Page 87 of The Court of Secrets
The oil lamps flickered to life, illuminating the long mahogany table. Seven seats sat on either side, with one at the top: mine. I sat, the smell of polish drifting in and out of each breath, and listened to the servants light the fire behind me. I straightened the crown on my head. My perfectly straight hair had been pulled back into a braid and wrapped into a knot. Mai, who had been wonderful on our first meeting, had come to my chambers to help me get ready for the council meeting. I’d made a good decision choosing her. The other one I hadn’t properly met yet, but she would be coming with me to Niferum, so I’d have a chance to get to know both new additions.
I was the first to arrive, for once, and it was a nice relief from being always late. However, as queen, it simply meant everyone else was early under those circumstances. My station did come with some perks. I made sure to wear a somber look when the first entered. Adius sported a wide smile, his eyes alight when he saw me. I breathed relief. He’d accepted the position as my royal advisor, else he wouldn’t be here. He looked the part too. His shirt and navy blazer had been pressed. His brown waves were slicked back.
“Your Majesty.” He bowed deeply, then rose.
“Adius.” I grinned. “I’m so happy you decided being a royal advisor is for you.”
“Florence persuaded me. I was already on the edge of accepting. She just pushed me over it.”
I smirked. “I like her more by the day.”
He sat in the seat next to mine, in front of the window. The glass reflected the room and beamed ceiling. “I proposed.”
“I’m assuming she said yes.”
He nodded, unable to hide his toothy grin. “We’ll be married next week.”
“I’m happy for you both.” A warmth spread through me. It was nice to have a conversation without discussing something dark and sinister.
“I wanted to discuss a matter with you before the meeting commences.”
“What is it?”
“A ship has docked at a small port near here. Usually, they’re mostly unmanned, but several of the public guards were checking the area and captured solises who’d come onto our soil.”
My heart pounded. Had Kiros sent men beforehand? Was it really all out of vengeance? “Have they said why they’re here?”
“No, but the captain of the ship, who made a point to tell us he is in fact not a pirate, despite being found with plenty of loot aboard…”
A small smile crept onto my face.
“Said you would tell us he’s not a threat.”
“I know them. His name is Aquarius. They’re welcome here. They helped me, twice, when I was taken to Berovia and first presumed dead,” I said, not actually sure how much he knew about my initial return. “I know the official story wasn’t that I was in Berovia, but I was. I fell into the sea and was bitten by a mercreature. That man and his crew saved my life. They also gave me refuge home.”
His eyes widened. He didn’t know the whole truth.
“It’s a long story,” I admitted. “One for another time, but for now, when we’re done here, please advise the guards he is to be brought here, as a welcome guest.”
He hesitated, sucking air in between his teeth. “Your Majesty, I know you had Cedric here as a guest, but these men are solises, and many at court will not feel safe with them here.”
“Blaise got a letter,” I said. “Kiros has agreed to the peace treaty I had you send. He wants Niferum to host him and me as a neutral kingdom.”
“I haven’t received any letters with King Kiros’s seal on it.”
“No, he hasn’t written to me yet. I’m presuming he’s waiting on Blaise’s reply first.”
He looked at me, anticipation rising his brows.
“Oh.” I smiled. “They’re sorting out a few terms, but he will have them there.”
“I would be honored to attend with you.”
I cast my eyes to the table. A maid brought in a platter with tea on it. Another restocked the liquor cabinet in the corner of the room. I took a peppermint tea and turned back toward Adius. I didn’t want him to come with me. The danger surrounding what we were going to do to the necromancer hung over my shoulders. “I need you here,” I said. “With Vahaga’s death.”
“He’s been found dead?” he asked, and panic flitted my gaze to the window.
“No.” I swallowed hard, but the lump that had formed didn’t budge. “I meant disappearance.”
