Page 73 of Of Blood & Bone: The Young Queen

Chapter Twenty-Three

The sun is risen and I feel a flutter of panic as I wonder what time of day it is and if my presence in my chambers has been missed. The hard planes of the prince‘s body are curled around me and I feel the gentle exhalations of his breath against my shoulder. In, out, in, out they go in a relaxed rhythm. I turn to look at him and it’s obvious he’s in a deep sleep. I smile, happy he has some respite from his troubles.

A bell sounds and at first I think it’s the morning bell of the Great Cathedral, but then I realise it’s the bell of the castle's main gate which only rings in limited circumstances, usually as a warning. “Riders approaching the main gate,” the captain of the gate calls out and I immediately disentangle myself from the prince and carefully leave his bed. I have no desire to wake him as his exhaustion from the past few days was all too evident the night before.

I quickly gather my things and make my way along the queen’s passage to my chamber. I’ve no doubt I will be informed presently who the riders are, and I wish to look composed and in charge when receiving such news, not like a woman recently come from her lover’s bed.

Judging from the lavender and pink of the sky it's not long past dawn and I wonder who these riders are that have ridden through the night to get here. I brush my hair and cover myself in my chambergown as a knock comes on my door.

“Enter,” I call out and the captain of the Night Guard makes his way into my chambers.

“Your Majesty,” he announces, “Lord Greythorne has sent riders, the chief one of which demands to speak with you.”

“Lord Greythorne?” I ask, somewhat surprised.

He nods. “Yes, Your Majesty. What shall I tell them?”

“Tell them I shall receive them once I have broken my fast. In the meantime see that their horses are cared for and they are given something to eat and drink.”

He bows. “As you wish, Your Majesty,” and leaves the room.

“Damn!” I exclaim to my empty chamber. “What the hell are Greythorne’s men doing here?”

***

“Commander Bates,” the chief courtier announces as Greythorne’s men follow behind him into the Grand Hall, “Commander of Lord Greythorne’s personal guard, accompanied by soldiers Ratchett and Browne.”

Bates barely waits for the courtier to step aside and his whole body twitches with impatience and annoyance, the latter I suspect at being made to wait for his audience with me. He opens his mouth to speak when Kes steps forward. “Bow before the queen,” she commands, and the tone of her voice leaves no doubt he will pay a heavy price if he doesn't.

All three bow, but Bates throws a look of undisguised fury at Kes.

“Now you may speak,” she barks at him.

“Queen Elinor, Lord Greythorne sends his regards and wishes me to convey to you how much he is looking forward to your nuptials.”

I smile and give a small nod.

“However,” he continues, “my lord is perturbed and concerned as to the ongoing presence in your castle of an emissary from Ellerban. He wishes to know the identity of thisemissary and the reason for his presence here, especially why he has remained here for so long?”

“How interesting,” Kes whispers under her breath.

“Indeed,” I reply in a low voice, as I try to control my anger. How dare Greythorne send one of his men here to question me and to question me on matters pertaining to the realm as if he were already my king!

I rise from my throne and with slow and deliberate steps make my way toward Commander Bates. Kes flanks me along with the captain of the castle guard and his men. When I am but a few inches from him I reply to Commander Bates and I have no doubt the fury of my voice runs through him like a hot iron rod.

“Commander Bates,” I start, “when I finish speaking you will leave this castle immediately and you will tell Lord Greythorne the following. The identity of the Emissary of Ellerban and the business on which he remains here are none of Lord Greythorne’s damn business. Also, how dare he assume my hand in marriage. I don't recall accepting his proposal. You can tell him I'll be making an announcement on the first night of the new moon. I shall be holding a banquet on this night, and he is invited to attend.”

I finish speaking and turn to walk away when Bates speaks. “The first night of the new moon is the night Lord Greythorne will make you his wife,” he declares, and I’m shocked at the audacity of the man. I want to tell him there and then the netherworld will freeze over before I ever become the wife of Greythorne. However, this would spoil my plan and I need Greythorne and his collaborators to be in my castle on the night in question. I calm myself and turn back to face Bates.

I mask my anger with a cold smile and announce, “I shall make an announcement at the banquet as to my husband and king. Please tell Lord Greythorne I am very much lookingforward to seeing him there. Now leave, Commander Bates, while you still can.”

I turn and this time I don’t look back or respond as I hear him huff in protest. There is somewhere else I wish to be and I don’t have the time or patience for any further nonsense from Commander Bates. Kes informed me just before the audience with Bates that the spy she sent to Greythorne’s camp had just returned and I am most anxious to speak with her.

***

“Your Majesty,” Alina says on a reverent breath as she bows before me.

“Welcome back, Alina,” I reply as I take in the girl before me and wonder how a young and slender thing such as her fared in Greythorne’s province and to what extent she was able to glean any information.

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