Page 150 of Ashborne Forged

To my shock, I’d barely straightened from my curtsey when the queen separated from her husband—rare in itself—and swept across the carpet toward me.

“Dear Grace, I’m so glad that you weren’t too weary after your travel to join us this evening. I should like to speak with you about the wedding dress!”

Hanson bowed and after a few mannerly words, politely farewelled us, while Breckon grimaced, looking trapped. But he dutifully stayed at my side as the queen gushed about Sierral silks and handmade Draeventhall laces.

“…you must allow me to bring her to the seamstresses tomorrow, Breckon!” she insisted. “Surely, you’ll be joining Burk on his foray with the birds tomorrow?”

Burk was the first name of the king. Only the queen would use it in company. She referenced the king’s love for hunting with his birds of prey.

“Of course,” Breckon said. “I planned to ride—but I had also hoped the Lady Grace might join me. She is such a skilled rider, and we’ve had very little time—”

“Oh, there are years ahead of you for riding,” the queen said, rolling her eyes. I wondered if she intended the innuendo, or not. “When you leave the castle, send her to me. I’ll watch over her until your return.”

I watched Breckon hesitate, knowing he couldn’t protest to the queen a second time, but every fiber of his being resisted the idea of leaving me in anyone else’s hands.

“Certainly, Your Majesty,” he said, dipping his head in false modesty. “You humble us both with your attentions. Please, allow me to provide the guard to ensure you both remain safe. With so many strangers in the castle to prepare for the wedding, we can’t be too careful!”

“That won’t be necessary,” the queen fluttered.

“Oh, but I insist—as a measure of my respect for my queen, and adoration of my fiancée,” he added quickly.

The queen gave him a remarkably speaking look, but only nodded. “Of course. Thank you.”

And just like that, I was to meet the queen in the morning. Without Breckon.

I wanted to cheer. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” I added sincerely. “I will look forward to it.”

She waved away my gratitude, and launched into a tirade about how important it was that I choose silk over sateen fabric, but just a few moments later she was interrupted by the butler, murmuring that the meal was prepared. Then we were all called to the table.

I was seated between Breckon and one of the women closer to my mother in age. The meal might have been pleasant enough, but the woman stared at me with a bitter edge in her eyes from the moment we were seated, and spent most of the meal tittering with her husband on her other side. Breckon, seated to the king’s left, which was a huge honor, spent most of the meal chuckling with the king about hunting plans.

Each time I tried to catch the eye of the younger woman across the table from me, she sniffed and turned her head. So, in the end, I simply ate, and sat in silence. And the longer I did so, the more I was reminded of what a joy it had been to befriend Bren here. She’d been a warm spot in this sky of glittering, cold jewels.

At least the food was very good.

By the time the meal drew to a close and talk began of taking drinks in the parlor, I was exhausted, but knew I could only follow Breckon and pretend to hang on his every word. So, I allowed him to pull out my chair, then rose to my feet and took his proffered elbow, as he continued his chat with the king.

Every woman I glanced at turned away, finding a reason to speak to the others nearby, or to examine her skirts, or call for a servant. I sighed and followed Breckon, letting my thoughts wander—until they were interrupted by the flash of something bright and urgent from Koa, who still kept her distance from the castle.

‘Grace!’

I was careful to keep my expression blank as I followed Breckon to the parlor.

‘What is it?’

‘I can feel him—the mate! He draws nearer!’

The words, so deeply wanted, so incredibly unexpected, sent my heart into my throat. I gasped, and promptly caught my toe on the carpet, pitching forward like a newborn foal who hadn’t yet learned her legs.

“Dear gods, what is—” Breckon cursed and clamped his hand down on my arm where I’d dug nails into his muscle in a fierce grip, to keep myself from actually falling.

He caught my weight, then swung me upright, holding my hand on his arm, frowning down at me as I blinked and pretended to find my balance so I could focus on Koa.

‘The mate—do you mean Kham? Or Voski? Or both?’ I sent to Koa breathlessly.

‘My mate. My male. But he will not come alone, Grace!’ She was so confident. And I so desperately wanted her to be right.

“Are you well?” Lord Hanson appeared at my other side looking genuinely concerned. He ignored Breckon completely, and I suspected he only asked in order to irritate my betrothed. But I, too, wished to see Breckon discomfited at any possible juncture, so I let myself sway as I nodded.