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

her cane, he said, “I believe yourcane has suffered some damage. Here, let’s give that to the lordchamberlain to take care of.”

Kambry gave Lessa a flat look. Lessa’s returngaze revealed no curiosity. Kambry rose and stood beside Laurents.“I think we should watch those two,” she said, giving him awink.

“It has been a constant issue for me,fighting off these young rogues,” he said, a tired grin on hisface. “She’s an attractive woman, my Joulette.”

“I have the same problem with Russal. Justtoo enticing for his own good.”

He patted her hand. “You and I will have tojoin forces and watch over our special ones, eh?”

She nodded and eyed Russal chatting amiablyto Lady Laurents, who looked less than her usual commanding self.She doubted she even heard what Russal was saying. “I didn’t seeyou carrying a sword when we came into the garden.”

“I’m a tricky fellow, Your Majesty. Onemoment I’m unarmed, and the next...” Lord Laurents drew the swordout from under his arm, nearly losing the cane, and thrashed theslender blade in the air ahead of them. He tucked it under his armagain. “My Joulette is no cowering carnation either. She smackedour attacker twice in the ear.”

“Goodness.” Kambry lay a dramatic hand on hercheek. “Shovels, canes and magically hidden swords. I need to comebetter prepared to the gardens.”

They passed through the gate into the castlecourtyard and turned to the main doors. Guards stood on both sidesat attention. A page ran forward and opened the doors for LadyLaurents and Russal. Kambry and Lord Laurents followed.

“Oh, just don’t go anywhere without Russal,and you’ll be fine. Between the two of you, you’ll be able to takeon any trouble that comes your way.”

In the wide foyer, Russal organized a pair ofguards to take the Laurents on to their chambers.

Lord Laurents bent over Kambry’s hand, givingher a graceful bow, and wished her goodnight. He folded his handsbehind his back, clicked his heels and nodded at Russal beforetaking his lady’s arm. Lady Laurents remained silent, and Kambrywondered if she had spoken at all to Russal as they had walked.

“Come, Kambry.” Russal drew her under hisarm. “I’d like you safely tucked away in our quarters as well.”

She frowned but allowed him to direct hertoward the right-hand hall that ran along the audience chamber. Shecouldn't believe she had passed this way just hours before on herway to being officially crowned queen.

“Russal, don’t you think it odd that theyattacked my parents and the Laurents tonight?”

“Nearly as odd that neither one was harmed,”he said, a thoughtful tone to his voice. “We seemed to arrive inthe nick of time.”

Kambry chewed on her lip. He was right. Shehad thought that whoever had arranged the attacks had intended themto frighten Russal and Kambry by having people important to themendangered, but when one looked at it from the angle of actualdanger, it was curious. One man with a shovel and another with aslender blade hidden in a cane had fended off two attackers. Sowhat was the purpose of the attacks if not to cause injury?

The guards fanned out around them as theycontinued along the corridor. Both kept silent as they consideredwhat Covey’s intentions had been.

“They accomplished separating us,” Kambryblurted out. “You were quick to run to the Laurents to protectthem. I stopped my pursuit of you when I heard my parents cry out.Was it just to put us in separate parts of the garden, or was therean additional gain? I was pressing aside bushes with athought.”

“They forced us both to manipulate the gardenwith our control of Kavin magic,” Russal said, his voice low.

Could that have been the goal? They stoppedoutside the door to their chambers, the guards taking up stationsalong the splendid foyer before the polished door.

She looked at Russal to find him just asthoughtful, his brows knitted together over his determined gaze.His fingers absentmindedly brushed over the top of her hand.

Keeping her own voice in a whisper shethought wouldn’t carry to the ears of the guards, she said, “Whatwe did shoving the foliage aside in the garden was no moreoutrageous to them than me rising from the ground beneath theforest.”

Russal’s eyes focused on hers, worry liningthem. “Except we did it in the garden, not within the surroundingKavin Wood trees.”

“Where we show our control makes a differencethen. Was that their goal: to flush out the level of our controlwithout Kavin Wood surrounding us?” Kambry asked.

Russal nodded at the sentry waiting by thedoor. “Perhaps. Or maybe to see if another ring can read ouractions.”

The wearer of the queen’s ring being close bysent a chill up Kambry’s spine.

The guard opened the door, revealing twoother guards. They stood on either side of the doorway in thewell-lit front room.

Kambry assumed patience. They would have towait to resume their conversation until they had more privacy.

“There’s still much you haven’t seen of ourchambers,” Russal said as if they were having an ordinaryconversation. “I’ll take you on a tour in the morning when wereturn from lunch with the Condoris.” Several lamps were lit in thespacious public area of their residence. As Russal took one inhand, he tipped his head at the guards, signaling them toleave.

“Wait,” she said, pulling her hand back. “Ipromised to drop by my parents’ chambers to assure them we were allsafe.”

Russal pointed at a guard. “Give the do Konand so Runiya a message from the queen. We are safe in our chambersand will see them tomorrow.”

Kambry stiffened. Did he just decide what shewould tell her parents and whether she would visit them beforeretiring?

The guards glided out the door on nimblefeet. No wonder they could keep close to her without her knowing.The guard Russal had directed headed left in the parting view ofthe door as it clicked shut.

“Russal.”

“Come, let’s have some time alone.”

His gentle gaze and words softened herannoyance. They would discuss things in the morning.

Russal guided her around the corner to theprivate parlor. She had only gotten a glance of the room earlier.Too much had occupied her attention. It was more casual than theother space. One felt she could lounge on the furniture withoutworrying about not looking queenly. She recalled the lounge couchin