Book 15: Said Too Much

Marianna

I rise as Queen Maeve comes into view, holding the hand of the striking young man I’d noticed in the ballroom. It was hard not to notice him, honestly, with his multi-colored eyes and casual disposition, and it strikes me quite suddenly that this is her mate, the man the news can’t stop talking about. Fretting about, more like it.

Blake rises, and I follow, my heart standing still as the Queen of Eastonia, dressed in a soft silver gown of lace that flows around her like water, turns the corner of the staircase and spots us with a start.

Blake narrows his eyes at her. The queen looks surprised to see him and then tilts her head in my direction for a moment before her head whips back to Blake with an expression I can only describe as… smug.

“Well, well, well,” she grins. “Sneaking away from the party, Blake?”

“Speak for yourself,” Blake says without a hint of emotion, even though I sure he meant to tease.

Queen Maeve turns