Page 30 of The Court of Secrets
“I know informally you are at peace with him, but I thought you said he would only agree to an official one on paper with an offer of marriage?”
The corner of my lips lifted. “I guess he changed his mind.”
He didn’t look happy. At all. “Is there anything else with the offer of a treaty?”
I shook my head. “No. He’s been unusually quiet for Blaise.”
Suspicion crowned his eyes. “When will he be arriving? I heard he was coming.” His jaw clenched. “From others. Not you.”
“I forgot, honestly. It’s not a big deal.”
“My family may want me back early. I forgot to tell you.”
My next breath caught in my throat. “Are you joking? Tell me you’re joking!”
“I’m not.”
Seriousness swallowed his usually bright features, swirling my mind into a mixture of emotions. “Is this because Blaise is coming?”
Cedric looked over my shoulder and cleared his throat. “Uh, there’s someone behind you.”
I jolted, then turned. The lady’s honey-brown gaze softened when she smiled. Soft dimples curved her thin, rosy-pink lips. Her fair-blonde hair was styled into soft waves. “Your Majesty. I am Marissa.”
“The daughter of Lady Amber,” I recalled aloud. The lords had told me they’d be appointing her to me. At least she looked kind. Although, looks were often deceiving.
She nodded, then tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. Her eyes darted from me to Cedric. “You’re the renowned Berovian faery.”
He extended his hand. “You can call me Cedric.”
She flushed pink a little but shook his hand. I cleared my throat, and her gaze flitted back to me. She dropped Cedric’s hand as if it were poisonous. I almost laughed but held it in.
“I’m surprised we are only just meeting.”
She thumbed the side of her neck. “Yes, I was advised you didn’t have space in your schedule.”
My gaze flicked to Cedric. He would have been the one to organize my calendar. It was mostly an honorary title, but regardless, he had a job to do.
“I didn’t know.” He gave me a look before I could chastise him. “I only told your people you didn’t have space to add anything else in. You’ve been overwhelmed,” he said, his tone softening.
“I would have made time for my new lady-in-waiting. It is custom for us to get to know one another, no?”
She nodded, a sweet smile thinning her lips. “I was happy to wait until you have time for me. I can only imagine the amount of matters you must attend.”
“How would a walk in the gardens tomorrow morning sound?”
“That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Your Majesty. I am looking forward to serving you.”
I grabbed a glass of sparkling orange juice from a tray. I took a sip, then smiled, my lips still on the glass. “Your uncle is Lord Gregoir, correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Excellent.” A hint of a smirk played on my lips. “You can call me Winter, informally,” I said. “When we’re just talking as friends.”
“Thank you…” She hesitated. “Winter.” Clasping her fingers together, she stood gracefully, holding her head up. She was the epitome of the perfect lady. I wasn’t sure how she wasn’t married yet. I was sure many of the nobles at court had their eye on her. For now, however, she was my lady and the niece of the man I needed to buy off.
“Marissa.” I gestured in the direction of my mother and Vahaga. “Do your best to keep her away from me this evening. I wouldn’t want a scene at my own banquet.”
“I must clarify at the possibility of being wrong and causing offence. Do you mean your mother?”
