The Unbound Queen by M.J. Scott

Author:M.J. Scott [Scott, M.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: emscott enterprises

Chapter 13

The charguerre might be faster, but apparently "faster" did not come combined with "more comfortable." The metallic clank of the taureau's hooves hitting the road, the shuddering of the charguerre itself, and the bouncing of gears and springs as it jolted over the road rattled Sophie's bones. The seats were nowhere near as comfortably padded as those in the du Laq's carriage. The ingeniers had tried to compensate by providing leather straps on the walls and roof for the passengers to grip, but they did little to alleviate the rough ride.

The tension that the bain-sel had soaked from Sophie's bones was back in full force. Unless the roads improved, she would be one big ache by the time they arrived back in Lumia. If Aristides’s soldiers commonly traveled any sort of distance in these contraptions and were ready to fight upon arrival, they must be made of sterner stuff than she was.

The creak and clatter of their passage also cut off any opportunities for conversation. If there was any sort of aural ward around the charguerre to spare the passengers from its noise, the lieutenant hadn't bothered to activate it.

With no chance to plan for what might be to come, or even to discuss the possibilities with Cameron, Sophie spent the time fighting rising panic. The discomfort of the journey was some distraction, but by the time the charguerre entered the gates to the palace grounds, she was weak-limbed with fear.

They continued past the palace itself and shuddered to a halt beside some sort of barracks complex farther back in the grounds. A few seconds later, the door sprang open.

Jean-Paul climbed out silently, followed by Imogene who winced slightly as she rose from her seat.

"Sophie? Are you all right?" Cameron asked quietly, squeezing her hand. She wasn't, but she didn't see that made any difference to what might come next, so she swallowed, summoned a weak smile, and nodded, not trusting her voice.

Cameron's eyes narrowed but he didn't press, simply squeezed her hand one more time, fingers stroking hers before he let go and followed the du Laqs out.

Tempting as it might be to stay in the charguerre and let the taureaus carry her off again, that would only be delaying the inevitable. Sophie took a deep breath, steeled her knees, and rose as Cameron turned from where he stood outside the door to offer his hand. Her muscles were stiff, but she managed to descend to the cobbled yard without stumbling, which she counted a small victory.

A waiting servant took them to a carriage that drove them back to the palace. It seemed strange to ride when they could have walked the distance in ten or fifteen minutes, but apparently the emperor was not to be kept waiting.

Louis, Aristides’s seneschal, met them at the palace. His manner gave no hint as to what might be waiting for them. He wouldn't have told them if he knew, she supposed.

The lack of any familiar landmarks as they walked through the palace made her suspect they were not returning to the throne room.

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