A dark expression crossed Marietta’s face. “Keyain only tells me what’s convenient for him. But please, tell me about this Brynden.”
“Yes, Elyse,” drawled Sylas. “What do you have to say about Brynden?”
With her heart racing and mood plummeting, Elyse spun around to dismiss Sylas with a scowl, but Marietta already threw him an icy expression. “And who might you be?” she asked.
With his own scowl, he raised a brow. “Lord Sylas Tygenbrook, Emissary to Chorys Dasi, errand boy to Lord Brynden.”
Marietta observed Sylas from head to toe, pausing on his face with a smirk. “A pleasure to meet you, Lord Sylas,” she said as she stuck out her hand. “I’m Lady Marietta Vallynte, a curious friend of Elyse.”
Sylas hesitated, then took Marietta’s hand.
“Tell me,errand boy of Lord Brynden,” she said, crossing her arms, “why you wish to start rumors by hounding us on our walk?”
Elyse’s mouth went dry. She had no intention of telling him that.
“Is that why you keep running from me, Elyse?” Sylas asked, pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “Even though Brynden wrote you another letter?”
Marietta’s stare cut through Elyse as she stared wide-eyed at Sylas. “I just… you were talking… and after Brynden…” Gods, why couldn’t she talk? Elyse’s throat tightened as she struggled with her words.
“I seem to be missing some details,” Marietta said, dragging her gaze to Sylas. “Elyse believes that you chasing after her in a public manner will start rumors, and you are a friend of this Brynden who apparently wrote her a letter.”
Marietta narrowed her eyes and glanced at Elyse. “Ah, perhaps a love letter. From the look on your face, something bad happened between you and this Brynden. Or his love goes unrequited? And by Sylas hunting you down, you think the courtiers will start rumors about you and Brynden?”
Elyse furrowed her brows under Marietta’s intense gaze. Gods, she was so close, except…
“No,” she said excitedly. “You’re anxious that they’ll start rumors about you and Sylas! Rumors aboutanotherChorys Dasian who’s interested in you.”
Heat crept across Elyse’s cheeks, marveling at Marietta’s deduction. “Yes,” she whispered, avoiding Sylas’ gaze.
“That’s what you’re worried about?” Sylas said, attempting to step into her line of sight.
“Yes, Sylas!” Elyse snapped, turning to him. “I know how this court thinks. If you’re chasing after me or they saw us together, they’ll think I’m just trying to get another husband.”
“Funny, because I just left that conversation saying I need to deliver a letter on behalf of Brynden to you,” he said, thrusting the paper to her. “I’m not trying to embarrass you.”
Shame pitted her stomach, realizing that Sylas would do his best to deflect such rumors. Elyse grabbed the paper. “Thanks, you can go now.”
“Brynden asked that I watch your reaction as you read so I can share it with him later,” he said with a laugh. “And to answer any questions you may have.”
“Gods,” Marietta murmured, the smirk coming back to her face. “This Brynden is pining after you, Elyse.”
“I would hope so, considering she accepted his hand in marriage,” Sylas said dryly.
“Oh?” Marietta gave her a grin.
“Not oh. I ended the betrothal.” Elyse avoided their stares by glaring at the paper in her hands.
“And yet he still sends you love letters,” she said, glancing at Sylas.
“I’d like to return to my conversation with those two ladies if you would please just read the letter.” Sylas looked over his shoulder with a sigh.
With a glance towards Marietta’s eager face, Elyse unfolded the paper.
Hope is a blessing from my goddess’s lips, her hands offering me the sweetest gift. I am once again finding myself unworthy.
You have heard my prayers, my calls to you desperate and pleading, wishing to be deemed worthy of your presence. Though you speak in images and single-word meanings, your voice permeates through it all. Oh, how I long to beg on my knees to you, my honey-eyed goddess.
I would give you my hands in prayer to have your divine honey coating my fingers.
