Page 71 of The Rat King
“A word of caution Olive. It seems our queen was telling the truth at her claim that she was defending herself. His Majesty was quite adamant about that in the meeting this morning and he will not permit any sentiment to the contrary. Our queen is also a curse breaker and has the heart and the ear of our warlock king. Sir Robert Musson and his son, if the rumor is to be believed, were executed on the spot for their disparaging words about Her Majesty. So, as you make your way out of the castle, I would urge you to seal your lips,” Leviticus said. It was finally enough that Olive spoke no more.
Urgent heel strikes snapped into the stone getting louder, so I peeled myself off the wall and made to seem like I was just approaching the doorway. We met under its arch and Olive’s tan skin blanched as her gaze met mine. Then as if surprising herself, she dipped into a low curtsey, murmuring, “Your Majesty.”
“Olive,” I greeted. As she rose there was an unmistakable tremble in the hands she clasped at her waist. Before, when I bumped into her in the hallways she had been much more confident, smug even. This was the woman who encouraged Xavier to force me, which had gotten him killed. I hardly knew what to say, but I was her queen so I had to say something. Or at least dismiss her from my presence.
I think I was as startled as she was, so I said the only thing I could think to say which was the truth. “I’m surprised to see you here still. With Xavier gone, I didn’t think you had a reason to stay.” The implication was clear.Leave.
My claws had accidentally slipped out and a look of horror flashed across her face as it became apparent we both understood exactly what I was talking about. Her delicate hand came to her mouth and her auburn ringlets bounced as she bobbled, unable to speak. I stared at her until she finally found her words and said, “If I may, I was actually just leaving, Your Majesty.”
I gave her a polite smile and said, “You may,” thoughplease dowas on the tip of my tongue. With that, she scampered away down the hall, and I entered the kitchen.
Eyeing Nickola, I said, “I trust Leviticus has prepared you to expect some changes.” I figured it was best to just rip the Band-Aid off, and I might as well use what I had overheard to my benefit. “I gather that the changes I plan to make will require additional staff so Leviticus and I will see to providing that for you right away. I know you must be excited to learn something new.”
Nickola blinked a few times in stunned silence as I plastered a smile on my face and shifted my attention to Leviticus who was giving me a knowing grin. Yep, he knew I heard them speaking. The man was a total politician, as was my initial suspicion. And I was glad that he knew I overheard them because that meant we knew where each other stood and that would make the rest of what I planned to do that much easier.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Nickola said, holding out his arm to welcome me into his domain.
“Great,” I said. “Let’s get started.”
Chapter 51
Nighval
Averyhadbeenworkingtirelessly for a week now, meeting with nearly every merchant in the city and nearly all the castle staff. I hated to think of the bills that were coming, but it made her happy and driven. And while it would be a considerable sum, technically, we had the coin. Maintenance had fallen by the wayside during the nineteen years of the curse, and our coffers were full.
I was due for my weekly meeting with my mother, and I wanted to see my wife once more before I left. Something about being in her presence bolstered my mood, even though we hadn’t officially reconciled yet. She seemed pleased enough I hadn’t sent her back to the palace and we hadn’t broached the topic of sending her back to her plane. It was like she planned to ignore it until it went away, and I was still enjoying watching her.
She ran her hands through her hair as I approached and continued pacing in front of several design boards lined against a wall in the sitting room she’d transformed into an office.
“Good afternoon,” I said.
“Oh, hi, Nighval,” she said, not removing her attention from her work.
Since I yelled at her, she had taken to using my full name again, and every time she said it, it was a reminder we needed to reconcile. That I needed to pull her back into my arms, and forgive her. But she was done apologizing, and she seemed so unaffected that I didn’t know what to do. All I knew was that being around her eased the ache in my chest that not having her with me each night caused.
What if she was only doing this to be queen again? It’s why she originally came here from what she told me. While I desperately wanted to place my heart back into her care, I was too petrified to do it for fear I was reading the situation wrong.
Lost in her thoughts, she said, “Which of these do you prefer? I can’t decide.”
I looked over the four samples she was pondering. Each arrangement contained fabric samples, mockups for tapestries, swatches of rugs, and paint colors.
“Which room is this for?” I asked.
“The banquet hall. I’m leaning toward the green because it signifies new growth, but I like the blue as well,” she said. “I’m pretty sure we can rule the red out. I’m so sick of that color. It reminds me of blood and outdated royalty. We need something new and fresh, don’t you think?”
I thought back to when I had saved her, knowing that was the memory she relived. Why she hated the color. “I think I favor the blue, but, of course, if you decide on the green, I’ll be happy with that.” I touched her elbow, and she turned, finally regarding me. Her eyes widened as if she only then realized I may have approached her for a reason.
“I’m going to see my mother,” I said.
“Oh. Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” she asked. I appreciated her willingness to come. I suspected it wasn’t because she wanted to escapethis time, but she wanted to be there for me in solidarity. I still hadn’t figured out what changed, however, and until I understood what she was up to, I planned to watch it play out. That tear in my heart was too raw. Still, I longed for her to mend it.
“Will the banquet hall be ready by the next full moon?” I asked.
An eager grin lifted the corner of her lips. “It can be if you felt we had a need for it.”
It would be a month since our wedding night, and we hadn’t had a formal reception. This would be the perfect time for our reconciliation. An idea formed in my mind.
“Yes, I think it’s time we invite our court to pay their respects to their new queen. The warlocks can take care of delivering notices and transportation. Will you be able to manage everything else, with Leviticus’s help, of course?” I gave her a wry smile. Since the council meeting she barged in on, she occupied every waking hour of the man’s time with tasks.
