Jaterius of Rockdale was presented to her a moment later. She didn’t catch his family name as she’d been distracted, but he had lovely hazel eyes and a kindness about him Kit had yet to encounter in any of the other Representatives. “It’s lovely to meet you, my Princess,” he said, bowing low to her. His smile was warm and affectionate but there was something unassuming about him, as if he were unsure of himself.
“You as well,” Kit replied, offering her hand, which he took and planted a soft kiss near her knuckles. “I trust your trip was comfortable enough?” She felt as if she was always asking the same question, but then, none of the delegates would know that unless they had a discussion about her later, something she doubted would be happening just yet.
“Comfortable enough, my Princess,” he replied with a nod. He wasn’t much taller than she was, which also struck her as different. Most of the Repr
“Your Majesty, Queen Rona, I am Lita of Noblewood. May I present to you my grandson, Jecobian of the family Noblewood of Eastbury.”“How do you do?” Rona asked, and Kit noted this was the most pleasant her mother and been all morning. In fact, she greeted them with a smile much wider and more genuine than any of the others Kit had seen since the welcoming ceremony had begun. “I heard of your difficulties, and I am pleased to see you’ve made it through unscathed.”“Yes, it was quite the hardship,” Lita said, making a tsking sound with her tongue. “We are happy to be alive, aren’t we Jecob?”Startled by the question, the Representative asked, “What’s that, Grandmother?” Kit did her best to hold back a giggle, but she knew why he hadn’t been listening to the older woman. His eyes had been locked on hers the entire time.“I said we are
The rest of the line of people came by, but Jecobian’s dazzling smile stayed in Kit’s mind’s eye, and once the next delegation came into view, down the road quite a ways, Kit thought she might not make it through another meeting such as that one. She needed a fan, some water, and a place to lie down.“You liked that one, didn’t you, darling daughter?” her mother asked, a hint of excitement in her tone.“I did,” Kit admitted. “He has been one of my favorites thus far.”“Good,” was all her mother said in response, and Kit wondered what it was about Jecobian that made her mother so pleased. She doubted she’d ever find out. Questions about what really happened in the attack lingered, but she knew she’d not get answers from her mother whose lips were sealed tight on that matter—and most others.It took an hour for the next delegation, presenting Owin from the province Ald
The scent of Wrenbrook was unique, like the castle itself, and as Eli made his way through the towering metal infused doors on the west side of the castle, the odor washed over him, triggering a flood of memories. It seemed odd to him that mustiness, the scent of stone, carved wood, and sweat from thousands of bodies, could all mingle together to create such a distinctive, all encapsulating experience, but there it was nonetheless, and for part of him, it was as if he’d never left.Dozens of greetings were flung his way as he made his way down the long hall that led to the army bunkers. A member of the Queen’s Guards had caught up with him as he was dismounting and ordered him to go there until Her Majesty sent for him. He wasn’t surprised. Apparently, he was a threat to the queen, despite the fact he’d proven himself incapable of completing even the first step that would’ve been necessary for him to thwart her, and despite all of her apprehensio
Two more guards opened the doors to the queen’s private throne room. Her essence filled the space, even though she was seated a great distance from the door. Something about her presence overpowered the other dozen or so women who sat near her, as if their authorities combined couldn’t begin to compare with that of the queen, but Eli was glad they were here. At least, if Queen Rona tried to send him to his own execution for no reason, he’d have witnesses to the injustice, not that anyone would likely dare to interfere.He bowed low, and she offered her ring, which he kissed, though he was certain the idea of his lips anywhere near her was almost as repulsive to her as it was to him. Nevertheless, that was custom, and she left him staring at the red and gold carpet for much longer than necessary before she finally gave him the command to rise, likely just to show him she was still in charge. He hadn’t forgotten.When he met her eyes, he noted she
Rona watched Eliason leave the room, her eyes staying on him as if he were an insect, and she might need to squash him at any moment. Thoughts from her past intermingled with the present for a moment, and she narrowed her eyes even further. Why she had allowed him to stay in her castle for so long momentarily escaped her, and part of her wanted to fling him out into the world, sending him as far away as he could go.“It’s a shame,” Zora said quietly. Rona’s head swiveled slowly to face her cousin. The queen did not speak, only waited. “I know he hasn’t spent much time in his home province, but Katrinetta has always been fond of him.”A chirp escaped the queen’s lips. “You can’t actually be suggesting Eliason Goedwig would’ve been a good choice for my daughter?”Zora shrugged. She was one of the few council members who never seemed to care if she raised the queen’s ire. “I’m
Three long days of standing in the heat, greeting guests, meeting many attractive, and a few not-so-attractive, men had Kit exhausted, and she was beginning to wonder why she’d ever consented to this ridiculous Choosing in the first place. Of course, then she remembered she hadn’t. She’d been born to it, and whether or not her aching feet approved, she was bound to continue.“Don’t worry. Today will be much easier,” Avinia assured her as she brushed out her long hair. “You’ve already received all but ten of the Representatives, and according to the scouts your mother sent out, only four or five of the remainder will arrive today.”“Which means you may sit in your chambers until you are called for,” Isla noted.Her mother had explained the situation the day before, but Kit was fairly certain that the closest delegation would arrive within the hour, so she would still have to trek all the way out to
On the sixth night of the welcoming, her mother declared the next day Kit would be free to speak to the Representatives, and while she was glad to finally have the ban lifted, the proclamation made everything seem much more real.Kit took refuge in her flower garden, the one place where she still felt at peace. The sun was beginning to set, and two of her guards kept watch for intruders off in the distance, but their backs were turned, and she doubted they were truly paying her any mind.She hadn’t seen much of Eli, and sometimes she forgot he was back at all until she came across him in the hallway. He’d always smiled and greeted her, and she’d arrange her face so that she might appear to be happy if he weren’t studying her too closely and then go on about her business. She’d always just assumed he wouldn’t be here for all of this, and if she ever saw him again, it would be after she’d already chosen the man she’d spend
Avinia’s voice off in the distance jarred Kit back to reality. While she was fairly certain they hadn’t broken any rules, she couldn’t take the chance. Kit pushed herself away from him, but Jecobian’s mouth would not release her neck. She tried again, wanting to say his name, to feel it on her tongue, but not allowing herself to speak. She doubted her own mother would have her head for any of this, particularly since the queen seemed to like Jecob, but she didn’t want to take the chance. One more shove, and he looked up, finally hearing Avinia’s cries, too.He pulled on her arm, as if he would lead her farther into the garden, but she knew better. Avinia would have the entire guard out looking for her. She gestured back at the gate and realized she was allowed to speak to her cousin. “I’m coming! Just a minute!”With a heavy sigh, Jecobian leaned down and kissed the back of her hand, and Kit soaked in the warmth tha