A Threat of Shadows by JA Andrews

Author:JA Andrews [Andrews, JA]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-06-30T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

An hour later, Alaric followed a messenger all the way through the palace to the royal apartments where he found the queen reading at an immense wooden desk. The room smelled of blackberry tart and fresh bread.

“Alaric,” she greeted him with an apologetic smile. She motioned him toward a table set with bread, fruit, and two enormous servings of tart. “Come eat, old friend. Let’s start over, shall we?”

Alaric made her a bow, but she waved it away as she sat and began to serve herself. Alaric joined her, realizing how hungry he was.

“I see you have been well, Your Majesty.”

The smile she gave had a hint of steel behind it. “I know you didn’t plan it, but your return to the palace is timely. Some members of the council at tonight’s meeting may find the presence of a Keeper at court to be detrimental to their plans.”

So much for easing into the role of Keeper again. Alaric tore off a piece of bread. “I doubt my presence will make much difference. I am too out of touch with what is going on.”

“Of course it will make a difference. By now, rumors of your presence have spread throughout the palace.” Saren took a slow, savoring bite of tart. “The winds are changing already.”

Her face was different than Alaric remembered. There was less youth and gentleness. Saren hadn’t been ready for the throne when Kendren died. She had been raised the daughter of a noble family, one that spent little time at court. King Kendren had married her because she was kind and good and honest—too much of all these things to naturally take to the political games played around her.

“I’m sorry I left for so long,” Alaric said.

Saren let his worlds hang in the air for a moment.

“Come now, Alaric,” she said, an edge to her voice. “It’s been two years. Where have you been?”

“When I left you to see if the nomads were allying themselves with the southern kingdoms, I had every intention of returning here when I was done. It took almost a year, but I found the rumors to be groundless.

“I didn’t come back because on my way south, I met a woman.”

The queen’s eyebrow shot up. “A woman worth keeping you from returning to your queen?”

Alaric let the obvious answer speak for itself.

“Send for her.”

Alaric flinched at the note of command. It was going to be hard to get used to being ordered about again. He took a deep breath to push down the irritation. “She’s not here.”

There was a long pause. Saren’s eyes narrowed as she waited for him to continue.

“Her name is Evangeline. She was an innkeeper before she traveled with me.” Alaric’s throat tightened. “She’s not here because she’s dying. She was poisoned. She is… asleep while I search for the antidote.”

Alaric looked at the bread in his hands. Across the table, Saren did not move.

“I have slowed the spread of the poison, but it is not stopped. It will take a long time, but it will kill her.

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