Oh, I was just telling Laurel to kick your ass today,” she says exuberantly. Hawthorne bursts out in laughter, and I can’t keep my eyes off him. The laugh reveals a new side of him, a vulnerability he rarely shows. Something deep in my belly turns over. “Ready to kick my ass, Your Majesty?” he asks me, a glint in his eyes.

I stiffen. “Uh… yes,” I say awkwardly.Apparently, I don’t know how to interact with him if I’m not flirting.“We have to make a stop by the kitchens first. Need to get food for lunch.” He looks at me confused, brows furrowed, then gestures as if to say, lead the way. I concentrate on the aether pulsing through his body, then aerstep us both to the door outside of the kitchens. “Stay here,” I tell him, walking into the humid and busy room. The cooking staff are used to my random appearances. A human woman with brown hair and freckles spots me first. She smiles, then stops what she’s working on and gestures for me to follow her into the pantry. “I’d like to pack enough for two today, Sarah.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” She grabs a woven basket and loads a loaf of bread, several apples, a hunk of cheese, a bottle of Thayarian ale, and two smaller containers with stew into the basket. “We also have cake today, Queen Laurel,” she says with a glimmer in her eye. “Chocolate.”

I giggle with glee and give her a big grin. “You know me well. Two slices of the cake, then.”

When the basket is finished, she hands it and two water skins over to me. “Enjoy your day, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you. You too. And you let me know if you need anything from me,” I tell her pointedly, looking at the head baker who I know has a prejudice against humans. She blushes, but nods.

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