Completely irrational thoughts. Still, the possibility that he might be alive somewhere and simply choosing not to come hurt far more than the possibility that he was dead.
Because if he lived… Surely he felt this too. The ache of separation that seemed to hollow out every hour of the day.
"Your move, Queen Heir."
Nyara nudged the dice toward me.
"You sure?" I asked with a grin.
"Entirely."
I rolled. And, much to my dismay, Nyara swept the coins toward herself.
"You're a fucking cheat."
"Always."
We laughed as we rose from the table and wandered into the courtyard, linking arms as we crossed the garden path.
Halfway across I froze.
Aunt Petunis.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I whispered, immediately dragging Nyara behind a hedge.
The Queen Regent moved slowly along the path with her ladies-in-waiting and Aunt Jularin, who had just returned to court after being away the past few months.
"How is she adjusting?" Aunt Jularin asked.
"Quite well, I would say," Petunis replied calmly. "In fact, I look forward to passing the baton soon. These bones do grow tired."
"This does not seem like the safest time for that."
Petunis gave a soft, dismissive laugh. "My dear sister, none of this is safe. And to be frank, I am long overdue to be finished with it. The Regent's life is not nearly as enjoyable as it sounds."
"And her magic?"
"Sufficient," Aunt Petunis said with pride.
Something warm rushed over me at that. Nyara nudged my side and grinned, aware of what a high compliment "sufficient" was coming from Aunt Petunis.
"And the people love her, especially since that whole…Hurstinal incident."
"Some of them do," Aunt Jularin said skeptically.
A sudden pulse of magic brushed against my senses.
"Asharin!"
Fuck.
"Yes, Aunt?" I said, stepping out from behind the bush with Nyara reluctantly following.
"It is unbecoming of a queen to hide in hedges."
She flicked a quick pulse of magic at me. This time I dodged it, though I questioned her judgment in assaulting me while I was this heavily pregnant. "Good girl."
I briefly considered throwing magic back at her but decided against starting a magical duel in the middle of the courtyard while she was surrounded by guards and half the court.
