Page 161 of Ashborne Forged

“Engaged?” I asked. I could feel Voski’s tension, as he could feel mine. I wished there was a way to share this with him, to show him what I saw. I would try to send the memories later when I was less distracted, and see if he had any insight.

“The king wishes to speak with me. We have much to discuss in preparation for the wedding.”

That meant I would be left with the queen. “I will ensure the queen isn’t bored,” I said dutifully. “She likes to talk about fashion, and the wedding dress is an excellent—”

“The queen will be with us. What we discuss involves both of them,” he said briskly. I waited, but he offered nothing else.

Then, to my surprise, we were escorted toward the king’s private office, here on the ground floor. It was his sanctuary. At the end of a hall, guarded at all times, and only entered when invited personally by the king himself. Men were sometimes welcomed for cards or drinks on these nights, but never so early in the festivities. And never, to my knowledge, only one man.

‘I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m nervous. We’ve been invited to the king’s private study—or at least, Breckon has.’ I showed Voski the corridor as we passed the guards to enter. Thankfully, he recognized it.

‘I’ll be there in minutes. Just keep talking.’

‘You can’t come here!’ I was so frantic to get through to him, I clung more tightly to Breckon’s arm. He thought I was impressed by the massive sculptures in the alcoves, and our entrée into this private domain, and he smiled smugly.

“Don’t worry, dear. Anything that benefits me, benefits you, in the end. No need to be nervous. Yet.”

Yet? I glared up at Breckon, but we’d just reached another door. The king and queen swept through, Breckon leading me right behind them.

But when the door was closed by the guards behind us, the short, narrow hallway was so dimly lit, and so silent, it raised the hair on the back of my neck. All sounds of the castle beyond, the hum of the crowds in the adjoining corridor, the servants moving through the spaces, even the guards… it was cloaked entirely behind that door.

Which meant any sound on this side would be equally deadened.

And the guards hadn’t accompanied us here.

The king murmured and the queen giggled, then they opened a very normal looking door at the end of the short hallway, which opened out into a small, square anteroom.

There was another door, directly opposite the one we’d just used to enter, but to left and right, the square space widened. The walls were covered in thick curtains, like the alcoves in the grand corridors between residential wings. Each, shadowy, curtained half-square, home to a wide bench seat and nothing more.

I wasn’t sure, but my stomach went cold when the king threw a pointed look at Breckon over his shoulder, then walked through the next door.

Breckon tugged me to a halt as I caught a glimpse of a massive room beyond that door, with plush carpet, floor-to-ceiling shelves, an ancient, stone fireplace, and wide, masculine furniture. But he tugged me around, pulling me to a halt facing the door through which we’d entered, instead, and smiling.

“You’ll stay here,” he said, tipping his head toward one of the benches. “This discussion will be private.”

I blinked—and my heart rose. I hadn’t been alone in weeks. “Of course,” I said breathlessly.

Breckon’s smile widened. “Don’t get any ideas. Through that door, you will find the royals—and don’t believe they won’t punish you if you make an appearance where you aren’t invited. And through the other, the hallway through which we arrived, with guards beyond the door there. This is not your chance for escape dear, I’m very sorry to disappoint.”

My heart sank, but I didn’t let it show, only clasped my hands to my chest. “I would never flee you, Breckon. Not after all this. I’m the grateful, happy bride… remember?”

He huffed and rolled his eyes. “Just stay quiet. Sleep if you wish. But we will return to the ball after this, so take care to keep yourself in order. And don’t embarrass both of us by attempting to talk the guards into freeing you. They aren’t men who can be bribed, or persuaded. Trust me.”

Dammit. “I would never presume…” I said softly, sinking into a formal curtsey.

His eyes narrowed like he thought I’d been disrespectful, but wasn’t sure how. But then he let go of my arm and marched into the office, after the king, turning to shoot a dark look at me, before closing the door between us.

I stood there a moment, gaping, uncertain what had just happened. But then I plopped down onto the velvet bench seat and stared at the door. And a tiny thread of hope opened in my chest.

‘I’m alone. Truly alone. I can’t leave, but I can talk!’

A rumble of something reached me through the bond. ‘Are you certain no one is watching you?’

‘Yes. Closed doors on both sides. There’s a little anteroom here. A waiting room for the king’s pleasure, I think. In any case, Breckon told me I could sleep if I needed to. They obviously plan to be in there a while.’

‘Are you certain you’re alone?’

‘Yes! Now, please, tell me what’s—’