Zoe Thanatos(85)

“Considering the former King’s predilection for disloyalty and in light of the events that have just transpired, it occurs to me that I now have the opportunity to correct a mistake I made a very long time ago.” She held her hands in front of her chest and pressed her fingertips together forming a pyramid. She looked down at them deep in thought, considering her next words carefully.

“Selecting Owyn was a calculated move on my part, and one that has obviously had some unsavory consequences for all involved. Simply put, I should have allowed Kyra, or trusted her rather, to make the selection herself based on her feelings, rather than my agenda. She is free to do that now.”

“Your Highness, the Queen and I are no longer…” he tried searching for the right words. Having an affair? No, that would not work. In the absence of any seemingly appropriate word, he instead decided on a change in tone. “I have no doubt that the Queen, as beautiful and bright as she is, will have any difficulty selecting a man who will not only be faithful and loyal to the Crown, but to her first and above all else.”

The Queen Mother smiled. “My sentiments exactly. I believe she has already come to a decision on the matter.”

It was just as he suspected. “Me?” Like there was even a question about it. He couldn’t help but hope she was speaking too soon and possibly without the consent of Kyra. She knew his feelings and even seemed to respect them. However, he was invited to sit on the throne at her side, to sit in the King’s seat and preside over the trial, or whatever it was. Was she including him so intimately because she indeed viewed him as a loyal friend of the Crown, or was there more to it?

A great sound from the other side of the throne brought his attention back into the present. A rumble of men talking all at once broke out as Evan and the Queen Mother returned to the crowd.

“Where did she come from?” the Queen demanded, her voice a mix of shock and alarm. Evan looked in the direction of the commotion, his heart skipping a beat when he recognized the face of the person being held by no less than three Crown Soldiers.

“Eva?” he called out for her. She looked every bit as frightened as he felt in the moment, the proximity of the armed soldiers flanking her unsettling.

“Who is this girl? How did she get in here?” asked the Queen Mother.

“She’s my sister,” Evan exclaimed. He made his way to Eva and, ignoring the immediate protests of the surrounding soldiers, placed his hands on either side of her face to get a good look at her. She didn’t look hurt, just surprised and momentarily frightened. Her eyes were wide and bright as her limbs struggled against the grips of her captors. “Please, you can let her go. This isn’t necessary.”

“Just a minute,” the Queen Mother interjected. She stood at Evan’s left while the Queen moved to his right. “You are Evadine?”

“Yes,” Eva answered. “I’m sorry I had no idea what was going on or...” she stopped to look at her surroundings and noticed both Thea and Owyn bound beside her, held as prisoners. “Clearly I’ve trespassed.”

“Yes, and how exactly?” The Queen asked. “How did you get in here?”

Eva’s eyes locked on Evan’s and he could tell she hardly knew the real answer enough to give an explanation. If she was there then where was Zoe? What had happened in the Forgotten Gardens? He had so many questions he wanted to ask but knew there was no possible way she could answer without creating a world of trouble. From the corner of his eye he could see Thea looking at her, searching for any answers to the same questions he had.

“She just appeared out of nowhere, Your Highness,” spoke one of the soldiers. Everyone’s eyes moved to him and his face flamed.

“What do you mean out of nowhere?” the Queen asked.

The soldier looked around for others to support his claim. Five others came to his rescue, confirming that Eva had literally appeared before their very eyes.

“Well, tell us, Eva. How did you get here and where did you come from?” asked the Queen.

Eva looked to Evan for support, her eyes still wide and filled with fear. How could she possibly explain herself to the satisfaction of the Queen and Queen Mother? Her silence was stretching out too long and Evan could sense both Kyra and her mother were becoming impatient.

“Speak, Eva!” The Queen looked at Eva expectantly.

“She’s coming, isn’t she?” Thea cried. Everyone’s attention changed to Thea, who was smiling through a look of tremendous relief. “She’s coming!” Warning bells went off in Evan’s head and he wished more than anything that he could silence her before she said anything further. She had already revealed too much.