He sighed. “Do this for me? I’ll handle the crop issue that truly isn’t a crop issue.”
“You’re sure? Because this could be one of those burdens.”
“Save your strength for the big ones.”
“Alright.”
I left to return to my room.
Farris greeted me with his favorite ball, and I tossed it over and over until he dropped it by my feet and flopped on the floor beside it. His tongue lolled, and his tail beat a furious rhythm on the wooden boards.
I settled back on the sofa and hitched my heels up on the edge of the table in front of me. My ladies sat around me in chairs, Faelith crafting lace with magic. She intended to have it worked into her wedding gown. Moira was reading one of the romance novels I’d gotten from the library. And Calista sat primly, studying her nails, periodically huffing. Bored? Yeah, I got it.
I was about to suggest she go to the kitchen and ask the cooks to slow-cook a roast or make a loaf of bread from scratch, not returning until it was done, when someone knocked on the door.
“My queen?” Lord Briscalar called out.
“Yay.” I slid off the sofa and hopped over Farris, racing to the door and swinging it open. Nothing beat Lord Briscalar for a “delightful” distraction.
“I was asked to pass a message on to you from Valera Windhaven, the head librarian.”
“Come on in.” I pivoted and strode over to sit in the chair by the bank of windows, where I took my meals.
He settled across from me. “I cannot stay long, I’m afraid.”
“We’re no longer planning the coronation, the dinner, or the masked ball. Surely you have a few moments to sit and chat.”
“I’m always delighted to chat with you, my queen.” He dimpled a smile. “But today, I plan to start making the arrangements for the upcoming balls. I’m sure your ladies have shared the appointment I made with you to discuss them.”
Not yet, but I was sure they would. “We had a ball. That was enough.”
He chuckled as if he thought I was actually joking. “Now, now. Balls are an Evergorne tradition. When the prior king was alive, we held three or four each week.”
“Truly?”
“Absolutely, and may I say it was a delight to hear about the wondrous events from my father.”
“I’m sure it was.”
My gaze was snagged by someone hurrying across the back lawn, aiming for the wall and the dense woods beyond. Normally, I’d ignore it. It was someone out for a walk—run—and there was nothing too odd about that. But there was something about the way this person moved that caught me and wouldn’t let go.
The lord continued to chatter about this ball or that—some themed with colors, another where everyone would dress like animals. I pressed my nose against the glass, squinting into the late-day sunlight.
As they slipped through a door built into the side of the wall and raced beyond, they stopped before entering the woods, glancing toward the castle. The wind caught the hood of their cloak and flipped it backward, revealing their face.
Erisandra.
It couldn’t be. But, if it was… She was alone, without even one guard or lady in attendance.
What in the fates was she doing?
I stood up fast. “Time for you all to go.”
“What?” Calista barked, rising.
“You’re very right, my queen.” Lord Briscalar beamed as he got up. “Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. I promise I’ll arrange for nearly all the details. When we meet in a few days, you’ll merely need to approve my meal choices and the theme for each ball. Seven over the next two weeks, as I suggested, will be perfect.”
“Seven?” I groaned, my eyes wide. “That’s a lot of dancing.”
