Chapter 11
Only four chambers were occupied on the floor. Rooms at the end of the corridor belonged to the chancellor and the army commander. Lizaar’s chamber was situated in the middle of the corridor. Her door was decorated in rich ornaments, causing it to stand apart from the others and Lannahi sensed Gannar’s tension when they approached it. She assumed that the stewardess was worried that the previous queen was about to be evicted. It was a legitimate concern as Lizaar’s new status was that of a slave, but Lannahi passed her door wordlessly. Despite what she had to do, Lizaar was not her enemy. Lannahi needed the cooperation of the former queen for her plan to go smoothly, and she doubted that the latter would be willing to do so after something so petty as being ousted from her own chambers.
The last of the occupied rooms adjoined Lizaar’s chamber. Hearing that it belonged to Ashared, Lannahi failed to restrain a grimace of surprise. The title of Captain of the Palace Guard was one thing, but a guest chamber adjacent to her bedroom instead of a soldier’s room was another. Lizaar had a lot of trust in Ashared.
Lannahi struggled to keep from turning toward the swordsman.
They are lovers, she thought.
This conclusion was obvious. What was less so was the disappointment she felt.
Feeling Gannar’s gaze on her, Lannahi pushed aside her deliberations and focused on examining the chambers. Each of them was in fact two rooms connected by an adjoining door that separated a sitting room from the bedchamber. Since they weren’t presently in use, the rooms lacked any décor, but at least, they were clean. The biggest difference from what Lannahi was accustomed to was the size of the doors and furniture, which made her feel like a child, and the fireplaces. The landshapers apparently didn’t worry that someone might land on their roof and throw an enchanted weapon into their room as they slept.
After some thought, Lannahi decided to take the central chamber opposite Lizaar’s room. It was suggestive but not so oppressive as the outer doors were spaced alternately.
She assigned the adjacent chambers to Blann and Souhi. She was tempted to turn another one into quarters for her personal guards, but Esau had warned her against it.
This way you will isolate us from the rest of the palace residents, he said.If we reside with other guards, not only will we learn more about them, but we will also have an excuse to linger on the servants’ floors.
“Are there free rooms for my personal guards in the guards’ quarters?” Lannahi asked the stewardess.
“I believe so, Your Highness,” Gannar replied stiffly. “I will notify you when everything is ready.”
Lannahi smiled. “I need two volunteers to help me with small tasks around the palace like passing messages. Any chance you know someone suitable?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Then, ask them to invite the chancellor and the army commander to dine with me in an hour and a half. I don’t yet know where the dining room is, but I trust its aesthetics will encourage our appetite.”
The muscle on Gannar’s face twitched, but she only repeated, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Lannahi inclined her head. “You are dismissed.”
After the stewardess bowed and left, Lannahi turned to Ashared. “Captain, since I don’t intend on leaving my chambers until dinner, I will no longer need you either. Please tell Lizaar about my plans. Perhaps she’ll arrive in a better mood when she hears the invitation from your lips. You seem to have a calming influence on her.”
Ashared regarded her silently, but after a moment he bowed. “Your Highness, the guards stationed in the corridor are at your service. If necessary, summon me through any of them.”
“I will,” Lannahi said with a polite smile and entered her room, dismissing the unpleasant knot in her chest when her mind flooded with images of Lizaar consoling herself in Ashared’s arms.
The sitting area of her new chamber was situated with two elegant couches, placed opposite each other, and facing the fireplace. As in harmony with the rest of the palace, it was decorated in white and gold.
After Esau and Erril checked the rooms and Souhi levitated the luggage to them, Lannahi walked away from the window and sat down opposite of Blann.
“The crown suits you,” the flowerspeaker said. “You look like a real queen.”
“Lannahiisa real queen,” Souhi said with emphasis.
Blann covered her mouth, giggling. “You’re right. I haven’t gotten used to it yet.”
Lannahi smiled but without much mirth. “Maybe you won’t have to.”
Seeing the question in her friends’ eyes, she shared with them what Lizaar had told her.
Hearing about the shapeshifters, Blann pressed her hands to her mouth again, and her hair turned white with fear. “Does that mean we won’t be able to go outside?” she asked miserably. “I will wither here.”
“Not long ago you were complaining about the cold and said you wouldn’t leave the palace until spring,” Souhi remarked.
“Because that’s how I felt at the time,” the green-tongued said in a defensive tone.
