Queen of Unicorns by Jennifer Ellision & J.A. Armitage

Author:Jennifer Ellision & J.A. Armitage [Armitage, J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Enchanted Quill Press
Published: 2020-04-22T05:00:00+00:00

26th April

I cracked open the door of my suite and peered out into the dark hall, where the light of the torches glimmered off of the guard’s weapons. Mother’s men had followed her orders. Two of them had remained stationed outside of my rooms, with at least one of them remaining there at all times. But one was easy. One, I could deal with. So I waited, with my ear pressed against the door until I heard one of the guards leave for his bathroom break. Then, I made my move. The door was unlocked, which was something. The lone guard started when he saw me squinting out at him, and I smiled sweetly.

“Remind me of your name," I requested.

The guard’s gaze flickered over the homely terrycloth bathrobe knotted at my waist and he straightened with my attention. "Williamson, ma'am.” His eyes widened, horrified with his slip in etiquette. “That is—I’m sorry, I meant to say, Your Highness." With haste, he bowed awkwardly.

I waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, there's no need for all of that pomp and circumstance,” I assured him. “After all, by the sounds of things, from what my mother says, you and I are going to be spending a loooot of time around each other." I tried not to let bitterness change my tone. You catch more flies with honey and all of that. And my quarrel wasn’t with this man, who was just doing his job.

His job that I needed him to neglect for just… one minute.

Williamson straightened. "Is there something I can do for you, Your High— ma'am?"

“Eliana,” I corrected with an easy smile.

He coughed into his hand, looking discomfited. “Eliana,” he said gruffly.

I fluttered my hand around my midsection and grimaced. "I hate to be a bother, but would you mind terribly running down to the kitchen and fetching me a glass of ginger ale? I've had the most terrible upset stomach tonight.”

This, I knew he would believe. I’d made my excuses of feeling sick with my parents and left dinner early, declining my mother's offer to come with me and ignoring the way they had both frowned after me.

I looked back at Williamson and tried to project the image of illness. He leaned close, keeping his voice low should anyone else hear. “I'm not supposed to leave you alone.”

“Oh, you won't be,” I assured him hastily. “I’m never really alone, am I?” I winked. “The palace is well protected. I think I’ll be fine in here in my rooms within it, don’t you?” What with my mother doubling the guards, I finished silently. Possibly even tripling them by now.

Williamson relented, sending an almost rueful smile my way, his shoulders slumping. “I s'pose you're right. My partner Benton will be back any minute now anyway, and it's not as though you're going anywhere.”

Who, innocent little me, who was being held against her will by the people who loved her? Never. I widened my eyes to project an image of unimpeachable virtue.

And the thing was, people see what they want to see.

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