Page 127 of A Queen's Game
Sylas played a steadying role for Elyse as well. From what Marietta gleaned, Brynden was a person to love too quickly, too brightly, only to let it fade to nothing.He’s obsessed, at least for now.His words were clear, his expression saying what his mouth did not. If she were to marry Brynden, he would grow bored and turn into a wayward husband. How curious that, as Brynden’s friend, he felt the need to warn Elyse.
“If you go to Chorys Dasi with Brynden,” Marietta said as she pulled a book from a shelf, looking over her shoulder to Elyse, “keep Sylas close.”
Elyse shot her a nervous glance. “Why?”
“Because he cares about you, or at least cares about what happens to you. I think you’ll find safety in him.”
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Perhaps, but Sylas has the worst attitude. I’m not sure he likes me all that much.”
“You’d be surprised,” Marietta said. “He wouldn’t warn you about Brynden if he didn’t.”
“Or he’s saving himself from a headache later. I believe Sylas said he’d be the one picking up the pieces if Brynden grew bored.”
Marietta nodded her head, turning back to the shelf. She had surmised as much, considering he introduced himself as Brynden’s errand boy, a hilarious but damning title. “Regardless, even if he feels some obligation to help you, at least someone there will have your best interests at heart.”
Elyse leaned against the bookcase, staring at the titles. “Though part of me wants to be with him, I’m thankful it’s over. Brynden is fun, but I know little about him.”
Her words sounded hollow. Elyse could keep telling herself that, yet she didn’t see her expression when she talked about him. She still wished to be with him. “Nothing wrong with enjoying his attention, though. Too bad they banned him from the palace. I’m dying to hear what he’s like in bed,” Marietta said, smirking.
“Oh, my gods.”
“There’s nothing inappropriate with being sexual. I wonder if Brynden is all talk or if his actions live up to the beautifully filthy words he wrote for you.”
Elyse hesitated, a smile coming to her lips. “We almost did something. Well, technically we did something.” Rednesscovered her cheeks as she spoke, averting her gaze from Marietta.
“Oh? Is that so? Please give me those details.”
“After he asked for my hand, he—well, hegaveme his hand, if you will.”
Marietta’s smile grew wider, a laugh bursting from her, watching Elyse turn to a glowing red. “So he already experienced the goddess’ divine honey coating his fingers. How delightful,” she said with a smirk.
“And he went to use his mouth—”
“Yes? To taste the juiciest peach—”
“But then Sylas barged in, so… that was all. And the most I’ve ever experienced.”
Gods, by her age, Marietta already had a few partners. “The gods are cruel, to give you enough to want, and then rip it away. Maybe if you had chaperones, you could see him again, even if you don’t get time alone. I’ll talk to Keyain to see if us four can go out into the city together.”
A bemused grin came to her face. “Do you think he’d agree?”
“I’m sure I can convince him,” she said, pulling out a book, inspecting the inside cover. “Plus, I’d love to meet Brynden. Can you imagine him saying such filthy things in front of Keyain? Oh, it’d be so funny.”
Elyse snorted, reaching for a book. “I don’t think he could handle it. He once caught me reading this book,” she said, handing it to Marietta. “Known for its… sexier scenes, if you will. Which, of course, I didn’t know when I brought it to read in front of Keyain.”
Marietta’s smile grew as she laughed, flipping through the pages. “I can only imagine how that went.”
“Oh, he was flustered when he had to explain to me to keep it hidden from other people when I walked with it,” Elyse said,laughing. “That was the first and last time I brought a smutty book to read in front of him.”
Marietta snapped the book shut, tucking it under her arm. “Imagine his surprise when I return to the suite with it then,” she said, walking down the row of books. “Do you think he’d be more horrified if I read him lines from this book or Brynden’s letter?”
“Brynden’s letter, without a doubt in my mind.”
The two giggled as they decided which lines would make Keyain the most uncomfortable. Laughter echoed through the shelves, carrying deeper into the library, with tears coming to Marietta’s eyes. She hadn’t laughed like that since… since she last saw Tristina. Her friend who was the first to turn any event into a party. As she watched Elyse, she couldn’t help her heart aching for her. Perhaps with the young lady, she had found another friend in Satiros. Where Amryth was all seriousness, Elyse was easiness despite her anxious tendencies. Her friends. The thought warmed Marietta through the center, the edge of loneliness creeping away.
“How curious,” King Wyltam’s voice drawled from behind. “I was unaware you two had found camaraderie.”
The ladies spun to face the King. “King Wyltam,” Elyse said with a curtsy. “Marietta was kind enough to join me this afternoon for a break from… scribing.”
