“Your Majesty,” one said, the other bobbing his head alongwith the first. “Welcome back. We didn’t know you’d arrived. Shall I alert the kitchens and ask them to?—”
“Send for Lord Briscalar and Talvon,” I said, my voice flat.
The guard blinked. “Yes, of course, sire.” He bowed and jogged off down the hall. The other stiffened and twisted magic around his fingers, increasing our protection as if that might matter.
I shut the door and started pacing.
When the lord and Talvon arrived, I made myself sit. Stop moving.
Briscalar’s voice was as perky as ever and bright with relief. “My king.” He came over to stand nearby. “I'm so pleased that you've arrived back safely.” He peered around, searching for the woman he saw as a daughter. “Where is the queen?”
“She’s resting,” I said. “She was tired from traveling.” I couldn't hide what happened for long, but for now, I ached to protect her from everything, even their concern.
He glanced toward the bedroom. “I’m glad you've both returned safely.”
“How long were we gone?” I hated to buthadto ask.
He frowned but smoothed his face quickly. “Eight days. Thankfully, all here has remained quiet.”
The words echoed, sinking deeply. So much time lost while we were inside the labyrinth. Only six days until my thirtieth birthday and the curse broke me. Unless we snapped it first. Unless I brought back my wife, we obtained the third talisman, and we fused it together.
It would have to be enough time.
“Did anything of concern happen while I was gone?” I asked Talvon.
Standing to the lord's right, he cleared his throat. “There have been no further borgon sightings. People have settled into their newly built homes. The rebuilding is, honestly, going very well.”He shared a long look with Briscalar. “And the queen's plan for the lords and ladies is working as well.”
Briscalar beamed. “They were eager to take part early, which is benefitting the lessers and the ruling class equally. I believe we'll see long-term benefits from this plan. When you and Queen Reyla have a moment, I'd like to discuss how we can expand this sort of arrangement into other areas of the kingdom.”
“Of course. After my birthday?” If I brought Reyla back and was still alive, wonderful. We'd expand this plan. If not, she would make any decision related to that.
I didn't like how bleak that made me feel, though I wasn't worried about myself. If I died, so be it. But I could not leave my wife as she was now.
No matter what happened, she could survive me. She was forged stronger than any myth. But she shouldn’t have to deal with all this, not alone. Not after everything we’d been through only to end like this, with her adrift, and me…gone.
“About your birthday, sire.” With a wave of his hand, Lord Briscalar sent more wood to the fire, and it perked up, sparks flickering up the chimney, greedy flames licking at the dry tinder. Light blazed across the room. “I've already made some arrangements for the celebration. I'd thought to bring them up with the queen first to seek her input. She may have some special ideas.” He winked as if everything was normal, but to him, it was. And he knew she loved me, that she’d want this to be the best day of my life.
How could it be? That was the day I met her.
“I'll make an appointment with her tomorrow to go through them,” he said. “But if you have anything specific you'd like to see, please mention it soon so I can make the arrangements.”
“I will.” There was nothing else I could say.
“The queen's best friend and her husband have sent advancenotice that they'll arrive that day.” His spine tightened. “Imagine. The High Lord of Weldsbane Court, who, I’ll note, is also our queen’s beloved brother,andthe High Lady of Lydel will be here soon, staying within this very castle. Such an honor. If only your beloved mother was here to share the excitement.”
“Yes.” My shoulders sagged. I’d had no time to mourn.
“I've ensured our finest suite is prepared, along with the necessary security, for High Lady Tempest and High Lord Vexxion,” Talvon said.
“Thank you. Let's get together again in a few days to discuss things further.” I didn't want to use up any more time with them. My wife and the book waited, and nothing else mattered.
“Very well, sire.”
They both bowed.
Talvon opened the outer door and stepped into the hall.
“Once my queen has recovered,” I told Briscalar. “We may need to leave again.” For Irridain to obtain the talisman. A goal that seemed paltry compared to what mattered most, bringing her back from this spell.
