Two years . . . I added it up in my mind. “She died about the time King Merrick was born.”
Valera paused before her brow smoothed. “You’re right. I was mourning, and I didn’t pay much attention.” She must’ve realized who she was speaking with, because her hands twitched at her sides. “I’m sorry, my queen. Of course, I celebrated King Merrick’s glorious birth. We were all thrilled that King Theon had given the throne an heir.”
“It was alright to be sad about your mother even during a time of celebration.”
“Thank you. Yes.” Her sigh bled out. “I miss her and my father, but that’s on the fates, isn’t it? They too often steal the people we cherish most.”
I took her hand and squeezed it. “They do. Before I came here, I lost someone too. I miss him.”
“My queen,” she croaked, staring down at our clasped hands. But she squeezed mine back. “I’m terribly sorry foryourloss.”
“Thank you. Will you pass the chain and trinkets on to your eldest daughter one day, the future librarian?”
“I never married. I’m the last Windhaven of Evergorne Court and there will be no others.”
What kind of life did she have, puttering around books all day long and retiring to her suite each night? Reading could take you to a new world, but when you closed the book, you were dropped right back into what you’d left behind.
“Who will take over the library when you pass?” I asked.
“I’m not sure what will happen.” She shrugged. “I suppose the king will assign another family to take care of this glorious place. I’ve made plenty of notes. As for my mother’s treasured ring, it’ll probably join the funeral pyre with me.” When I released her hand, her face flushed further, and she fluttered her fingertips at her throat. “I must get back to work, my queen. But if you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m yours to command.” She lifted the ring and key from beneath her gown and started sliding them along the chain again.
“I appreciate it,” I said.
She paused as she walked away and turned back to face me. “Funny. I just remembered. My mother told me that I should give the ring to . . .” Her eyes clouded, and she blinked slowly. “Give the ring to . . .” Pivoting, she started walking again, rounding her desk to sit behind it.
“Give the ring to whom?” I called out to her, startling Calista standing nearby.
Valera shook her head and gave me a wan smile. “I’m sorry. I can’t remember.”
One more Evergorne secret?
Since she appeared busy, I left, running our conversation through my mind as I walked back to my suite.
I’d bet anything the tiny key fit the book with the silver ravens. Did I dare ask to borrow it? That felt sneaky. I liked Valera, and I didn’t want to do something underhanded.
Inside my suite, I found Erisandra waiting. As I strode across the sitting room, she remained where she was, sitting in the ornate throne someone must’ve delivered to my suite. She said nothing to me as I stopped to pat Farris.
“Welcome.” I plastered a polite smile on my face as I continued toward her. “How nice of you to stop by.”
“Leave,” she told my staff, and they scurried into the hall, shutting the door behind them. Once we were alone, she pointed to a wooden chair placed on a lower level in front of her improvised dais. “Sit.”
The last time I was forced to sit in a hard wooden chair, an evil fae king tried to drain me of all my power.
I slouched on the sofa, curling my legs beneath me, turning to face her. I carefully placed my right hand beside my thigh, a snap away from the hilt of one of my blades. “To what do I owe this honor?” I asked in as pleasant a tone as I could drag up my throat.
“I don’t like you.”
“Fortunately, you don’t need to. Merrickdoes.” This time, my smile came true. “And that’s all that matters.”
“He’s a man. Men are easily manipulated, don’t you agree?”
“Do you speak from experience or are you making a general statement?” If she’d come here with even a hint of warmth in her heart, I’d make an effort. But this was aconfrontation, not a social visit. I’d give back in the same way she offered.
“I did my best to be faithful.” For the first time, her gaze dropped from mine.
“In what way?”
“Our marriage was arranged. I had no say in it. My parents were thrilled that their daughter would be queen. They didn’t care if I liked Theon or not.”
