“Sadly, this is quite common.” And I had no idea why she felt compelled to come here and tell me this now. Why share something that might incriminate herself?
“Your marriage to my son is not a love match either,” she said.
Not at the start, but I held hope things between us would go in that direction. “I was a willing bride.”
“As was I after some persuasion. His advisor came to me and pleaded. He was kind, so I agreed.” Her eyes flickered with shadows.
“I like Merrick a lot,” I said. “I won’t hurt him.”
“What about Lord Lorant?” Her penetrating gaze locked on mine. “Do you like him as well?”
“What about thekindadvisor?” I dealt right back at her. “Did you like him more than your husband?” I was throwing blades in the dark here. Would one strike the target?
Her gaze flung itself away from mine. “That’s none of your business.”
So it was like that, was it? “Youdidlike him.”
“I said no such thing, yet you’ve avoided answering me about Lord Lorant. Quite telling, don’t you think?”
I couldn’t hold back the heat rising in my face. “Why are you asking me these questions? Let’s talk about the coronation. The dinner that will follow. The masked ball. You agreed to help me with the arrangements.”
“Don’t allow yourself to care for Lord Lorant.”
What did she know? “Why would I? He’s the king’s bodyguard, not my husband.”
“Exactly. Remember that. Don’t do what I . . .”
She lifted her hand and studied her claw-like nails.
I waited to discover what she might say next. This was her command performance; no need for me to guide her along. Finally, however, after the silence prodded me long enough, I spoke. “You didn’t love King Theon.”
“He was a decent enough man.”
Sad that she’d never known love, then. Unless . . . “Did you and the king’s advisor . . .” I couldn’t name it.
“Your position here is secure because I allow it,” she said.
An odd way of changing the conversation, but I slid along with it. “That’s up to the king, not you. You’re the queen mother. Merrick rules.”
Thank the fates for that fact.
“As long as I don’t feed gossip,” she said.
“What gossip?”
“The kind that . . . How should I say it? Rumors flew through the castle after my son was born.” She studied her nails. “Did you know that my family is related to the Evergornes? If ever a king dies without a direct heir . . .”
“Your family will inherit the throne?”
“Me.I will inherit the throne.”
The fates help Evergorne if this woman ruled.
“Tell me why all the kings die on their thirtieth birthday.”
Her gaze drifted from mine before returning. “It was a challenge raising a son who would be king after the death of his father. He was only ten at the time.”
Why didn’t she answer my question? A horrifying thought occurred to me. “Did you kill King Theon?”
