Reign Queen by L. Gibbs (10 ebook reader txt) 📕

the tiny courtyard. Sherolled her eyes. “If you’ll lead, Cole. Let me know when I canassist with forming a quicker route through the hedgerows. Mr.Konnelby, I’ll make any repairs you need in the morning.”

“Oh, adjust to your heart’s content. I lovemy work.” He hefted his shovel.

She followed Cole, his sword at the ready.Konnelby followed her, Lessa and the third guard aft. She glancedover her shoulder. “How is it you have a shovel? Were you workingthis evening on the maze?”

“I was guiding guests in the garden and foundthis overlooked along a pathway. I planned to put it away later.Then I heard do Runiya’s outcry and raced to her aid. A shovelmakes a fine weapon in experienced hands.” His saucy grin made hersmile. He’d never seemed to her to be an aggressive sort, his focusdirected entirely on the royal gardens, but here he was swinging ashovel to protect her mom.

She needed to find Russal. Kavin, show methe king. The image overlaid her view ahead, and she slowed hersteps. Russal was leading Lord Laurents to a stone bench, LadyLaurents’ face pale as she stumbled behind them. Take me tothem.

She took three steps, certain she was beingdirected by pressure at her back, but she stopped in her tracks.Kavin, I need to see everyone in the maze.

Immediately disoriented, she closed her eyesand took deep breaths. She was floating above the maze, lookingdown. There were fewer people along the paths. Most it appeared hadexited the maze and now wandered in scattered, loitering groups onthe walks and seating areas around the labyrinth. Guards scoutedthe maze, others distributed among the guests, sending them ontheir way back into the castle. None of the visitors were hooded,but she supposed the man who attacked her parents could havedisposed of the cloak.

Kambry searched the nooks and crannies of themaze, watching for Covey or anyone else suspicious. She located herown group and not far, just two lanes over, Russal and theLaurents. Burty and Drew were nearby, directing squads.

“Cole, take the next right, then left andleft again,” she said. “That should get us to Russal quickest.”

In moments, they were entering the crowdedspace, and Kambry was dodging guards to get to Russal’s side. Thosethat saw her enter moved aside quickly, while others turned andstepped away as she drew close.

“Russal, is everyone okay?”

Lord Laurents sat on a bench, Lady Laurentsbeside him, whispering to him. One thin hand patted himrhythmically, Lady Laurents’ back straight. Lord Laurents lay hisfingers on her cheekbone in a caress. Russal backed away and turnedto Kambry.

His eyebrows lowered over his eyes. “Didn’t Iask you to stay in the central courtyard?”

“I believe you ordered me to stay,” she saidand crossed her arms. “See how well that worked.”

“Have you been chasing me down the entiretime and keeping your guards busy keeping up?”

“I had to find my parents, who were alsoattacked. But Konnelby swung his trusty shovel and took care oftheir assailant with my father’s help before we arrived. The mangot away before Cole could catch him.” Oh. Kambry closed hereyes. She should have used her ability to alter the plants to stoptheir assailant. She really needed to make using her powers overKavin an instinctive response.

Russal’s hand grasped hers. “Kambry, are youokay?”

“Why didn’t I think to surround him inhedgerows and slow him down for Cole? We lost our chance to findout who else is helping Covey.”

His hands rubbed her arms, and he drew herclose. “I’m just as much to blame. I know better, and still Ididn’t call on Kavin. Of course, this is the first day in monthsI’ve had a ring to augment my control. What do you say tomorrow youand I have a practice session of our own?”

Kambry tipped her head as she looked up athim.

Russal laughed. “I’m talking about headingdeep into the garden and practicing magic control.” He lookedaround them surreptitiously and leaned close, whispering, “Tonight,we practice something else.”

She swatted him in the arm, and trod pasthim. She wasn’t ready to think about tonight. “Lord and LadyLaurents, are you both okay?”

Lady Laurents straightened up and pulled awayfrom Lord Laurents. “Quite fine.” She grasped her cane midway downits length, and for a moment appeared to be about to set it down onits end and stand. She stopped, peered at it, and set it behind herto lean on the bench out of sight.

Kambry shifted her attention to LordLaurents. “And how are you, Lord Chamberlain?” Had the top of thecane been missing its handle? She sat down on the other side of thelord and carefully looked about the area. There it was. A thinblade with a silver handle lay just along the base of the hedge totheir right.

So Lady Laurents had a sword hidden in hercane. Was it the lord or the lady who struck at their assailant?She wouldn’t put it past Lady Laurents to know how to handle asword.

Lord Laurents gave her a weak smile. “I’m abit winded. Russal didn’t inform me I’d have to protect his gardenand arrange parties within it.”

“An oversight, sir. He hasn’t had a lordchamberlain that long.”

“Perhaps a younger man would have been abetter choice.” He raised his chin as if to negate hisstatement.

Russal shook his head. “One sword between us,and you were the one swinging it.” He leaned down and picked up theblade and handed it to Lord Laurents. “I’m surprised you thought tocome armed.”

“Well, I had my lady with me. I must beprepared to protect the love of my life, you know.”

Surely, Russal knew that was not a propersword. The grip was bent horizontal, as was proper for a cane, andbore no protective cross guard for the hand unless one thought thatlittle decorative curlicue that rose above the flat section for thepalm could double as one.

She kept her face placid as she watched thetwo pretend the sword belonged to the lord.

Russal offered his arm to Lady Laurents.“Let’s get you both to your chambers for the night. I’ve swordsaplenty to protect you both.” He waved a casual hand at his guardsas if any of them could lend him a weapon in an instant should heneed it. Leaning down to take up