Casimir turned to find Queen Seraphina standing in the hallway.
“Excuse me,” she said.
Casimir bowed as Ava curtsied.
“Your Majesty,” Ava said. “Could we have a word with you? Perhaps join you for tea?”
Seraphina scrutinized them, eyes catching on Casimir and regarding him with a hint of bitterness. Her gaze moved to Ava. “Just you. Not him.”
“I’d like him to be—” Ava started, but the queen held up her hand.
“I do not need the reminder of my husband’s infidelity while I enjoy my tea.”
Casimir’s breath caught. Though he had no fond feelings for Seraphina, her statement hurt. As if it was his fault Orion slept with his mother. He narrowed his eyes at Seraphina before stepping closer to Ava and pressing his lips to her temple.
“I’ll wait for you in our quarters.”
He ventured down the hallway, raising his hand and flaring a ball of starlight to hover above his palm. He supposed he would take Ava’s advice while he waited for her to return.
26
The solarium was a large circular space, the ceiling and walls made entirely of glass framed with delicate pale stone. Sunlight beamed in from above, keeping the room at a balmy temperature and providing light for the hundreds of plants and trees living inside.
Ava perched on a tufted settee, across from the queen who sipped her tea and regarded Ava warily. A fountain sat nearby, the trickle of flowing water a balm to her nerves.
“This is a beautiful space.” Ava surveyed the powder pink blooms hanging from the tree above her, fidgeting with a loose thread on her pants.
The queen nodded, but remained silent, her golden hair shimmering in the afternoon sun.
“It’s not Casimir’s fault, you know,” Ava blurted, unable to stand the silence any longer.
The queen tilted her head as if waiting for her to go on.
“I’ve seen the way you look at him. Like he’s a thorn in your side. You despise him for just existing when it’s really your husband you should be angry with.”
Ava knew this was bold, and though she didn’t want tooffend Seraphina, she couldn’t help but defend Casimir. He didn’t want to be here, yet he came to ask for help. And the way his family treated him infuriated her.
“Why don’t you say what you came here to say? My personal business is none of your concern.”
The queen had never spoken this much around Ava, and she had to mask her surprise at her frankness. Normally quiet and demure, perhaps this was how she truly was.
Ava took a sip of tea, clutching her cup in her hands. “I don’t believe your husband wants to help in the war. I was hoping to get your thoughts on his position.”
“My position is whatever his is.”
“He truly doesn’t care?” Ava asked. “He’d rather see Eorhan potentially destroyed than help defeat our enemies?”
“Orion may be sharp around the edges, but he’s not a liar. If he says he won’t help, then he won’t. His mind is not easily swayed.”
Ava snorted. “Sharp around the edges. That’s one way to put it.”
“Do not insult me or my family in my home,” Seraphina said, her voice with a slight edge.
So, she did have a backbone. Just not around her husband.
Ava took a breath, urging herself to stay calm. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Apology accepted.” Seraphina took a sip of tea. “I’ll give you two more minutes, then I would like to enjoy my afternoon in peace.”
