Page 23 of Kings
“Daniel was a valuable mentor, and I owe him a great debt,” Sterling said carefully.
Natalia’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “I know my mate, Sterling. I wake up next to him every morning, and I’m not naive enough to believe he deserves the sound sleep he enjoys every night.”
Her words took him off guard. Maybe she knew more than he assumed, but that would mean one of the Meyers had broken their oath to Felidae. Before he could respond, she gave a dismissive wave and took another sip.
“Forget I said anything. That’s not why I came here.”
“Why did you come?” Sterling asked, growing concerned. Natalia was a kind and gentle soul, but decorum was embedded in her DNA. She wasn’t one to speak informally, certainly not about such sensitive matters.
“I wanted your opinion on a certain mutual student of ours,” she said, trailing her finger along the rim of her glass.
“Ella?” Sterling asked, trying to keep out the edge of wariness in his tone. His first thought was that she knew somehow what had transpired between them, but he told himself it was nothing more than paranoia.
“You’ve been her teacher for a semester now,” Natalie answered. “In that time, she’s grown considerably. I knew I could trust you to look after her, and I trust your judgment.”
His words were like a knife twisting in his back. One he’d put there himself. He swallowed the guilt and kept his expression neutral. “It’s an honor, Your Majesty. What is it you wish to know?”
She watched him for the few longest seconds of his life, and just when Sterling was sure she was going to call him out on his treachery, she asked, “Do you think she’s ready?”
“Ready?” he echoed in confusion. “For what?”
“To take the throne,” she answered, as if it should be obvious.
It took Sterling a moment to process what she’d just said. He’d expected Natalia to begin thinking about retirement once Ella was out of school, at the earliest.
“In the immediate future?” he asked warily. “May I ask why?”
Natalia sighed, turning to gaze once more out the window. “We can never be sure of the future. I’m sure your father taught you that,” she said quietly. “I just need to know if something happened that she would be ready to lead.”
“Your Grace,” Sterling murmured, taking a step closer. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned since meeting Ella, it’s that her character is unquestionable. She’s still young, and there are things she needs to learn, but I have no doubt that she will rise to the occasion when it’s time. Which hopefully won’t be for many years to come.”
Natalia smiled, but this time, it didn’t meet her eyes. “Of course,” she said, standing to set her glass aside. She folded her arms in front of her, studying Sterling pleasantly. “That’s what I needed to hear. I’m counting on you,” she said, reaching out to touch his face. “I know you’ll be there to guide her, even if I can’t be.”
Sterling frowned. “Forgive my frankness, but why are you talking like this?” he asked, lowering his voice. “Is something wrong? Has someone threatened you?”
“No,” she said quickly. A bit too forcefully for him to believe. “No, not at all,” she said with a faint laugh. “If you want to know the truth, I suppose it’s just my recent birthday. My mother passed at this age, and I’ve been a bit sulky about it lately.”
“Of course,” Sterling murmured, surprised he’d all but forgotten. Her mother wasn’t the Empress, but she had been an integral part of the colony, and their families had been quite close once.
“I shouldn’t keep you,” Natalia said, adjusting her shawl on her shoulders.
“Not at all,” Sterling said, following her to the door.
“Thank you,” she said, turning to face him.
“For what?”
“For confirming what I needed to hear,” she answered. “I think it’s time Ella is introduced properly to the colony. It’s been long enough since we’ve thrown a ball.”
“Her debut was a bit perilous,” Sterling said dryly. “Where will it be held?”
Natalia looked up, studying the crown molding. “This building has character,” she murmured. “I think the grand ballroom would suit the occasion nicely.”
“I’m sure it would,” he said, bowing to her once more before he saw her out. As he watched her leave, he couldn’t escape the feeling that there was more to her visit than she claimed, but if there was one thing his position had taught him, it was that one never questioned royalty.
Chapter 15
Ella
