“You're ladies of the court. Of course you can.”
“We're ladies. This is true.” Moira spoke carefully while Calista gaped at us both with dismay. “Though we’re not as high as others.”
“We've already eaten,” Moira rushed to say.
I couldn’t force this. “Tomorrow, then, please plan to eat with me.”
“We can't, though we thank you,” Calista said with a stiffening of her spine. “You're sweet to offer, my queen.”
I’d keep doing so because I didn’t want servants; I wanted friends.
“It’s our pleasure to treat you right,” Moira said, her posture loosening enough to show me she was grateful this potential mistake on my part had been settled. “We do appreciate your offer, my very kind queen.”
“Can you call me Reyla?” I lifted a bite of egg and placed it in my mouth, speaking around it. “At least inside my suite?”
The two women shared a glance before Calista sighed. “We shouldn't.”
“Please. It'll make me feel more welcome here. I don't know anyone. My only friend is King Merrick.” And Lore, though I wasn't naming him. Hewasa friend, wasn't he?
“It is our wish to make you feel welcome, my queen,” Moira said. “I, um, Reyla, that is.” High color rode in her face, and I wasn't sure she'd dare use my first name after this one time. Or she'd purposefully forget.
Perhaps, like someone helping me into my robe, I'd get used to being called “my queen” as well.
I ate what I could, though there was no way I could consume it all.
Farris bounded into the room not long later, bringing with him a nyxin smile and the smell of fresh air and sunshine. He galloped over and sat beside me, paying more attention to my plate than the pats I gave him.
Faelith stumbled into the room after him, her face florid and her clothing ruffled. “There he is,” she panted, pointing. “The fine young fellow got ahead of me on the stairs, my queen, but I did my best to herd him in this direction.”
“He tolerated a collar and leash on the ship. You're welcome to use them when you take him out,” I said.
“That would be wonderful, my queen.” She shook her finger at Farris. “No more scampering ahead of me or chasing wild challs on my watch, my fine fellow.”
“Thank you for taking such good care of him.”
“It’s a joy, my queen.” She dipped forward in a formal bow. “A short time ago, I was asked by the king himself . . .” Her eyes widened. “Imagine! The king himself asked me to mention to you that when you felt ready, you could join him in the throne room.”
“Thank you. I’ll do that as soon as I’ve washed and dressed.”
Moira strode into the sitting area from the bedroom. “Your bath is ready, my queen.”
I rose and walked with her into the bathing area, where I suffered the embarrassment of having three women help me with something I could do all by myself.
In a short time, my hair had been washed, magically dried, and arranged on my head, and I wore a pale-yellow gown with a simple, low-cut bodice, puffy short sleeves, and a wide skirt that swished around me. I only vaguely remembered helping Brenna dress in gowns like this, and I couldn’t imagine wearing them all the time.
Brenna had never insisted on strapping a sword sheath to her spine, leaving the hilt of the blade jutting up above her left shoulder either.
I did.
“You . . . cannot.” Color rose in Calista’s face. “I mean, you, of course, can do as you please, my queen, but a sword . . . It’s just not done.”
“For me, it is,” I said simply. “Merrick said I could carry weapons.” I purposefully did not sayKingMerrick. “I like having my own protection.”
She nodded fast and said nothing more, not even when I strapped blades around my waist.
When I stepped into the sitting area, Faelith stood beside Farris who now wore his jeweled collar and leash. He sat on the floor, his fluffy tail swishing back and forth and his tongue lolling. He leaped toward me when I appeared, but she held him back.
“Now, now, my fine fellow,” Faelith said. “We cannot muss the queen’s gown.”
