Gild (The Plated Prisoner #1) - Raven Kennedy Page 0,19

ever as the other advisors bow in her presence. She looks like a beautiful peacock with her emerald gown and sapphire jewelry dripping off her ears and neck. A display of power and poise, meant to draw the eye and intimidate.

She flicks her eyes to Polly, eyeing the woman’s revealing dress before moving her gaze back to her husband. “Really? During strategizing, Tyndall? How uncouth,” she says in high and mighty reproach.

Poor Polly’s freckled cheeks go red with embarrassment as she dips her head further, letting her blonde hair hide her face. Midas is always careful to keep his wife separated from his saddles. It’s clear that today, she’s ruined those careful lines he’s drawn.

The group of advisors look between the married couple, no one daring to say a word. Even Fulke keeps his mouth closed.

King Midas’s lips curl up in a fake display of casual amusement, but a flash of irritation crosses his eyes that I don’t miss. There’s no love lost between these two.

They’ve been married for nearly ten years. He resents her because she’s never been able to give him an heir, and she resents him because the crown should’ve passed onto her by birth. But because Malina wasn’t born with power, she wasn’t able to rule on her own—according to the law of Orea. She was forced to take a husband with power or would’ve had to step aside entirely, letting someone else sit on the throne.

At least by marrying Midas, she’s still queen, even if her husband is the true ruler.

Highbell Kingdom is split when it comes to these two. Some remain loyal to her. After all, Highbell was ruled by her family for generations. Her father passed away just after Midas married her, so in a lot of ways, Midas is still considered the outsider.

The people sympathize with her. They still remember the pretty princess who had the rug pulled out from under her. They pitied her when no power manifested. Now, they also pity her for having a barren womb.

The others in Highbell, particularly the nobles, are loyal to Midas. They’d kiss his feet if they could, since he’s brought them so much wealth. After all, Highbell was nearly broke before Midas came. He swooped in to save the desolate Sixth Kingdom with a marriage proposal. He enamored them all, boasting his power of endless riches. Of course, with an offer like that, Malina’s father agreed to the arrangement. But I wonder if Malina regrets it.

I watch as the two of them have something like a silent standoff. The tension between them is heavy, but there’s always tension. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the two of them do more than tolerate each other.

I hold myself still, my ribbons crinkling against my back. Side by side, the two of them always look like a beautiful couple. I hate that. Where Midas has natural charisma, Malina is poised. Perfect. Her skin is so pale that I can see lines of blue from her veins at her hands and neck and temples, but she makes her severe paleness look elegant. She even manages to pull off her sleek white hair. I’m told she was born with it. White hair is a Colier family trait.

My eyes flick back and forth between them, my stomach turning in knots the way it always does when she’s around. Since Midas brought me to Highbell, she’s been very vocal of her hatred for me. In the beginning, I didn’t blame her for it.

Finally, Midas tips his head, like he’s deigning to give her this win.

“You heard the queen,” he says to Polly, flicking a hand at the saddle. “Your presence is uncouth. You are dismissed.”

Polly doesn’t have to be told twice. She turns and hurries out of the room as fast as her bare feet can take her, not even stopping to leave the wine pitcher behind.

Now that Malina has gotten rid of Polly, her gaze moves to me. The glare she bestows on me is cold enough to rival our winters. And that’s saying something, because we once had a blizzard that lasted twenty-seven days.

“You shouldn’t leave your shiny toy out during the war meetings, husband,” Queen Malina says with a scathing look.

I purse my lips, forcing myself to stay quiet.

She turns back to her husband, ignoring the rest of the men in the room. “May I speak with you?”

His gaze glints with irritation, but it’s clear she isn’t going to leave without talking to him. “Excuse me,” Midas