Page 205 of Burn Her They Said
I tuck the paper inside a compartment in my leathers and begin, “I?—”
He waves me off. “If you were about to apologize for earlier, there is no need. If I were in your position, I would have reacted similarly.”
My eyes narrow at his sincere expression.
“It is a comfort to see how fiercely you care for her.” My heart beats heavier in my chest because anyone noticing my care for her puts us both at risk, though I am clearly incapable of hiding it. “I can trust you will make sure she is safe.”
I nod, and he retreats without a sound back down the hall whence he came.
Then another shadow looms larger, coming from the same direction, and I hold my breath until Lanska dips in a curtsy to me, without it being a requirement. “Her Royal Highness.” She slowly backs away while the Queen glides past as if nothing is different.
She strides across the room with her hair braided in a crown around her head, wearing a blue silk robe she has tied tightly around herself. The matching slippers clop over the carpet until she turns and pins her eyes on mine while slowly lowering to sit in the chair she used before.
I bow to her and clear my throat. “Thank you for seeing me, especially under the circumstances.”
“To which do you refer?”
“Your Harvest Festival coming to such an explosive end.”
“So, you were going to ignore the fact you put your hands on my son, the Crowned Prince, after he whisked your…charge away in an effort to keep her safe.”
Heat spreads across my cheeks and over the bridge of my nose. “I apologize. I acknowledge my response was both aggressive and inappropriate.”
The Queen holds her hand up to stop me. “He deserved every bit of the fight you gave.” I fail to hide my shock as she continues. “He knows the protocol.” Her eyes scan my face, bringing more heat to burn beneath my cheeks. “He should have left her to you.”
I nod in appreciation. “What do you know of the blast so far?”
“Do you trust that she is safe while you are here questioning me?”
My mouth dries to the point I must pry my tongue from the roof of my mouth to answer her. “Do you truly believe me capable of parting from her otherwise?”
The Queen does not respond, though a new glint shines from her eyes.
“The rest of her Guards are watching over her in one of the guest rooms. We did not think it safe to take her back to the same one she had been assigned.”
She cocks her head to the side. “Your methods of protecting her are…unconventional.”
“We need to know if it is safe for her to stay here any longer, or if we need to extract her.”
“Can you ever truly know if she will be safe?”
“We can do our best, based on the information we have. As you are familiar, if someone intends to access you, they will find a way to do so.” Her expression reflects what I’ve learned of her history, with a multitude of assassination attempts throughout her reign. “Do you know where the Emperor is hiding?”
“Last I was told, he and his party went to their respective suites.”
So little information.
“Do you know if he is aware that Imperial Grand Witch Tasch is alive and well?”
She shrugs, and her face is unreadable.
“Thank you for your time, Your Royal Highness.” I bow and flex my hand while it itches to check the watch in my pocket.
“I am sorry I was not able to offer much help.” She stands, and I wait for her to leave so I might return to Tasch and tell her what little I have gleaned from this meeting.
Upsetting her for nothing.
Yet the royal continues to stare in my direction, and I am unable to receive whatever message she may be trying to send me. I take a step closer while dropping my gaze in deference as she whispers, “I fear we may have a breach, so I must speak low.”
