Prince Kael put her on edge.
Now, she had thoughts swirling through her mind about her mysterious cloak. She had waited for this moment her whole life, and now, she couldn’t even concentrate on the fact that she had been summoned to speak with the Consort.
Cyrene reached the room where the Consort conducted her business. The noise and hectic behavior of the Queen’s rooms were replaced with laughter and the strumming of a harp. Only a select few Affiliates and members of the High Order lounged within the rectangular hall. It was a communal place of educational advancement, deep philosophical discussion, and entertainment that resulted in enlightened attainment.
An elaborately painted mural covered every inch of wall space from floor to ceiling. It was as if she were entering a forest with hundreds of trees, gorgeous green undergrowth, and birds in the brightest colors imaginable. A panther stalked the forest floor on one side. Dozens of monkeys swung on the branches high above their heads.
Candles floated around the otherwise dim room, illuminating the atmosphere. A tiered fountain produced the faint sound of water trickling from the canopy. Affiliates rested on forest-green settees, and countless pillows that resembled a pebble-bottom river ran through the moss-blanketed room.
The men of the High Order sat in hard-backed oak chairs around a matching table that appeared to be coming out of the largest painted tree in the room. It was an unbelievably big oak that stretched beyond the wall and into the ceiling.
The most striking aspect of the mural was that the leaves only grew on one half of the tree. It gave the appearance of the tree being perpetually stuck in both summer and winter seasons—forever half alive and half dead. She could feel the power coming off the mural. It spoke of caution, the duality of nature, and perhaps the duality of the human condition.
She shook off the thoughts that had come over her and tore her eyes from the mural. Thus far, no one had noticed her appearance in the Consort’s chambers. She hated to interrupt the few people who were deeply involved in their work.
Suddenly, a door materialized out of thin air, peeling back one of the larger trees as it sprang open against the far wall. Consort Daufina stood regally in the open doorway. She was as majestic as the last time Cyrene had set eyes on her. She wore a gown with multitiered skirts beginning at her waist with the palest of lavenders deepening to the darkest amethyst at her feet. The tight corset dress interwoven with amethysts rose to a sweetheart neck, and soft sheer lace covered her arms and buttoned at her neck. Her midnight-black hair hung loose over her shoulders.
“Affiliate Cyrene,” she said cheerfully. She waved Cyrene into the alcove she had just vacated.
Her study mirrored the outside forest, and the Consort reclined in a cushioned chair placed at a small circular table. As Cyrene took the seat next to her, as directed, she realized there was no head to the table. The thought made her smile.
“Would you care for some tea?” Daufina’s bracelets jingled on her arm as she motioned toward a teapot sitting over a burning fire.
“No, thank you, Consort Daufina.”
Consort Daufina chirped with laughter. She seemed much more relaxed than any time Cyrene had seen her outside of these walls.
“Please, no need for formalities. This is my sanctuary, my escape. I refuse titles here. You will simply be Cyrene, and I will simply be Daufina.”
“Of course, Daufina.” It felt strange to say her name aloud.
Cyrene had only ever been around the Consort at her Presenting, on feast days, and during the Ring of Gardens ceremony.
“See? We’re already close friends,” she said. “I’m sure you are wondering why I requested your presence this afternoon.”
“I am, Daufina.”
“If you keep saying my name like it’s a title, then I’m going to make you call me Daffy for the rest of our meeting. You’ll get over the title quite snappy then.” Daufina smiled.
Cyrene giggled into her hand. “Has someone really called you Daffy?”
“I’ll have you know that my father did until I was seventeen. It was nearly impossible to get him to cease once I made Affiliate. He still starts all his letters to me with ‘Dear Daffy,’” she said with dismay. “At least he addresses me as Consort while he’s at court.”
Cyrene had never thought about what the Consort’s past had been like—whether she was happy or how her friends and family treated her before or after her title.
“I think I’ll stick with Daufina. It’s rather beautiful, if I do say so.”
“Thank you. It’s a family name. Every first daughter across the generations has it. Can you imagine what it is like to get the entire clan together?” She rolled her eyes.
“No wonder your father called you Daffy.”
“Yes, I suppose that was one reason.” Daufina laughed along with Cyrene. “But enough about my embarrassing history. I would like to make a request from you.”
“Oh?” Cyrene lifted her eyebrows.
“I’m not sure if you are aware, but I ride alongside Edric during the procession. It is part of my duty as his Consort to entertain him. I’d heard the chore was burdensome, but I find it delightful. Edric is a wonderful man and ruler to his people. He cares for each one of them, and he makes it easy for me as he has many interests. And I believe you are one of those interests,” she said with a smile reminiscent of a feline.
“Me?” Cyrene gasped.
“Indeed.” Daufina examined Cyrene rather closely. “For instance, that cloak you are wearing on your shoulders, where did you get it?”
Her mouth went dry. “It was a gift.”
“I’ve seen that craftsmanship before.” She reached out and touched the soft material between her multi-ringed fingers. “It is the work of none other than a royal seamstress. Edric sent you that cloak himself, if I had to guess.”
Cyrene’s stomach dropped. It was one thing for Kael to have suggested that the King had sent her a gift, but it was quite another for Daufina to confirm it.
“You must be mistaken, Daufina.”
“I am not,” she stated simply as a matter of fact. Her tone suggested she should not be second-guessed again. “Now, I’ve made accommodations for you to be on board upon Edric’s craft destined for Albion. Do you find this suitable?”
“What’s in this for you?” Cyrene couldn’t help but ask.
Daufina’s green eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly and then returned to their congenial nature. “I would tell you that it is only to procure Edric’s entertainment for the trip, but I can see you are a woman of reason. I’ll be frank then. You have not been afforded the privilege of being around Edric nearly all his waking hours. I have that privilege, and I believe I know him better than anyone else. Probably better than he knows himself. I see the way he looks at you, and I can see how he feels about you.” Her eyebrows knitted together.
Cyrene’s mind flashed back to when she had been so close to him last night, certain he was going to kiss her. Did he always look at me like that? How many others had noticed?
Daufina continued, “I saw it the first time he set his gaze on you in the Presenting hall. I voted for your acceptance as an Affiliate because of that, whereas Kaliana voted against it for the same reason. Kaliana saw you as a threat, but I saw you as an asset.”
“Yet Kaliana is my Receiver and not you,” Cyrene spoke boldly.
“Yes,” Daufina said with a sigh. “I believe Kaliana wanted to keep tabs on you.”
So, Cyrene had been right about the Queen all along. She liked Daufina better than Queen Kaliana, yet they both wanted to use her in some way.
“You suspected some of this?” Daufina asked.
“It is hard to mistake the Queen’s dislike,” Cyrene told her.
“Yes, Kaliana is one not to be reckoned with, even on her best day,” she said through gritted teeth. “She is infuriating, that one. I’d steer clear of her if you can.”
“Easier said than done.”
“I could have you moved into my duties,” Daufina offered, seemingly offhand.
As much as Cyrene wanted to work with the Consort, she couldn’t accept Daufina’s offer. She would just be switching hands from one woman to another, and both wanted to control her. At least Daufina was open about it, but it still didn’t excuse the fact that the women had similar agendas.
“While I appreciate the offer, I think I will stay with the Queen—at least until I finish my latest assignment.”
“As you wish. The offer is always open to you. Now, the matter with Edric. I think his interest in you goes beyond your physical beauty. He does not dole out his affection lightly, and if you are important to him, then you are important to me.”
Cyrene had no idea what to say. I’m important to the King?
“You will join us on his vessel?”
She knew that she couldn’t actually refuse, but Daufina wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t important, which meant she had some bargaining power.
“Can Maelia come with me?” Cyrene asked.
“Maelia? My Maelia?” Daufina asked in surprise. “I did not realize you two were acquainted.”
Cyrene could never figure out how no one ever saw Maelia when they were together. “Yes, we’re together all the time.”
“Well, I don’t see why not. I’ll change it to two rooms then. Is there anything else you’ll require?” Daufina asked dryly. A note in her voice said Cyrene was pushing her luck if she kept trying to negotiate.
“No, Daufina. Thank you for considering me.”
“No, Cyrene, thank you. I cannot wait for our procession together.” Daufina clasped their hands together.
Even though Consort Daufina had given her much to think about, especially regarding what entertaining the King would entail, the only thing on her mind was how to let Jardana and her minions know that she was going to be seated with Edric on his vessel while they trailed behind on the Queen’s ship.
Cyrene laughed to herself as she thought about Jardana’s comment about Cyrene being on a smaller vessel than the Queen’s.
A smaller ship indeed, thanks to my newly acquired position.