Page 36 of The Court of Secrets
Marissa blushed. “I suppose. She had been discarded after the king’s death. People were cruel to her, and I admire how she held herself. I would not have fared so well, admittedly, in the same situation.”
“Good to know. I want you to arrange a meeting for me to meet her.”
“What would be the purpose of the meeting, if I may ask?”
“You may. I would like to invite her to be a lady-in-waiting.”
Her eyes widened. I didn’t know how they could get any bigger. “Excuse me for saying, but the lords may not find her as a suitable lady. Usually, we are maidens.”
“She’s smart.” I counted my fingers. “Resourceful. Strong. Bold. She knows things. I need those traits.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
I gave her a look. “She will do well, I believe. I had been looking at her all wrong. She may have been my father’s mistress, but she could be the key to what I need. Remember what I told you before? I need to build my own private army if I am to survive this place.” I looked back at the castle. “If any of us will.”
***
My foot caught on the step on the way to the main hall after returning to the castle. As I lurched forward, the air whooshed from my lungs. I caught myself, pushing out my hands in front of me. Blood rushed to my face. I was immediately swarmed with guards, who pulled me to my feet. I tried to push them off. I could get up on my own, and some of the nobles were watching. I couldn’t show weakness. They were like lions, and I, a gazelle.
Vahaga was among them. His bright eyes latched onto me like a snake eyeing its dinner. I pulled my lips behind my teeth, then brushed the dirt from my dress. My mother stared me down. Wrinkles protruded from the corners of her eyes, veining to her graying hairline. Her thin lips were pursed, and her hands were clasped over her emerald, green bodice. She whispered something to Vahaga, who gave her a curt nod, then turned from me.
I turned on my heel and strutted toward them. “Vahaga,” I called before he could leave.
His eyes widened when he faced to turn me. Normally, I’d be formal and show some form of respect, but not anymore. Not after what I heard had happened at the trials that morning.
“Your Majesty,” he said slowly, a hiss stretching out his words. “What may I do for you?”
My mother didn’t say a word but looked me to him and back. Her face was a ghost of mine. It took everything for me not to punch him in the face. I bit my tone down, aware we were surrounded with listening eavesdroppers. “I have been advised of the incident at the court trials this morning. The young mother.”
His expression relaxed. A small smile tugged his lips. “You have made your position on attending the trials clear. I have relinquished the idea of you upholding tradition.”
“Perhaps if my verdicts were upheld, I would continue to attend them.” Neither of us looked away. “Regardless, as queen, I get final say on them.”
His eyebrow kicked up. “May I remind you, while you are indeed monarch, I, high priest, carry out sentencing for serious crimes.”
My nose wrinkled. “She has three children. You cannot endorse her public shaming.” My stomach knotted at the thought of her being placed in the stocks. “Then imprisoned.”
“She chose her path.” He attempted to turn, but I grabbed his arm and pulled him back to face me. It was incredibly stupid to do it. A gasp escaped my mother’s mouth.
“What are you doing?” His eyes narrowed.
“I’m not finished.” I teetered on the edge of rage. My fingers were visibly shaking as I recoiled. The nobles in the vicinity no longer feigned their ignorance. Silence surrounded us. All eyes were on us.
“You are not fit—”
My eyes flashed. “Idareyou to continue that sentence.”
Clearing his throat, he flicked his gaze to those near us, then back to me. “Like I said, she deserved her punishment and more. She’s lucky she wasn’t sentenced to execution. I was merciful due to her status.”
I half-laughed. “Merciful? Her children will be sent to worker houses.”
“She should have made better choices.”
Bewilderment widened my gaze. “Better choices?” I scoffed. “She didn’t decide to be raped.”
“Supposedly raped,” he stated. “He says she agreed to lay with him. She came to her husband not a maiden, so what he said isn’t unbelievable.”
“I was told she was found with marks on her. Nail imprints on her thighs. A handprint around her throat.”
