was nice to see you again. You were most assuredly the best part of my evening, as well.â
With a final glance at Steldor, I disappeared into mybedroom, pleased with the consternation I had seen upon his face.
âSheâs a bit feisty, isnât she?â I heard Galen say almost approvingly as I closed the door behind me. I remained next to it, listening for my husbandâs response.
âYes, she is quite a challenge. Iâd break her of her impudence, but Iâm afraid that may be her best quality.â
The two men chuckled, and I leaned back against the wood, angry at Steldor for belittling me in front of his best friend and disappointed in myself for caring.
I prepared for bed, railing in my head against the circumstances in which I found myself. Had it not been for my fatherâs selfishness and his inability to see me as anything but a device in the plans of men, I would not now be married to Steldor. The former King had long ago determined that the Captain of the Guardâs son should be his successor in the absence of a male heir, not caring about my happinessânot caring that I had given my heart to another.
Feeling empty inside, I sat upon the bed and unwisely let my mind drift to Narian, the enigmatic son of the Baron Koranis and Baroness Alantonya. My father had feared the young man and the questions regarding his loyaltiesâ Narian had been abducted as an infant and raised in Cokyri, the ruthless mountain empire that had for a century been our enemy. When he had returned to his Hytanican family ten months ago, it had seemed that my eyes alone were not clouded by hatred and bigotry. I had been able to see Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, who had been made to pay for so much that was outside his control. He couldnât help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep blue eyes pierced me and held me captive. I trusted him, and he respected and trusted me.
With a heavy sigh and a heavier heart, I crawled beneath my covers, deciding to read in the hope of suppressing further memories. But as the candle in my lantern slowly burned down, I concentrated less on the words and more on the question of whether any eventuality could restore hope for the life of which I had dreamed.
CHAPTER 2
RETRIBUTION
âMY LADY? MY LADY.â
As the voice penetrated my slumber, I slowly opened my eyes, rolling onto my back to see who had spoken.
âMy apologies, Your Highness,â murmured my golden-haired, round-faced personal maid, Sahdienne, from my bedroom door.
âWhat is the hour?â I asked, glancing toward the heavy drapes that blocked the sunlight from my room.
âHalf past nine, my lady.â
âHalf past nine?â I repeated, jarring fully awake and swinging my feet to the floor. âIâve overslept. Hurry and help me dress.â
Sahdienne rushed to the window, and I squinted when she let the light of day shine brilliantly through the glass.
âA guard was sent here with a message, Your Majesty,â she hesitantly continued, as though still apologizing for her presumptuous action in rousing the Queen, however prolonged her sleep may have been.
âWhat was the message?â
âYouâve been asked to report to the Captain of the Guardâs office as soon as possible.â
I frowned, perplexed, and Sahdienne moved toward my wardrobe to assist in the selection of my attire.
âDid the messenger give a reason?â
âNo, my lady.â
She helped me into the gown I had indicated and then brushed my dark brown hair while I sat in front of the mirror that graced the top of my dressing table. As she began to fashion my tresses, intending to pull them up off my shoulders, I shooed her away.
âDonât fuss further. I shouldnât keep Cannan waiting.â
Foregoing breakfast, I hastened into the corridor, not slowing until I reached the landing of