With a nod, he pivoted and strode away.
I watched him walk, shadows trailing in his wake like loyal subjects, with the memory of our kiss burning on my lips and the terrible, wonderful suspicion that maybe not everything between us was pretend after all.
CHAPTER TWELVE
KIERAN
The parlor door burst open, pushed by shadows that curled ahead of me like loyal hounds. Conversations died mid-sentence. Twenty pairs of eyes turned toward me as I entered. Some widened with surprise, most narrowed in wariness.
My aunt sat on a plush settee, a crystal goblet of blood dangling from her manicured fingers. Her smile froze when our gazes locked.
“Your Majesty,” Lord Rathley rose from beside her, bowing stiffly. “We did not expect?—”
“Clearly.” I moved to the center of the room, letting silence stretch like a living thing. I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t need to. “It has been brought to my attention that certain members of this court believe they can disrespect the queen.”
No one moved. Barely anyone breathed.
“My marriage to Queen Cyrene is not a political convenience to be tolerated.” The lie tasted bitter, considering that’s exactly what it was meant to be. “It’s the future of this kingdom.”
My gaze found my aunt’s again, who had gone perfectly still. “And those who cannot accept that future may find themselves without one.”
The shadows around me deepened, spreading along the floor. A cousin twice removed flinched as darkness crawled up the leg of his chair.
“Madeline,” I growled.
“Your Majesty?” Her voice wavered.
“You questioned my queen’s magic. Her intentions. Her place at my side.” I stepped closer. “You will never do so again.”
She swallowed. “It was merely conversation?—”
“It was merely treason.”
The word fell like a stone into a calm pool of water. Gasps whispered through the room.
“Disrespect toward the queen is disrespect toward me.” I swept my gaze around the room, meeting each pair of eyes, watching them all drop theirs to the floor. “I will not tolerate it.”
Lord Rathley cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, surely?—”
“Was I unclear, Lars?”
He paled. “No, sire.”
“Good.” I pulled the shadows back to me. “Madeline, you are dismissed from court for one month. Use the time to consider your loyalties.”
Her mouth fell open. “But the Solstice Festival?—”
“Will proceed without you.”
I turned to leave but paused at the doorway. “One more thing.”
Everyone tensed.
“My queen brings joy magic to a kingdom that has forgotten what that feels like. You should thank her for it.” My smile made several nearby wince. “I certainly do.”
I left them, my shadows trailing behind me like a cloak.
I stalked outside and took a long walk through the woods, telling myself to calm down. Telling myself I couldn’t return to the parlor and kill them all. Finally, my tension eased, and I returned inside, striding to my rooms.
