“That was before I learned you were with child. I wouldn’t abandon you like that.”
“No, you would just abduct me from my home.”
Keyain sighed, shaking his head, looking off into the garden. “I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
Marietta did. It was a lie—one he would discover eventually, but she didn’t expect to be around when that happened. Between the false pregnancy and Wyltam’s behavior, she recognized there was little reason to stay. After the meeting with the Queen, she’d ask for the Temple of Therypon for protection. She would finally be free.
Chapter Eighty-One
Valeriya
The sun’s warmth spread across Valeriya’s skin as she walked arm in arm with Tryda, another afternoon spent with the elven female. She was the Lady-In-Waiting to Wyltam’s mother for two hundred years; yet Valeriya had never brought herself to trust her. Tryda was kind, offering to guide Valeriya through the transition to Satiros, but she lacked awareness of political intrigue. She was, however, an excellent source for court gossip.
“In other news,” Tryda said, her dark skin glistening in the sun, “have you heard about Marietta?”
Valeriya snapped her head out of thought, looking at her. “That depends. What about her?” Did she have another incident with Wyltam? The girl took it upon herself to further irate Keyain through Wyltam, only to make a fool of herself. If she had told Valeriya of her plans, she could have warned her.
“The ministers found Marietta lingering outside the meeting room door while Keyain held his meeting. Royir caught her in the hall.” Tryda smirked.
Valeriya stilled the panic that wished to rise in her face. “Why would she be doing that?” she asked, feigning ignorance. Marietta was gathering information for her, and Wyltam caughtthe half-elf. She steadied her thoughts, not letting her mind run wild with the implications.
“That’s the interesting part—Marietta’s with child!” Tryda said with a laugh, a broad smile on her face. “She was so excited that she didn’t want to wait to tell Keyain. It was sweet. Foolish, but sweet.”
Valeriya almost laughed. There was little possibility she carried Keyain’s child. After their last tea time together, she had done some digging. Amryth, the guard who was often with Marietta, had been getting contraceptives from the guard’s infirmary. Why would a female who was only attracted to females need to prevent a pregnancy? Amryth didn’t, of course. More than likely, Marietta took those from her.
“Wow, another child at court!” Valeriya said, feigning surprise. “Just after she and Grytaine were talking about having children.”
“I know! Poor Marietta, likely already trying, and we pried into her personal ordeal.” Tryda stopped to examine a flower, bringing her nose to the bloom to smell.
Valeriya rolled her eyes at her back. Poor girl indeed, sleeping with Keyain in order for their plan to work. The news of her pregnancy would spread, which could pose a problem. How would the Exisotis react if they caught wind that she was pregnant with Keyain? They’d be outraged, of course, assuming Keyain forced himself onto her. The threat of them apprehending Marietta just became higher. Perhaps it was time for Marietta to leave the palace as well.
Tryda stood and turned to Valeriya. “I just met Dyieter on his break before seeing you. He said that Keyain seems nervous, probably because ofthosenasty rumors going around; yet, when Dyieter pulled him aside, Keyain admitted that it’s all he ever wanted. Such a sweet husband.”
That would be an issue. Keyain already hovered around Marietta. He would only grow worse now that he believed she was carrying his child. It could still work; Valeriya could sneak her out in the passages under the palace. That was if she would work up the nerve to message Katya. After years of being apart, she hoped Kat still cared for her enough to help her escape Satiros, to give her a place to go.
“I’m happy to hear about his excitement,” Valeriya lied. “Do you know how Marietta is handling the news?”
Tryda continued walking down the path, her eyes taking in the scenery. “Excited, but I think she’s nervous, with obvious reasons to be. Why else would she not wait until his meetings finished?”
“Perhaps she feels more alone in this court than we realize.” Valeriya recognized the feeling.
“I should reach out to her later this week once she’s had time to digest the news.” Tryda glanced at Valeriya, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “I’ve seen my fair share of children grow up at this palace. Their child and Mycaub could grow up to be as close as Keyain and King Wyltam, with less drama, of course.”
Valeriya knew of the drama she referred to. “It would be wonderful for them to grow up as friends,” Valeriya said, smiling at the thought. “If they have a girl, she could be the future queen after me.” She bemused the thought of Mycaub and Marietta’s non-existent child.
Tryda huffed. “That’s impossible. Even if her features lean more elven, we would know she isn’t a true elf. Can you imagine a half-elf queen?” She laughed at the idea.
Valeriya forced her soft laugh. “Ridiculous. Wyltam would never allow it.”
“The citizens wouldn’t allow it. Imagine the uprising,” she said, laughing once more. “If the child is born with Marietta’shalf-elven features, I wonder what fate they will find at court. Hopefully, I’ll still be around for it.”
Valeriya smiled. “I think you have many years left in you yet, Tryda.”
She and Tryda parted ways. Valeriya had to pack a few things while afternoon meetings distracted Wyltam. She smirked. The false news probably hurt him as well. Oddly, she pitied her husband, the male having to be so close to the person he yearned for, yet never getting what he wanted. She imagined Wyltam sitting next to Keyain, who undoubtedly discussed his future child. It’s all the pain he deserved. Her only regret is that she didn’t have more time to dangle it in front of him.
Later that afternoon, Valeriya sat at her desk and reread her script one more time. For the past hour, she wrote out the best way to convey her message to Katya, of how to ask for help. Now she only had to contact her, but why was it so hard?
It surprised Valeriya how simple it had been to open up to Katya once they became more than rivals. Never one to judge, Katya understood when she should listen or when she should give advice. She always knew what to say or do when it came to her emotions—ever a rock. What made reaching out difficult now? Because seven years had passed. Because there was a chance that Katya had moved on, that she no longer felt the same for Valeriya. Seeing Katya with someone else would hurt, but she would still help Valeriya.
