“Bloody cowards.”
Alden shakes his head. “Never fear, My Queen. After the ballot passes next week, they’ll have no choice but to respect your authority. You will have proven yourself a formidable political opponent — and, however grudgingly, earned the respect of even your fiercest detractors.”
“I hope you’re right,” I murmur, thinking of the nefarious plot I overheard his sister discussing last month — the one to install a marionette on the throne, his strings controlled by calculating fingers.
There are plans in place… We have allies laying the groundwork overseas… Soon, we won’t have to call that freak of naturequeenever again…
In the weeks since, I’ve kept my ear to the ground for any news of a distant Lancaster relation pitching a claim for my throne. There’s been nothing. No word. Not even Simms, with his extensive network of social connections, has heard the faintest rumblings of dissent.
I am not foolish enough to dismiss Ava’s threat as idle, though. I know her too well. Sooner or later, the Sterling family will make their pitch to usurp me. It’s merely a matter ofwhen.
My eyes slide to the man seated beside me. To the one member of that dreaded family who, against all odds, has earned a place by my side. Despite my trust in him, I’m not sure how much I should share regarding his family’s plans. He is in a perilous enough position as things currently stand, divided between his bloodline and his bond with me. I hesitate to add to that burden.
The man at the podium is finally wrapping up his speech. When he begins his closing remarks, Alden stands and subtly offers me his arm.
“Come — let’s make a quick exit, before you are swarmed, Your Majesty. We don’t want a repeat of the opera house.”
I grimace at the memory of last Tuesday, when I was swarmed by a great crowd of supporters in the gold-domed theater lobby during intermission. It took nearly thirty minutes to extract myself from the throng of cheering, purple-haired Germanians — even with the help of my guard detail. The whole second half of the opera was delayed, much to my mortification.
Get your ass home to the castle before you cause another scene, Emilia.
Rising from my seat, I link my arm with Alden’s and fall into step beside him, my pleated emerald skirt swishing around my knees. “Always looking out for me. Thanks, Alden.”
“Anytime, Queen Emilia.”
“I don’t know what I did to earn such loyalty but, for the record, I am grateful to have it.”
I feel the weight of many sets of eyes on us as we make our way toward the exit doors, but that doesn’t bother me as much as it used to. I’ve grown accustomed to living like an exotic aquarium fish, on display from all sides at all times.
Alden cants his head down slightly to mine as we cut toward the exit, platinum hair perfectly parted as ever. “You must know by now, there’s nowhere I would rather be. As long as you’ll have me by your side, Your Majesty, there I will gladly remain.”
My heartbeat picks up speed as we make our way through the empty atrium, eyes on the front doors. Riggs and Vega trail silently in our wake, shadows ensuring my safety from a respectable distance.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” Alden asks as we approach the revolving doors. “For the luncheon at Westgate?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t think you’d be attending, actually. I know things with your family have been… strained, of late.” I swallow hard. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. I chose my side willingly in this fight. I choseyou. And I would walk into Hell — or my family’s country home — if it meant helping you, My Queen. I would not ever abandon you in pursuit of my own interests, as others have done.” He pauses, voice dropping to a scornful whisper. “I don’t understand how Thorne could leave, at this of all times. Does he not realize you need support? Carter can schmooze aristocrats better than anyone. The females, at least. He would be instrumental in swaying votes to your side. And yet… He’s nowhere to be found, these days. Why is that?”
His words are a lance to the heart. When I manage to speak, I pray my voice comes out even. “He has obligations in Switzerland.”
“Yes, I heard — launching an all-inclusive ski resort with his boarding school cohorts. How terribly vital.”
I stiffen, saying nothing.
“I’m sorry — listen to me, ranting for no reason.” Alden blows out a laugh. “I just get frustrated when I feel you aren’t receiving the respect you deserve, Queen Emilia.”
I force my shoulders to relax. “Your support is very much appreciated, Alden.”
“Is it?” He winks. “I had no idea.”
“Truly — I hope you know how much I value our friendship. When we first met, I wasn’t sure we’d ever speak freely, let alone grow so close.” I allow a wry note to creep into my voice. “After meeting your sister and your parents… let’s just say,youwere a welcome surprise.”
There’s a hitch in his step, noticeable enough to make me look over at him. When I do, I find his hazel eyes have narrowed a shade. “And… Is that all we are? Friends?”
“Oh. Well, I—”
“I thought, over the past month… perhaps things were changing between us.”