A Burning Ember: Book Two of the In Blood and Fire Series by Kristina Gruell

Author:Kristina Gruell [Gruell, Kristina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MKG Publishing
Published: 2021-04-11T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 65

Dowager Queen Mellina Morthan

Trahelion Manor, Providence of Denon: Caeldenon

25th of Xavar

Mellina and Jane were in the small walled garden that Kenleigh had taken over with the little girls. Sara sat on a bench against the manor, reading. It was just the three of them and two of the Mael’Hivar women, who sat playing a game that involved small, metal objects and a little ball that bounced.

The goal of the game seemed to be to bounce the ball and grab as many of the little metal pieces as possible before the ball hit the ground again. Mellina wasn’t fooled; she knew even though the women seemed absorbed in their fun, they were aware of everything around them.

This was the first time she had taken Jane with her to the gardens without Kenleigh or the other girls. Kenleigh was in attendance on the Dowager, who was entertaining Master Jillian, who had come to discuss her upcoming wedding. Cressa and Nyelle were with Cressa’s grandparents, who, it seemed, were regular guests of the Dowager. As Nyelle had been raised with Cressa for some time, the Marque and Marquessa often took the little orphan on rides with them.

The most shocking thing was that it had been Mellina’s idea to take Jane to the gardens. Kenleigh had smiled when Mellina suggested it, and the Dowager had flashed a rare, approving look.

It was well into autumn now, and they were pruning the rose bushes. The first killing frost had come the week before, and the gardeners had been hard at work since, preparing the many acres of walking paths and flower beds for the coming winter. Kenleigh had told them to leave this small walled garden alone, that they would care for it.

It had been a long time since Mellina had taken a hand in tending plants, but she found the knowledge and skills coming back quickly. She also found the time outdoors cleared her head and boosted her mood.

“Aunt Mellina!” Jane called, sounding distressed. She had gotten her sleeve stuck in a bunch of thorns.

Mellina rushed to her side and began disentangling her gently.

They had decided that ‘Aunt’ would be the best title for Mellina for now. It was better than ‘Queen Mellina’; less rigid and formal.

“Oh, your sleeve is torn,” Mellina said, checking to make sure she hadn’t been cut.

“Do you need assistance?”

Mellina turned to see Master Jillian standing in the entrance to the garden.

Mellina stood and dusted the knees of her gown. “She just tore her sleeve. We can easily mend that.” She gave the Master a cordial smile; she hadn’t spent much time with Master Jillian when she had lived in Endomir, and found it curious that she would seek Mellina out.

“I should look, to be sure,” Jillian said, moving toward Jane.

Something about her expression, the eagerness there, made Mellina uncomfortable. The Master also had a satchel with her, which was odd.

Why would she need a satchel to move about the manor?

“Truly, she is fine,” Mellina said firmly, letting some of her old queenly voice come back.

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