Page 117 of Rook of Ruin
“You gave Callan a Warrior’s Name.” His words feel like an accusation.
“I did. He fought well with me and saved me from a Roggenwolf.”
“You would make a great queen.” The king smiles, and I know he is playing a game, testing me, like at the gates.
“I make a great wife to your son, Your Majesty. I am happily Simon’s wife.”
He laughs and twirls me again. “I see why he loves you. You are similar.”
“As I love him.” I smile.
“Tell me, Orlaith, what did you think of my queen’s test outside the gates?”
“I thought it cruel. I still think it is.” Not one to mince words, I keep a smile on my face, and he notices.
“Yes, I’m appalled that it happened, but I am thankful for your kindness and your strength. Our people need us.”
The song ends, and I curtsy. “It is my honor to serve our people, Your Majesty.”
He chuckles and leads me off the dance floor. “Thank you for the dance. I believe my daughters will love you as much as my sons clearly do.”
I beam. Simon wraps his arm into mine and begins to lead me back to the dance floor as he whispers, “What did you think of Anna, the future queen?”
My eyes say it all, and he grimly smiles.
“Yes. She is just as cruel as the current one. I felt sorry for Callan the moment he took vows with the creature.” Bringing myhand to his mouth, he kisses it and then spins me around. “I love you, O.”
“It would be difficult not to,” I tease.
He twirls me around again, and I catch the queen’s eye. She smiles at me. It’s not one of happiness, but one to let me know she finds me a threat.
I smile back.
I fucking am.
“Why aren’t you listening?” Callan sounds as exasperated as I feel. “I don’t think you understand. She finds you a threat.”
“I do understand. But I have done nothing to provoke her. I have been keeping to our wing.”
My brother-in-law frowns and points to my face. “You have a smudge on your cheek.” I wipe it with my hand, and he sighs. “You just made it worse. He takes out a handkerchief and hands it to me.
“Thank you.” I rub the ink off my face and glance down at my ink-stained hands.
My first week here, Queen Ffion was on a mission to make me feel as uncomfortable as possible, flinging snide comments and not-so-subtle threats against me any chance she could. Three weeks later, and I almost wish she would try to pluck out my eyeballs like she threatened, it would be amusing to watch. Laughing on the inside at my joke, I finally understand whyOssian shows hardly any emotion. It’s easier. No one knows what you’re thinking.
Each day, I write to Milo and Paul. I also write to my sister, who gave birth to twin girls, plus Tess, Zane, and Patsy, who is still quite ill and apparently in a healer’s ward. I await Patsy’s answer on why I wasn’t summoned to heal her, not that she has ever answered one of my letters.
Sipping my tea in our study, I realize how much I miss my family. I tire of the court drama, but what saddens me the most is I was genuinely looking forward to having a surrogate mother in Queen Ffion. Truly, I wanted to look at her like Ralin looks at Queen Inara.
Glancing at the door, I feel claustrophobic—I need to get out, but Simon and Isle have insisted I stay in our wing, and Callan clearly agrees with them; every time I bring it up, he tries to convince me to listen. They have me hiding instead of facing the threat head on. Other than my husband, the only company I have is Callan, who stays with me most days, bringing me library books and reading adventure books to me. He seems so young, but he is only a few months younger than Simon.
I pour tea, and Callan plops down on the opposite sofa, forcing me to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. I imagine the Great Warrior King of Bethal plopping down on a sofa too; maybe that is where Simon and Callan get their casual demeanor. It’s certainly not from the queen.
“You look better with short hair.” The compliment on his new haircut makes him laugh as he runs his hands through his wavy dark hair.
“I know. I only grew it out because it annoyed Anna.” He picks up his cup, his teeth biting it before he drinks.
“Callan.” I click my tongue. “You shouldn’t make things worse.”
