Chapter 30

Two more guards opened the doors to the queen’s private throne room. Her essence filled the space, even though she was seated a great distance from the door. Something about her presence overpowered the other dozen or so women who sat near her, as if their authorities combined couldn’t begin to compare with that of the queen, but Eli was glad they were here. At least, if Queen Rona tried to send him to his own execution for no reason, he’d have witnesses to the injustice, not that anyone would likely dare to interfere.

He bowed low, and she offered her ring, which he kissed, though he was certain the idea of his lips anywhere near her was almost as repulsive to her as it was to him. Nevertheless, that was custom, and she left him staring at the red and gold carpet for much longer than necessary before she finally gave him the command to rise, likely just to show him she was still in charge. He hadn’t forgotten.

When he met her eyes, he noted she looked as if she’d aged significantly these past three years. Her face was even more pale than normal, wrinkles forming in places he hadn’t remembered seeing them before, and her eyes looked blacker somehow, as if she’d soaked in more evil every day since he left.

“You called for me, Your Majesty?” he asked, stating the obvious.

Rona settled back in her throne. “Yes, of course. You and I have a few matters to discuss. How was your trip?”

He fought the smirk that threatened to break across his face. She couldn’t care less about his trip. “Eventful,” he said, hoping that would suffice.

“So I’ve heard. Tell me your version of what transpired, as I’m not sure they agree with what others have stated.”

The doubting of his ability to tell the truth would’ve bothered him if he was speaking to anyone else, but since it was Rona, it came as no surprise. He drew in a deep breath. “As you likely know, the election was heated. Jecobian had some strong opposition, particularly in the northern regions of Eastbury where Mak of the family Devin is more popular. It took several re-votes and recounts before Jecobian was declared the winner. Some of the villagers did not like the outcome, and while we were making our way here, there was a protest.”

“Ah, but that wasn’t in the northern region,” Rona corrected. “And those supporters were not angry that Mak was not selected, were they?”

Eli shrugged. He’d hoped to avoid the details, but it was apparent she already knew. “I’m not exactly sure who their efforts had gone toward, but once the shouting and rock throwing began, I asked them to stop, and they did. It really wasn’t much of an event. Only a few dozen villagers, mostly women. None of them were injured, nor was anyone in the caravan. A few hours later, the army detail you sent arrived, and we spent the night camped on the road before continuing upon our way.”

Her eyebrow arched slightly, and she breathed deeply a couple of times before asking, “What is this I’ve heard about a footman being killed. Are you saying that’s not true?”

“No, that happened, but it had nothing to do with the protestors. That occurred as we were leaving the town of Finte. He slipped and was trampled by the next carriage.” It had been a ghastly sight. The young man couldn’t have been over twelve or thirteen. Eli couldn’t imagine why she’d even asked, though. A young man’s life was of little value to the queen.

She pursed her lips as if she were considering whether or not to believe him. Finally, she resumed her seat on the throne, spreading her long, black gown out around her. “Tell me, now that you are here, what are your preferences? Would you like to stay or rejoin the army? You did much to oversee the election in Eastbury, and even if it didn’t go smoothly, or likely as you would’ve wished, your presence kept the situation from getting out of hand. But I can’t let you return to Eastbury. If Jecobian is not chosen by the princess, he will return there, and whomever he does marry will be of substantial standing among the noblewomen. You would simply… get in the way.”

As I do everywhere I go, he thought. “I am at your service, Your Majesty,” he replied with a bow. “If you should like for me to rejoin the army, that is what I shall do. If you’d rather I remain here, in your service, then I shall do whatever you command.”

“What about the service of the princess?” The question came from Junno, the Queen Mother, and Eli had not been prepared for it. His eyes strayed to the queen, who looked equally stunned that her mother had asked such a question. When he returned his gaze to the Queen Mother, she continued to stare at him in anticipation of his answer.

Put on the spot as he was, it gave him little time to weigh his response. “I shall do whatever the queen would like for me to do,” he said quickly, though the more he thought about it, the more he realized the last thing in the world he wanted to do right now was return to Kit’s service. Seeing her bat her eyelashes, flip her hair, run her hand along the arms and legs of forty-two other men and then request they join her in the private chambers meant only for one purpose…. He wasn’t sure he could bear it.

A small smile flickered across the queen’s face, and he was certain he’d given all of his thoughts away. “Very well then,” she said slowly. “I am not quite sure what I have planned for you yet, Eliason. But I am certain I shall think of something. In the meantime, I want you to stay as far away from my daughter as humanly possible. You may answer to the Army Commander and do his bidding, but make sure he knows the first part of my order. Do you understand?”

Eli ducked his head. “Yes, of course my Queen.”

“Good. Now, run along. The ladies have important matters to discuss.” The corner of her mouth pulled up in a sharp gape, and he tried not to narrow his eyes. The idea that he couldn’t comprehend whatever it was they needed to talk about simply because he was a man was an insult, and she knew that there was no truth to it. She only liked to chide whenever possible. He tried not to let it bother him and bowed again before backing to the door. She hadn’t revealed her hand entirely, and there was no way of knowing if Rona realized just how unpleasant it would be for him to watch Kit’s Choosing unfold before him. Something told him, if she figured it out, she’d find a place for him with a bird’s eye view.