Chapter 127

Queen Rona said nothing, only turned away, her face even more pale than normal as she dropped her eyes to the floor. Kit got the distinct feeling there was something more her mother wasn’t telling her, but it would be futile to probe deeper into the situation now, especially from this angle. “Two of my guards lost their lives, Mother. I’d like to do something for their families. Tem has two children, and Lok was very close to his mother.”

“A pity,” Rona said, though her voice didn’t echo her sentiments. “These men swear their allegiance, promise to give their lives to protect us if necessary, Katrinetta. Think of how many members of the army have perished defending our realm.”

“Yes, Mother, that’s all very true. It’s just... I knew these men. They were good people. Might I call on Tem’s family tomorrow, give them my personal condolences? Lok’s mother lives in Eastbury, in the village of Nola, which is several hours’ ride. I would like to call on her as well....”

“Seph is from near there, is she not?” The queen’s ears perked up, and Kit realized her mother was planning something. “Perhaps she should ride on your behalf. It would be a shame for you to have to leave the castle during your Choosing.”

“I don’t think Nola is close to Seph’s hometown.” The queen tilted her head. “I suppose Seph could go, but she didn’t know Lok. And she just came from Eastbury....”

“So long as the rain holds off, it should be fine. Eliason can escort her.”

It was beginning to come together for her now. “Mother, Eli is one of my Representatives. He shouldn’t leave the castle during the Choosing either.”

“Oh, pish posh. I will give him special permission to go. It’s not as if he’s needed here anyway, Katrinetta. You said yourself the two of you have had a quarrel.”

“Yes, that’s true. But he did come to my defense tonight and was injured in the fray. I don’t think it’s in his best interest to travel. Perhaps I can send word to Lok’s mother by way of a letter.”

“Injured?” Rona didn’t bother to feign concern, only interest. “How so?”

“I’m not entirely sure. I didn’t have an opportunity to ask the details. I only know his arm was bleeding, and he was on his way to the infirmary. I will make other arrangements to send my condolences to Lok’s mother.”

“Eliason isn’t one to worry over something so small as a cut in the arm. He can go. He will go.”

It was final then. Kit had managed to put herself in a position where the man she desperately needed to clear the air with would be escorting an ex-love interest of his to another province. She swore at herself internally for opening her big mouth when she was so tired. “The labyrinth maze is the day after tomorrow, is it not, Mother? We will want them both back for that.”

Pressing her index finger to her forehead, Rona said, “Yes, yes, we’ll certainly need Seph for that. We’ve hardly enough young noblewoman as it is. We must tell her to ride directly there and back, though I suppose they could stay one night....”

Kit literally bit her tongue. She most certainly would not be giving Eli permission to stay the night anywhere with Seph. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him—but she had no reason to trust her new lady. “I will speak to them, if you please. Seph is still in my room. Will you give pardon to Eli for being out with another lady during my Choosing?”

Rona sniffled a bit raising the corner of her mouth, not answering Kit’s question. The law clearly stated a Representative could not spend a night with another woman under any circumstances, and Rona knew that. “I’m sure Eli can take care of himself.”

It was a none answer, and Kit realized her mother was desperately trying to put a scheme together. Arguing with the queen wouldn’t be the way to prevent that from happening. Instead, she would have to do what she’d already stated. “I will speak to Seph.”

“Very well,” Rona obliged, beginning to look as tired as Kit was feeling. “I’m glad you’re all right, daughter. The fate of the realm rests on your shoulders. If something were to happen to you, my bloodline would end. And I cannot have that.”

“Yes, Mother. I understand how important that is to you.” Kit tried to hide her disdain. Her mother couldn’t have cared less who it was carrying around her precious royal blood, so long as it was someone. It wasn’t as if the queen saw any redeemable qualities in Kit herself. “Will there be anything else, My Queen?”

“No, darling. Try to get some rest. And... don’t hold Pierce’s weak stomach against him. I’ve seen him in many other situations, the hunt, the archery contest, and he seems like a strong, capable man.”

Seeing no reason to argue, Kit nodded, “Yes, Mother.” There was no sense it proclaiming Pierce of Metfirth was all but done, and Kit would send him home at once if she were allowed to.

“Good night, daughter.” The queen nodded her head in dismissal, and Kit echoed her sentiment before backing to the door.

She sighed with relief when only her own guardsman led her back to her room. It was late, and Kit was so weary, she felt as if her feet were walking of their own accord. What she wouldn’t give to have Cassius lift her off of her feet and carry her back to her chambers.

It seemed to take forever to reach her own hallway, and when she rounded the corner to her room, she wasn’t surprised to see several of her Representatives waiting outside of the door. All of them had concerned expressions on their faces, but it was Cassius who spoke, “Princess Katrinetta, are you all right?”

“I’m just fine,” she assured him, smiling up at him. She briefly wrapped her arms around his neck and then hugged each of the others—Reeve, Jate, Landon, Danyen, Drake, Gavin, Zane, and Asher before moving toward her bedroom door. “I shall see you all tomorrow.”

She didn’t bother to wait for them to answer as she ducked into her room, ready to collapse in her bed. Now that the rush of energy from the attack and the consequential aftermath was over, Kit was ready to fall asleep without even putting on her gown.

Unfortunately, her ladies would not allow that to happen. They immediately began undressing her, getting her nightgown ready for her. “How did it go?” Avinia asked.

“Dreadfully,” Kit admitted. Before she forgot, she said, “Seph, the queen would like you and Eli to travel to Nola tomorrow to give my condolences to Lok’s mother.” She turned and looked at the brunette whose eyes were wide with surprise. “I do not approve of this, but the queen has ordered it. This will be a good opportunity for you to prove your loyalty to me. Also, I want you to travel directly there and back. No stopping over anywhere, regardless of what permission the queen gives you. Is that understood?”

“Y—yes, Your Majesty.” Seph bowed her head, and Kit could see her trying to decipher what it all met.

Avinia and Isla began pulling pins, and Kit struggled to keep her eyes open. “Seph, you may go. Thank you for your service. Have one of my guardsmen take you back to your room, and bar the door from within. Just in case.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Kit didn’t bother to turn and look at her, only listened to the patter of her feet as she headed out the door.

“That seems quite strange,” Avinia muttered.

“Yes. The whole thing was odd. My mother was under the impression Pierce had fought Merek off. There’s something unusual there I can’t quite put my finger on, but I’m too tired to think on it any longer tonight.” The women had pulled the last of her pins, and Kit immediately headed for her mattress.

“Would you like us to leave or stay with you?” Isla asked.

“Stay,” Kit insisted without a thought. A few times, when they were younger, her ladies had stayed with her when Kit was frightened—of a bad storm or her mother. Avinia turned out the light, and she heard the bustling of gowns turned to nightclothes but didn’t open her eyes. A few moments later, Avinia wrapped her arm across Kit’s waist, and she finally let sleep overcome her.