Page 23 of Bride of the Black Dragon
“You are dismissed. Go back to your rooms and think about what you’ve done.”
With an angry glare, he flounces off, slamming the parlor door behind him.
I turn to go as well thinking that surely this incident must be over, but the Queen calls me back.
“Princess Elaina, come here,” she says and points to the spot in front of her. “Let’s have a little conversation.”
I come reluctantly back. I have a feeling this can’t be good.
As it turns out, I’m right.
14
ELAINA
“You embarrassed my son—your husband—in front of the entire Court,” the Queen snaps, glaring at me. “And all to save a lowly maid who’s lower than dirt!”
“I asked if I could speak privately to you,” I point out. “I didn’t want to say it in front of the Court, but I couldn’t watch an innocent girl lose her hand when I could stop it!”
“Yes, you could and you should,” the Queen snarls. “How dare you expose the Royal family to ridicule?”
I’m about to try and defend myself, when her face changes. The rage smoothes abruptly away and she cocks her head at me.
“Enough about my youngest son, for now,” she says to me. “How are you getting on with my eldest son? You’ve been sleeping in his rooms—has he been bedding you regularly?”
I feel as though all the blood in my body has drained away. What do I do? Do I lie right to her face to buy a little more time? Eventually she’s going to find out.
“I…um…Prince Xaren and I are getting on very well,” I say at last.
“I didn’t ask how you were ‘getting on,’” she snaps. “I asked if he’s bedded you yet!”
“I…he…yes,” I say at last, though the lie tastes bitter on my tongue. “Yes, of course.”
“I see.” She arches an eyebrow. “Well, that’s very good news. Then I should have a grandchild soon. An heir with a Drake indwelling him.”
“I’m sure…sure you will,” I say. My voice is not quite steady—I wish I could lie more convincingly.
Before I can say anything else, there’s a knock at the door and the Court Physician pokes his head in, his long beard wagging.
“You called for me, Your Majesty?” he asks, squinting at her.
“Yes. I’d like you to check and see if the Princess is still intact,” she says as he comes into the parlor.
“What?” I exclaim. “But I just told you?—”
“You told me that my oldest son has been bedding you regularly. I’m sure you won’t mind if I check to have that verified,” she snaps.
The Court Physician widens his eyes in surprise at her request.
“The Princess still intact? But how, Your Majesty? She’s been married for over a week now!”
“Nevertheless—I want her checked. Now,” the Queen demands.
I am forced to lay on a chaise lounge while the Court Physician kneels between my knees and raises my skirts. Tears of humiliation blind me as he pokes around with his long, thin icicle fingers and shakes his head, muttering to himself.
At long last he finishes and I am allowed to pull down my skirts and rise.
The Court Physician gets stiffly to his feet and wipes his hands on a handkerchief.
