“Your Majesty.” His eyes were tired, telling of a lack of sleep, and I couldn’t tell whether he was relieved or horrified.
“You’re alive,” he finally said, as if he was unable to say anything else.
“You have so little faith,” I replied, trying to keep my tone cheery while knowing that I had no intention of going through everything I’d experienced over the past few days again.
Another horse came trotting over behind Rhen. It didn’t take much to know that Cai was clearly displeased, though I could see some relief on his face. He didn’t say anything but merely looked at me as if I’d betrayed him.
“We should get back to the palace.” I gestured with my head towards the sky. “The rain is coming. And I’m freezing.”
Cai and Rhen rode alongside me, the rest of the guards falling in behind us.
“I told you not to send anyone looking for me. I grew up in this forest, in case you forgot. I know my way around.” No way I was telling them that I’d almost got lost.
“With all due respect, you’re a fool if you believe that all of us would’ve just let you go,” Rhen replied.
“I was fine, Rhen,” I assured him. “I had the forest to look after me.”
He frowned but didn’t ask any further questions. Cai kept a straight face, looking ahead. Light rain began to fall as we made our way back through the palace gates. I handed my horse over to one of the nearby servants after dismounting. The key still hung heavy around my neck. The raindrops seemed to turn heavier until they were pelting down with every step I took towards the doors.
By the time I entered the palace, my clothes were soaked.
“Do we know where Her Majesty’s guests are?” Rhen asked one of the servants by the door as he tried to stomp the mud off his boots.
“I believe they’ve taken an evening drink in the library,” she responded.
I removed my gloves, and the servant girl stepped towards me. “Can I take this for you, Your Majesty?” she asked, gesturingto my cloak. I thanked her as she helped me remove it. It was a relief to get the heavy, wet piece of material off my back. Taking the key from around my neck, I clutched it tightly in my hand while making my way to the library, Rhen and Cai following close behind.
“Would you like me to announce you?” Rhen asked.
“No, thank you, Rhen.” Some part of me was eager to see their faces when I held up the key. Was it truly terrible of me to want to feel like their queen and saviour?
Light from the library crept into the hallway from under the doors. I was so anxious to see everyone that I’d quickly forgotten about the bath and warm meal. They could wait.
With the rainwater still glistening on my clothes, I opened the library doors.
Many pairs of eyes looked up as I entered.
I let out a breath, only then realising how much I’d missed their familiar faces in the short time I’d been gone. How attached I’d become to all of them. Anesta was the first to jump up, her embroidery falling from her lap to the floor.
“Your Majesty!” she cried out. “You’re back. You’re safe.” Ignoring all protocol, she ran over and gave me one of the tightest hugs I’d ever experienced. I didn’t mind it at all. There was a part of me that relished the knowledge that I was wanted and missed.
“It’s so nice and warm in here.”
Gwen, unable to get up quickly, gave a little wave from the chair she was occupying.
Alastor gave a slight bow from where he stood at the hearth.
“Did you find it, Your Majesty?” Anesta asked in a hopeful tone.
I showed her the key in the palm of my hand. “If this doesn’t open that damned box then I don’t think anything will.”
She took in my muddied boots and dirty riding clothes. “Shall I have the servants draw a bath for you, Your Majesty?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.”
She gave a quick curtsy and hurried out of the room.
“So, we’ve got the diary and a means to open it. Now we just have to hope there’s some valuable information inside,” Gwen said.
