Page 22 of The Court of Secrets
He sighed. “Well, I’ll be damned. I guess we can’t marry then. Thanks all the same.” He turned on his heel.
“You gave up far too easily.” My eyebrows furrowed. “Wait…” I tapped my fingers against my dresser. “You never did want to marry her. She pressed you, and you knew I’d say no so you could continue to have your way with her without committing. That’s why you didn’t try to charm a yes from me.”
He shrugged. “Like you said, the answer’s no.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “In that case, I have changed my mind. Youcanmarry her.”
To my surprise, he smirked, then headed for my door. “Oh, I think I’m going to enjoy you being queen,” he said before he stepped outside. “Goodnight,Your Majesty.” He stretched the last two words, leaving me teetering on the edge of rage more than I already had been. Had I been played?
He’d held a grudge against me for years for that stupid rumor. So I’d told a few people I had caught him kissing a boy. It wasn’t like it was untrue. Lord Abor was furious at the knowledge of what his son had done. In hindsight, I was harsh for telling on him. He had every right to kiss whomever he wanted, and I’d outed him to the entire court, so I could hardly contain my surprise at his disdain for me.
I did wonder, however, why he was trying to marry Nissa if he liked men. Unless it was ruse. Nothing less than what she deserved.
I sucked in a deep breath. I felt myself becoming crueler by the second. The thing in me lavished in it, wanting more. It was easier than ever to tip into spiteful thoughts, but my nature wanted different. I wanted to be tolerant, kind, and understanding. All the things Cedric was. I tried to deny the harsher parts of myself, but the more I tucked them away, the louder they got, wanting to be acknowledged and bringing malice into every new thought.
A guard opened my door, and I buried my head in my hands. “Can’t I get a moment of peace?” I cried, wanting some relief from the constant questions, meetings, and discussions. I’d barely had time to catch my breath, and I wanted to scream.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Your Majesty, but your mother has arrived.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
After all this time, I’d forgotten her disapproving stare and pinched frown, only to be reminded of the hurt she’d caused me by her presence. If I had it my way, I’d have had her remain on Inferis, but being queen meant bowing to others under the pretense of them obeying me.
“You’ve aged,” I stated as she approached me through the arched doorway. A small audience had gathered out front. Everyone was looking at us.
Vahaga nodded in my direction, his gaze pointed, his lips pulled into a thin line.
“Mother.” I swallowed my pride, then forced a small smile.
The skin under her eyes had lost contact with the bone underneath, or it appeared that way. Her lips were as pale as the white skin around them. Her graying-brown hair had been knotted up and around her silver crown. “Daughter.” She shifted her gaze from my face to my dress. I’d changed into the most scandalous dress I owned from Lepidus court in time for her arrival. Knowing how much it would upset her brought mesomesolace.
“I hope your journey was well.”
“It was.”
We stood for a moment, exchanging pleasantries, until Cedric joined my side. He’d gotten my request. “Lady Rose Mortis.” He dipped his head.
Her nose wrinkled, creasing her forehead. “Who is this?”
“Cedric. He’s my friend.”
Her gaze trickled over his attire and the tips of his ears. “Ah, I was told of the faery.”
A smirk danced on his lips when he shook his head. “Of course you were.”
She frowned, looking from me to where Vahaga stood. “Let us not make a scene. We should take a walk.”
There is nothing I wanted less than to be alone with her, but the stares of my court forced me otherwise.
Cedric fell into step as we turned to walk inside. My mother grabbed my shoulder, a little too tightly. “Alone.” She looked at Cedric, her lips pursed. “You should take a stroll through our statue garden. It’s most enchanting this time of year. I’m sure even your kind can appreciate the beauty in things.”
He scoffed a laugh, disbelief on his expression. “Remarkable.”
“It’s okay, Cedric.” I swallowed thickly. “Ignore her. Most do.”
“Find me after.” He shot a look at my mother and walked away.
Taking my arm, she walked me through the main corridor and past the banquet room until we were, alone save for a few guards who were far enough out of earshot. “Get rid of that vile creature today before more damage is done.”
