The Queen's Gamble: Game of Gods Book 2 by Nicole Sanchez

Author:Nicole Sanchez [Sanchez, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Galen has the good sense to avoid me for a week before coming to grovel. He finds me in the barn, brushing one of my four horses. It makes sense now, why Essos brought me to Abbott and Costello for a horseback ride during the Calling. We used to ride up and down the beach, finding new spots in the dunes to make love or to stargaze, and I adore the horses.

Abbott and Costello are the more mild-mannered of our horses. Bonnie and Clyde are our other two black Friesians, and they’re more temperamental, living up to their names. Bonnie whinnies as I brush her.

“Daphne,” Galen calls out to me. One of the stable boys is picking Bonnie’s hooves as he approaches. There’s defiance in the boy’s gaze as he looks up, ready to stand between Galen and me, but I won’t let him. He’s not a god, and I won’t have his blood on my hands. I give a simple nod, dismissing him. I close Bonnie in her stall, not interested in getting kicked during this conversation.

I step out to face Galen, crossing my arms. I will not make this easy for him.

“Daphne,” he begins again, clearing his throat. He looks repentant and holds something in his hands, his golden eyes downturned along with the edges of his lips. He’s still trying to emulate Essos by wearing a suit, but he looks rumpled. His shirt is half tucked in, and he’s lacking a tie. Since his father showed up, he’s been putting in an effort to show that he does have what it takes to rule. I’ve heard the screaming matches between them running late into the night.

“Daphne, I’m sorry.” It’s the first time he’s ever actually said those words to me with something that sounds an awful lot like sincerity.

I glance down at the ruby on my finger. I tried to smash it off my hand, but it’s been reinforced by some sort of magic that keeps it from so much as being damaged.

I look past him and behind me, confusing Galen.

“Are you looking for someone?” he asks, taking another step toward me.

“I’m looking for who the fuck you think I am. A week later I get an apology? A week after you hit me? A week…” I pause, unable to finish the thought.

My powers stirred this morning. I’m not sure I would have noticed it, but at some point last night, the rose I gave Essos during the Calling turned up on the pillow beside me. When I reached for it, it bloomed further. All it took was my fingers grazing flowers on my nightstand to make them stand a little taller, their petals a little wider. I wish I could have talked to Essos, but just the reminder that he’s still here was enough to strengthen me.

For the first time in a week, I’m not worried that I won’t get my powers back. I’m not flexing that muscle, not till it feels a little stronger and a lack of response won’t break me, but I’m not as freaked out.

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