Alright, so she didn’t want to talk about this.
Or shecouldn’t.
What could that mean?
I’d quiz Calista. Maybe Faelith or Surren would give me a straight answer. “How old is Merrick?”
“Twenty-nine, my queen,” Calista said from the open doorway. Her gaze shot to Moira. “Daughter, I believe you’re needed in the kitchens.”
“The kitchens, you say?” Moira’s hands fluttered at her sides. “Then I must go there immediately.” She dipped me a curtsy. “With your leave, of course, my queen.”
I flicked my hand in her direction, and she scurried from the room.
Calista went to the closet and started sorting through gowns. Farris watched her, his gaze shifting to me before spiking back at her.
“I plan to dine alone in my suite tonight,” I said. “I’m going to the library first.”
“Why the library, my queen?” she asked in a breezy tone, holding up a pale green gown.
“I love books.” That should be enough reason for now. “When does Merrick turn thirty?”
Her gaze met mine, and while shadows swirled in the pale blue depths, her face remained smooth. “The king will celebrate his thirtieth birthday in a little over six weeks’ time.”
If all the Evergorne kings had died on their thirtieth birthday, then . . . I needed to unravel Evergorne’s secrets as soon as possible.
I slid off the bed and tucked my feet into my shoes. “Let’s leave for the library now.”
Calista tucked her head forward. “Of course, my queen. Shall we don the green gown first? It’s simply divine.”
“The one I’m wearing will do.”
Her breathing stuttered. “It’s wrinkled, my queen. Surely—”
“I doubt anyone will care. Besides, who will I see inside the library?”
Farris hopped off the bed and yawned, following me into the sitting area with Calista tutting behind us.
Faelith sprang up from where she was sitting on one of the high back tufted chairs and dangled the nyxin’s leash in the air. “Shall I take this fine fellow to the gardens for a stroll and a bit of play?”
“Would you?” I should walk him myself, but I wanted to see if I could discover anything in the library. I’d always enjoyed libraries, which was how I’d foundEmber’s Shadow. When we visited the fae manor, we were strictly warned to stay together, but I loved exploring. Was it my fault that, after finding a bathing area to attend to my needs, I’d been unable to resist wandering into the library?
So many books. I couldn’t fathom seeing all of them in one place. The fortress library had a nice collection, but I’d read all the interesting books before I turned fifteen. But at the fae manor . . . I’d strolled around, marveling at the stacks after stacks packed with leatherbound goodness, dragging my fingertip across their spines.
One had tingled when I touched it, and I tuggedEmber’s Shadowoff the shelf. A quick peek told me it might be interesting, and I’d tucked it beneath my gown and hurried back to join the others.
That book had made a difference in my life ever since, and it was still playing games here at Evergorne. I was too determined to wait for it to reveal one tantalizing clue after another. I wanted to gorge myself on information, especially if it included what was happening with the Evergorne kings.
A fate-driven incident I couldn’t control was not going to steal my husband from me.
Faelith left the suite with Farris trotting behind her, promising to return him after their walk. As the door closed, excitement washed over me. Calista, still wearing a frown, stood to my right, her arms crossed on her chest.
“The library it is,” I said, breaking the silence.
“Very well, my queen.” The twitch of her lips told me she didn't like this, but that she wasn't prepared to argue with me about it.
With a pert nod, she rushed forward to open the door for me, and I stepped out into the hall.
It was time to do some snooping.
