there is no time to think upon that now. I cross to my cupboard, toss my traveling bag inside and strip out of my servant’s garb. Once I am dressed in my court finery, I lift the silver necklace from the bed and wind it around my neck. It is not the same as getting the note back, but it is as close to normal as I can make myself.
I take a moment to steady my breathing, then head to the king’s audience chamber to see if there is anything I can do to help Sybella.
Chapter 58
Sybella
The king’s audience chamber is only half full. With the exception of the regent, all my least favorite advisors are here. The king looks up as we enter the room. When we are close enough, Cassel gives a deep bow, as do we all.
“What is this?”
“Your Majesty, I found this man lurking in the stable. Trespasser at best, traitor at worst.”
The king’s gaze lands on Beast. “That is no traitor or trespasser, but the captain of the queen’s guard. Although I am uncertain why he is dressed as a peasant.”
I want to chortle in victory when annoyance spasms across the general’s face.
“If that is the case, why have I not seen him before now? Why has he not been guarding the queen?”
The king waves his hand. “It was what was agreed upon. The captain and his guard would attend the queen only when she and I were not traveling together.”
“Yes,” Cassel says patiently, as if to a small child. “But where has he been all this time? Why has he not been training in the yard with the other men? I have not seen him riding with the rest of the guard. Indeed, he claims to have only just returned. Did you know they were gone?”
The king frowns at this, and I want to shake him for shifting faster than a weathervane in a storm. “No. I did not.” He looks at Beast. “Where have you been?”
Beast bows deeply before speaking. “The queen sent me on her business, sire. I would not do her dishonor and speak of it without her permission.”
Cassel’s chest puffs even larger with belligerence, and the king’s nostrils flare in irritation before he speaks. “Well, then,” he drawls, his voice laced with barely concealed vexation. “We had best send for the queen.”
* * *
The queen arrives escorted by four of her ladies. She does not look in my direction or Beast’s but goes directly to the smaller throne that sits to the king’s right. She curtsies deeply—“Your Majesty”—then takes her seat.
“My lady.” He returns the greeting amicably enough, but whether it is for show or his quicksilver temperament is once again at peace with her, I cannot begin to guess. “Did you know your captain had been gone from court?”
“Why of course, my lord. I sent him.”
The king’s cordiality slips from his face like wine from a drunkard’s cup. “Without informing me?”
The queen’s forehead creases in confusion. “He is captain of my queen’s guard, sent on my own business. I did not know I needed permission.”
The king shifts in his chair, unsure of whether she should need his permission or not.
“Your Majesty.” General Cassel’s deep voice calls everyone’s attention. “What personal business would a new bride have that required such an absence?” As quickly as a serpent injects venom into its victim, so does the general undermine the queen’s authority.
“Where did you send him?” The king’s tone is carefully neutral, as if he is working to keep his irritation in check.
The queen meets his gaze squarely. “To Brittany.”
A long, charged moment of silence greets the queen’s words.
“You did what?”
General Cassel places his arms behind his back, lifting his chin in victory. The queen does not so much as flinch. “I sent him to Brittany. I had reason to believe that all might not be as it seemed there, and wished to have a firsthand account.”
“That is not personal business, Your Majesty,” General Cassel points out, “but the crown’s.”
Anger pinches the corners of the king’s eyes as he stares at the queen. “We have talked about this,” he says in a low voice.
“No, actually.” Her words ring out loud and clear. “We have not. I have tried, mind you, but you have been too busy to have the conversation. Besides, I would not risk giving you false information, so I needed to send someone to ascertain what was true before bringing it to your attention.”
“And what did you learn?”
“The motives of