“She’s very beautiful, overly fond of cheese, and adores her mother. I think she likes me second best, to be honest. If I were a lesser man, I’d be jealous.”
Cael’s smile softened. “I’m happy for you, Valen. Truly I am.”
My chest constricted.
“Treasure every moment with her,” he said softly. “And keep her safe, or you’ll never forgive yourself. Believe me.”
I tried to hide my discomfort as we said goodbye. As I walked through the palace, I felt cold and slimy, and not just because of my sweaty shirt.
Lying to Cael wasn’t like lying to Amatien and Ishaq. Cael’s lover had been human, too, but he’d lost her in the battle against the Netherworld, and it had destroyed him. He was listless during the day, sleepless at night. He came back to his old self when fighting—hence my challenging him to a spar. But he drifted through the rest of his time like a ghost.
I didn’t know how to help him. And I’d probably made things worse by lying about my own courtship with a human.
I sighed, rubbing my face. But by the time I reached the doors to the reception room, my expression was carefully blank. I straightened my shoulders and presented myself to the guards.
The queen was waiting.
Chapter 15
Valen
“Sir Valen Corvanos, Your Majesty,” the guard announced.
I dropped to one knee and bowed.
Queen Verena dismissed the guard and directed me to join her. I rose, taking a seat on the sofa opposite her. Tea and sweets sat on a table between us, and if anyone asked, this was nothing more than a social visit for some late-night gossip.
“I apologize for my slovenly state,” I said, painfully aware of my sweaty odor. “I—”
“I know what you were doing,” she said with a sad smile. “And I thank you for it.”
Of course. If I worried about Cael as a friend, it was nothing compared to his mother’s worry.
“I… don’t believe it made much of a difference.”
“Knowing a friend cares can make a world of difference,” she replied.
The queen’s crystal blue eyes sparkled knowingly at me, not having dulled the slightest with age. Her silvery gray hair hung loose and wavy to her waist, and she wore her wrinkles with pride and grace. Her high-collared gown of midnight blue bore a star design that glowed magically, and countless diamonds decorated her crown.
“But we’ll speak of my son more another time,” she said. “Tell me of your progress.”
I held her gaze respectfully despite the urge to duck my head.
“It’s regrettably slow, Your Majesty. She needed more instruction on courtly manners than I anticipated.”
The queen tilted her head. “Is the etiquette here truly so different from on Earth?”
“I couldn’t say, Your Majesty. The problem is that Emmeline has no manners whatsoever.”
I should have tried harder to keep the exasperation out of my voice. The queen’s mouth twitched, and I had the feeling my sovereign was trying not to laugh at me.
“Fortunately, she learns quickly,” I said. “That phase of preparation is behind us. I’ve begun introducing her around the Court to establish our story, and we’re due to plan the actual heist tomorrow.”
I didn’t expect any problems there. Emmeline had enough experience stealing that we’d fly through the planning stage.
“And you’re still confident she’ll succeed?” the queen asked.
“She’s highly skilled and quick on her feet.”
