Queen & Conqueror (The Queens Red Guard Book 1) by Isabelle Olmo

Author:Isabelle Olmo [Olmo, Isabelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Fountain Press
Published: 2022-08-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

ALMIRA

Her dreams were plagued by the man she killed, and the scent of his burning flesh wormed its way up her nasal cavity until she woke with a start. She found Hira curled on the bed next to her. She looked much like she did when they were children. Only half of her face was bandaged, and the skin was inflamed. Almira’s movements startled her awake, and she sat up with her knife at hand. It seemed both women’s dreams were cursed.

They stared at one another until Hira dropped her knife and sighed deeply.

“I grew tired and laid with you, I’m sorry,” Hira said.

Almira rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “No, it’s alright. Has the king woken?”

Hira laid her head down on the pillow as she stared up at the beautiful flower mural over Almira’s bed.

“For a bit. The medic came two hours ago. His fever broke and he’s resting well.”

She couldn’t explain the mad need to be with him. What had he offered to beckon her to him? Nothing much, other than a deep, dark confession in a small room while on the verge of death. She didn’t want him to wake and not see her, she wanted to reassure him that she didn’t think less of him. She had thought him a cold-blooded brother killer but the truth unraveled a web of lies.

“I’m going to him.” She paused and studied Hira. “Are you well?”

Hira shrugged. “Today is the first time I’ve missed home. Not because I think of going back but because it was easy.”

Almira knew with conviction what she meant. What she did today was beyond anything she ever thought she would have to do when she sat before her desk in Zuri, planning out her union to the king. It seemed so simple then: marry the king, bring peace. Her plan now seemed juvenile and idealistic. She never thought she would end up losing guards, scarring her cousin, torturing a man and killing him, and pitying her husband.

“Captain told us what you did in the dungeons.” Hira’s voice was soft, as were her eyes.

Almira swore the smell of burning flesh was fused to her nostrils. Perhaps the man would always haunt her, watch her from corners with a mocking smile.

“I did what I had to do,” Almira said tersely.

Hira touched a strand of Almira’s hair. “You didn’t have to do it yourself. You could’ve ordered it done.”

“No.” Almira shook her head. “I had to be the one to do it. It’s part of ruling, you’ll understand one day.”

Hira’s lips curled. “I don’t know how you do it. How you don’t suffocate.”

But Almira did suffocate. Today, she nearly drowned. She desperately grasped Hira’s hand because she needed to remember the girl she was: that young, wide-eyed Almira, who excited at the thought of marrying the High Lord of Suid.

“Don’t let me become cruel,” Almira whispered.

Hira shook her head and pulled her close. “You always protected me and you’re never cruel.”

Almira wished she could believe her sweet words; they were honey in her tea.

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