“But I don’t wish to be Queen. And I certainly don’t wish to spend my days playing mind games with aristos and snotty men of learning, who think just because they’re male that they’re more intelligent than I.”
“Hah, as if you would put up with their games or their snotty ways. I’m not advising you to act like me… or Ostrellie… I think you’ve been doing well on your own. Beast, you say? I wish I had thought to attach a frightening moniker to my persona when I first stepped onto the throne. It might have proven useful.”
“Oh, I shouldn’t worry, Lady Cecelia, I believe there are a number of monikers people have attached to your personage that make many a person quake in their boots at the thought of dealing with you.”
The Grande Dame burst into hearty laughter. Wiping tears of merriment from her eyes, grinning. “You’re a delight.”
That grin reminded Alia instantly of Talac. “As I have said, I do not wish to be Queen, so you can stop with all your plans and plots right now. Besides which, Talac has no wish to marry me… or anyone for that matter. He’s been off loading bridal candidates rather speedily, if you hadn’t noticed.”
“Quite. Even now I believe he’s introducing the Letweah triplets at the wake to Miss Delish, Miss Freer and Lady Parkour. Their father is an extremely wealthy tea merchant. The triplets are mildly intelligent, considered handsome, and are set to divide their father’s fortune equally upon his demise. Really, I think my grandson might have missed his calling as a matchmaker.”
“That’s all the candidates accounted for then.” Alia sighed, because she was relieved it was all over, not because she was worried Talac might have decided at the last moment that one of them might suit him after all. “Then there were none!”
“No.” Lady Cecelia’s grin turned into a rather satisfied smug smile. “Then there was one.” Staring pointedly at Alia.
“No. He knows my feelings on the subject.” She’d been very clear, hadn’t she?
A knock sounded on the salon door, once… twice… a signal, as Lady Cecelia abruptly stood up. “Will you look at the time. I must be off. No, you stay and finish your tea… yes, look at how much is still left in your cup, you must be parched.” Knowing eyes twinkling in merriment as Lady Cecelia headed for the door, which was already being opened by a footman.
Why was Alia unsurprised to see Talac step forward to fill the frame.
“Grandmere?”
“Zari. I’m running late for my sewing circle, please let me pass.”
Talac looked at his grandmother and then to Alia. “Is there something you wish to share with me?”
“Lady Alia and I have just been getting to know one another.” She leaned forward, acting as if she was whispering but her voice rang around the room. “Highly unsuitable girl. I do not in any way approve.” Lady Cecelia glanced back at Alia, her expression narrow, pinched and forbidding… then she winked.
Oh, Gods, just what did the scheming old biddy think she was doing?
“As I said, I’m late.” Reaching over, patting her grandson on the shoulder, again whisper shouting for everyone to hear. “Do let her down gently.” Patting him once more before sailing past, the door shutting in her wake, leaving Talac and Alia alone to… say their goodbyes Alia assumed.
By the nine circles of hell. This day had to come eventually, and yet, it still somehow came as a surprise to Alia, it was time to say goodbye. Leave the Golden Palace and Pallene. Leave Talac. Why did sudden dread fill her? Because they had become lovers, no, more than that, friends, and she was going to miss her friend, that was all.
That was all, right?
* * *
“It appears you have won over my grandmother.” Talac smiled, moving into the room. “She thinks she’s so wily, with her double bluffs and machinations. She forgets I’ve spent a lifetime watching her antics.”
“Are you okay?” He’d clearly winced as he took the seat Lady Cecelia had recently vacated.
“It’s nothing. Just took an elbow to the ribs. My former bridal candidates were most eager to meet the Letweah triplets and I was in the way. So, what did you and my grandmother discuss?”
“Nothing much of import. Favourite funeral processions. The fact your parents met thanks to some missing jewellery, several dead bodies and a fire.”
“Bodies? As in plural? Seems my mother is still leaving a few finer details out of her re-telling. I spoke with my parents this morning. Advised them I was done with the yearly bridal candidate competition.”
“How did they take the news?”
“Surprisingly calmly.” That familiar twinkle glittered in Talac’s eyes, he was finding something vastly amusing.
Alia hadn’t had much of a chance to speak to him after the incident at the riverbank. They had rushed back upstream and thrown all the bodies into the water. Working fast and efficiently together as if they had done that kind of thing a hundred times before. Which Alia found strangely comforting and weirdly… erotic.
Then, whilst Alia helped Perri get Brandth and Deacon back to the Palace discreetly. Talac had gone to raise the alarm, carrying a dazed but compliant Levi. Who helped sell the tale of his falling in the river, and the unfortunate drownings of everyone in the fishing party who’d gone into the water after him.
A tragic tale. The aristos lapped it up.
