“I am sorry.” He hangs his head. His black hair brushes over his weary brows. “I’ve trapped you with me.”
“I’ve been cornered with worst,” I counter as I look at Galen’s walls.
Titus’s magic jumps from his hand, producing a fiery flame. He fists his hands, denying his magic.
“Seems you need help controlling your fire magic, too,” I quip.
“Not usually.”
“Everett’s magic is to blame for this, I assume.”
“No.” He looks at me through hooded eyes.
“Me?” I whisper.
I’m to blame?
Knock! Knock!
My eyes flare wide, and I push to stand, as does Titus. I smooth down my hair and pray the blush on my face pales. “Come in,” I shout.
My lady’s maid enters with a tray in hand, bowing without spilling a drop. “Queen Selene. I have your morning tea, and King Galen has requested you dine with him for breakfast.”
A silver vase on her tray catches my eye. It’s polished so fine, it looks like pure liquid. Tucked inside is a plucked black rose.
Message received, Galen.
She sets the tray down on the corner table. “King Galen also sent this.” She turns and grabs a box from a soldier in the hall. I glance at Titus, who studies the additional soldier.
“If I’m to be surprised hourly with an additional guard, our army will be weathered away by moonrise,” I sneer.
The guard lowers his bald head. “I’m Titus’s guard.” He glares at me. He’s a loyalist who doesn’t agree with the peace treaty.
“What?” Titus and I say simultaneously.
Inhaling, I let my breath out slowly. “Whatever.” I roll my eyes, open the box, and spot a lavish black velvet dress. Along the collar and sleeves is silver embroidery in the pattern of roses.
“King Galen said the color would be most fitting,” my lady’s maid whispers.
“Are you a parrot or my lady’s maid?” The poor thing dips her head. I shouldn’t be snappy with her; she is just trying to keep her head attached to her neck, a neck Galen unfortunately finds rather delicious.
“I apologize, Queen Selene, if I have upset you.”
“Why is the color fitting for today?” I question.
Titus steps forward. “Thank you, Mary; I’ll take it from here.”
I reel back. Is he… trying to protect me?
Titus guides Mary—so that’s her name—to the door.He nods at his new personal guard. Speaking with Titus will be difficult with another set of ears, unless I can manipulate Galen to replace the guard with someone Titus trusts.
“Black is fitting because…” Titus closes the distance. His words are hard and cruel. He’s trying to make his guard think he detests me. With his back to the guard, he mouths, ‘I’m sorry.’“King Galen discovered who was behind my attempted assassination. It was your nobles who were acting as emissaries.”
The guard flashes me a wicked grin.
“King Galen killed them as retribution. Thus, the black attire. King Galen assumed you would be in mourning over their deaths, but also horrified by the behavior of your people.”
I clutch the dress, curling the velvet under my fingers. It feels like tiny thorns instead of something smooth.Digging, cutting, slicing, and then breaking off as they slip into me.
