The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1)(6)

There was one window depicting Estus being crowned, and another of women dancing in a field. One of the original panes had been destroyed in a war, and it was replaced seamlessly with a scene of King Telau bending his knee to Queen Thenelope. It might have been my favorite of the six. I wasn’t entirely sure of her role in our history, but she was deserving enough to be immortalized in the room where all the important day-to-day living of the palace was done, and that alone was impressive.

While large tables were brought in and out for dinners, and people would come and go with seasons, the windows and the dais were always the same. I moved my eyes from the depictions of kings past to the one upon the throne now. I watched as he engaged in a deep discussion with one of his lords, but when the gold of my dress caught his eye, he turned for a second. Then, realizing it was me, he summarily dismissed the lord. I curtsied and approached the throne, welcomed by a set of warm and gracious hands.

“My Lady Hollis.” He shook his head. “You are the rising sun. Gorgeous.”

At those words all my resolve was undone. How could I be sure I meant nothing when he looked at me like that? I hadn’t watched him closely with the others; I didn’t think it was important at the time. But it felt completely unique, the way he moved his thumb back and forth on my hand, as if a single patch of skin wasn’t enough for him.

“Your Majesty is too generous,” I finally answered, ducking my head. “Not just with your words, but with your gifts. I wanted to thank you for the entire garden you sent to my room,” I said pointedly, to which he chuckled. “And I wanted you to know I was well.”

“Excellent. Then you must sit with me at dinner tonight.”

My stomach flipped. “Majesty?”

“As well as your parents, of course. I could use a change of company.”

I curtsied again. “As you wish.” I could see there were others waiting for his attention, so I quickly backed away, positively giddy. I reached out for Delia Grace’s hand, clutching her for support.

“You’re going to be set beside the king, Hollis,” she murmured.

“Yes.” The thought left me as breathless as if I’d run across the garden.

“And your parents as well. He hasn’t done that before.”

I gripped her hand even tighter. “I know. Shall . . . shall we go tell them?” I looked into Delia Grace’s all-seeing eyes, the ones that could read my simultaneous excitement and fear, the ones that saw I didn’t understand what was happening.

Those very eyes brightened as she smirked. “I think a lady of your importance should simply have a letter sent.”

We laughed as we left the room, not caring if anyone looked or made comments. I still wasn’t completely convinced of Jameson’s intentions, and I knew that the people at court weren’t thrilled by my presence, but none of that mattered right now. Tonight, I would dine beside a king. And that was something to celebrate.

Delia Grace and I sat in my room, completing the reading time she insisted we have daily. She had a variety of interests: history, mythology, and the great philosophers of the day. I preferred novels. Usually, I’d be transported to places dreamed up in the pages of a book, but today, my ears were on edge. I was listening, glancing over at the door every few minutes, waiting for them to storm in.

At the one moment I finally stumbled upon an interesting section, the doors flew open.

“Is this a joke?” my father asked, his tone not angered but shockingly hopeful.

I shook my head. “No, sir. The king extended the invitation just this morning. You seemed so busy, I thought a letter would be more appropriate.”

I shot a conspiratorial look at Delia Grace, who pretended to still be immersed in her book.

My mother swallowed, her body never fully settling in one spot as she spoke. “We are all to sit with the king tonight?”

I nodded. “Indeed, madam. You, Father, and myself. I’ll need Delia Grace with me, so I thought her mother might join us as well.”

At that, Mother’s excited fidgeting stopped. My father closed his eyes, and I recognized the action from many a time when he wanted to think over his words before he spoke them.

“Certainly you would prefer to be solely in the company of your family for such a momentous occasion.”

I smiled. “There is room for all of us and more at the king’s table. I hardly think it will matter.”

My mother looked down her nose at me. “Delia Grace, would you please leave us to speak with our daughter?”

We shared a tired look, and Delia Grace closed her book, setting it on the table before she left.

“Mother, honestly!”

She moved quickly, coming to tower over me where I sat. “This is not a game, Hollis. That girl is tainted, and she shouldn’t be in your company. At first it seemed sweet, like charity. But now . . . you have to sever ties.”

My mouth fell open. “I most certainly will not! She has been my closest friend at court.”

“She’s a bastard!” my mother hissed.

I swallowed. “That is a rumor. Her mother has sworn she was faithful. Lord Domnall only threw that accusation at Delia Grace’s mother—eight years after the fact, mind you—so he could arrange a divorce.”

“Either way, a divorce is enough of a reason to stay away from her!” Mother argued.