Page 46 of Crown of Briars
None of this made any sense. And I had no idea who to believe. I couldn’t trust anyone—except maybe Azure.
Enzira appeared again and pressed a fist to her chest. “Room ready, my lady.” Her eyes gleamed with pride.
I offered a small smile. She seemed positively thrilled that I had married Varius. Many of the fae—Varius included—looked at me with distrust in their eyes, but Enzira had been nothing but kind and supportive from the moment I arrived.
The thought warmed my chest, loosening some of the tension there, and I drew closer to her, taking her clawed hands in mine. Her eyes widened in alarm, but she didn’t step away from me.
“Thank you, Enzira,” I said quietly. “For everything.Garsha.”
She blinked, then nodded uncertainly.
I sighed, dropping the pretense for a moment. In Agnarrish, I whispered, “You are a kind soul, and I greatly appreciate you.”
Her mouth fell open, revealing her fangs. In hernative tongue, she whispered, “I—thank you, my queen.” She swallowed, her gaze darting around the hall as if looking to see if anyone else had heard me speak Agnarrish so fluently. After a moment, she withdrew her hands from mine, smoothed them on her skirts, and shuffled away.
Perhaps it was foolish to reveal that secret. But given all the others I was keeping, it seemed the least dangerous.
Besides, Enzira didn’t deserve to suffer because of my duplicity. If she went and told the king I knew their language, then so be it.
I turned and found Ramia scowling at me.
“That was unwise, my lady,” she muttered.
I waved a hand. “It would have come out eventually. Besides, I learned the language for a reason. I’d prefer to use it, instead of acting the ignorant fool.”
Ramia leaned close to me and said in a low voice, “Just be sure to keep certainotherthings to yourself, will you?”
My eyes narrowed, but she turned away before I could question her further. I suspected she knew about my gemstone magic, and that was what she was referring to. Ramia was very observant.
But right now, with the king asking questions about the birch root, it made me wonder whoelsemight know about Azure. Had I not been as careful as I should have? Was she in danger?
I shook my head to rid myself of this paranoia, then strode into my new chambers. A gasp burst from me, and I stumbled back a step at the grandeur of the room. It was twice the size of my guest chamber, which had already been massive. In one corner of the room was a small nook with several bookshelves and a comfortable-looking armchair. Next to it was the largest fireplace I had ever seen. And on the other end was a mahogany writing desk. The massive bed took up most of the space on the opposite end of the room. A small armoire was next to the bed,along with a tiny breakfast table, upon which rested a tray of fruits and cheeses.
Floor-to-ceiling windows lined the wall, boasting a sunny view of the Dellona Mountains, which looked like two jagged spears in the distance. Somewhere between them was my castle. My home. My father was probably lording over his free time now that he no longer had to train me to be the Shadow Queen. And Orla, my sister, was likely gloating over my absence and making her plans to become the Earthen Queen.
Gerard had probably found another lover by now. But, to my surprise, this didn’t spark any jealousy in me. He had only been a means for me to escape my trapped world. Nothing more.
A pang of longing filled me as I thought of the home I’d once had. I didn’t necessarily miss Father or Orla, but I missed the caves. I missed exploring them with Azure.
I missed the comfort of a land and a castle that I knew well. I felt safe there.
Wringing my hands together, I turned away from the window and peered into the bathing chamber. I took in the massive black hole built into the center of the floor, just like in my previous room. I frowned. Ramia and I had never figured outwhatthis hole was.
Well, now that Enzira knew I could speak her language, perhaps I could ask her. I was tired of playing games.
I found myself moving toward the desk without realizing it. I still hadn’t written to my friend Eira in the Winter Court. She would be appalled that I’d moved to the Shadow Courtandgotten married without informing her.
After a quick search through the drawers, I found an inkwell, a quill, and a few rolls of parchment. I hastily began writing.
I have a new home now. It’s quite dark and misty. And my husband is far worse than a mean old codger.
“I see you’ve gotten settled,” said a voice from behind me.
I yelped and whirled to find King Varius standing at an open door I hadn’t noticed before. It was nestled between the armoire and the bed, and, now that I focused on it, I realized it must lead tohischambers.
His bed. Hisroom. Directly next to mine.
My throat knotted, and I found I couldn’t speak. My shaking hands hastened to stuff the parchment behind me and into one of the drawers.
