“If your parents were alive, I would honor them as well. Your service has been invaluable even with its challenges,” thequeen continued. “I know there has been far more unrest in this palace than I would like.”
“There has,” Nin admitted, her fingers curling over her skirt. “And I’ve been trying to… help. To uncover who’s behind it all.”
The queen studied her, her delicate brows drawing together. She set her tea down once more. “You’ve been wounded.”
Nin’s fingers brushed the tender spot on her temple. The queen was more perceptive than Cedric gave her credit for.
“Yes,” Nin admitted, drawing a slow breath. She hesitated, wondering how much to confess, but decided it was a wasted effort to hide anything from Queen Constance anymore.
“I tried to take matters into my own hands,” Nin continued. “We weren’t getting any closer to the truth, and the danger was pressing in on your daughter—”
“You, in this case,” Queen Constance interrupted, concern etched in her beautiful features.
Nin’s throat tightened. The brave front she put on for Cedric and Lucille couldn’t conceal her inner terror about how narrowly she escaped death. Not once—but twice.
Taking another steady breath, Nin revealed the events that occurred the evening before. The queen remained composed, but alarm flickered in her cool, blue eyes when Nin mentioned the Silent Breath.
“I fear we’re running out of time,” Nin said.
“Indeed,” the queen replied, her tone growing grave. “The wedding approaches quickly. Once married, my daughter will leave for Prince Rodrigue’s court across the sea. That’s only afortnight away.”
“I know,” Nin said. “We’ve been doing our best.”
Queen Constance turned in her seat and reached into a small, painted porcelain box on the table. She withdrew a glittering green brooch the size of her pinky nail. The emerald was framed by swirling gold acantha leaves and bordered by a cluster of tiny diamonds.
“I wish to help however I can,” the queen said, presenting the brooch to her. “There is a rare enchantment on these jewels. There are very few in the world, and I have only one. Not many Artisans are able to create such things with the Maker’s Breath.”
Nin’s eyes rounded as she reached for the jeweled brooch.
“It will keep your mind your own,” the queen continued. “You will be protected from coercive enchantments.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Nin said, bowing her head.
“It will aid you in this endeavor. If I also have to convince Cedric to allow you more freedom, I will do so.”
“I don’t know if he wants my help,” Nin said, averting her gaze. “He’s too busy trying to protect me.”
The queen smiled knowingly. “It seems he cares for you more than you think.”
A visceral ache pulsed through her abdomen. The memory of his words stung across her heart.
“What more could it be?”
“I’m not sure about that,” Nin said, her voice tight.
“You might be surprised,” the queen said softly. “But I think it’s time he came to his senses. You’ve done an impressive job fooling the court, and your talents could serve us well in other ways now.”
Warmth sprouted, slow and steady, spreading through her limbs.Nin straightened, holding the queen’s look with newfound confidence. For once, all the work she had put forth had paid off. She wasn’t the failure she continued to believe she was.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Nin said, bowing her head in deference.
The queen rose gracefully from her velvet seat. “You may return to your quarters and rest.”
Nin curtsied and withdrew.
She returned to her chambers, her heart swelling with gratitude. The weight that had pressed down on her for weeks seemed to lift, replaced by a thrilling sense of possibility.
Chapter twenty-three
