Goddess, there were so many of them. How had Priam managed to gather them all so quickly?
“Well met, friends,” Ciana called over the breeze. “We’re here to welcome you to Kreah and to ensure all are provided for.”
“Who might ‘we’ be?” A gruff, bearded man separated himself from the other leaders, his clothes worn and traveled-stained but of fine make. Even his horse was well bred, a powerful gray-dappled beast.
Sebastian cleared his throat. “Apologies, sir. We are representatives of Queen Mariah’s court. I am Sebastian Riqueti of the Queen’s Armature.” He finally glanced at Ciana, hazel eyes guarded. “And this is Lady Ciana Visseau.”
The man eyed them both, a hard look that Ciana didn’t like written in his weathered face. “Is itQueenMariah now? Not Queen Apparent? What happened to Queen Ryenne?” Murmurs of question and agreement echoed from the caravan. Ciana nearly bit her tongue.
How many fucking times would they have to do this?
Before she could say something very unladylike, Sebastian stepped forward, handsome face placating. “She is new to her reign, we admit. But”—he placed a hand over his heart, head dipping with respect— “Queen Ryenne is no longer with us. There can only be one Queen of Onita, and by the goddess’s blessing, Mariah has ascended the throne. She awaits you all in the Kreah capital of Desva.”
“Why is she in Kreah at all? Shouldn’t she be fighting the evil coming to Onita that Priam spoke of?”
So, the god had told them who he was. Just from their short interaction, Ciana wasn’t surprised. He seemed unable to stop himself from preening.
“Queen Mariah fled the same evil you did. But she doesn’t intend to remain here long. She will return to Onita, and the darkness will be vanquished. Of that, I have no doubts.”
Ciana glanced at Sebastian, letting a hint of a smile play on her lips at his glowing words.
Too bad those words aren’t for you.
Her smile slipped at the intrusive thought, and she hated herself a bit for it.
She wasn’t jealous of Mariah. She and Sebastian shared a connection Ciana would never know—that was true. They’d even shared a moment of physical intimacy that Ciana had at first been amused by, but as time progressed had forced herself to stop thinking about.
She wasn’t even sure she’d ever want to have sex again, not after the darkness of her childhood. So why did the knowledge of Mariah and Sebastian’s relationship now make a lead weight sink into her stomach?
And why did it make the moments when Sebastian sang his queen’s praise bite a little more than they should?
Ciana may love Mariah like a sister, but by the goddess, sometimes she felt like a terrible friend.
“I heard a story from Khento. One that said the opposite of what you speak.”
Ciana and Sebastian both stilled, her petty thoughts momentarily forgotten. A young woman emerged from the crowd. Just like the others, she looked haggard and worn, but her dress spoke of wealth. Distrust wrote itself across her golden sun-tanned cheeks.
“I have a friend who is the daughter of a merchant family. They were invited to Khento by Lord Shawth and the other Royals to witness a ceremony. That friend said something terrible happened and she barely managed to survive.”
Ciana wasn’t even sure Sebastian was breathing. His hands were balled into fists at his side, the only outward evidence of his anger. Ciana straightened her spine. “Your friend likely didn’t share the full story. The Royals?—”
“Oh, my friend shared enough,” the woman hissed. “She told me that our so-calledqueenwent on a murderingrampage, destroying half the castle and killing many of those in attendance. She wrote that she was lucky to escape with her life.”
Silence brushed across the sandy plains. Ciana heard her heart pounding in her ears and not much else.
The audacity. How could anyone think that?
“Lies,” Ciana seethed through clenched teeth. “Your friend tellslies.”
The woman was unfazed. She lifted her chin imperiously and sniffed. “How would you know? You weren’t there. How well do you know your queen?”
“Lady Ciana may not have been there, but I was.” Sebastian’s voice was deathly calm. Attentions swung to him, eyes going wide.
Even thatbitchhad the wherewithal to look shocked and a little taken aback.
“I was there,” Sebastian continued. “I sawrealevil burst forth that day. And I can assure you: it wasnotour queen.”
No one from the crowd answered him. Glances and murmurs were shared, more wary doubt creeping into their faces. But this time it was doubt over their companion’s words and not the promises of their new queen.
