Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

Mate? Although he has said the words back at her awakening, he still obviously had some doubts.

Just how close would she need to get to him to obtain what she wanted?

Not that it mattered, of course. She was willing to do whatever was needed to secure her place as the future queen of Kaslon.

Leaving her escort outside her door, Siraay breezed into her room and began peeling off her sweat-stained training gear, not waiting for the door to close fully as she began stripping herself naked, clearly surprising Trelar, who had apparently just finished making the bed.

‘My lady,’ she began stammering, but Siraay waved her off.

‘I need to bathe quickly and change into something suitable for a day of meetings. Something practical but with a touch of regal to it,’ she mused as Trelar walked promptly up the steps to the sunken bath to start the water flowing.

‘Of course, lady. I’ll pull out some options for you.’ Trelar’s voice was businesslike once more as Siraay climbed the steps up to the bath. Extending one leg, she tested the water, then proceeded to step fully into the still-filling bath as she judged the water warm enough to begin washing. With quick hands, she proceeded to scrub the sweat and grime from her body, only pausing to turn the taps off once the bath was full enough for her to bathe easily in.

Once her body was clean, she turned her attention to her hair. She might not have cared too much about her looks if it weren’t for two things—that it was her appearance that would help her win Chezran’s affection and that presenting the right image here was nothing to be taken lightly.

Her mind flicked promptly to Archon Atalia. The female clearly had designs on Chezran, and if her exchange with the archon in the council room the previous evening was any indication, then Siraay expected that battle to heat up quickly.

She smiled smugly to herself. Competition always made things more interesting …

Finished washing her hair, she raised herself from the water, her lithe form dripping as she stepped from the bath.

Trelar hurried up the steps with a thick towel, and Siraay took it, rapidly drying herself off before she let it fall to the floor. She glanced at the female. ‘Options?’ she prompted briskly.

Trelar spun and speedily crossed the length of the room, reaching into the hidden closet and pulling out three hangers from inside, holding them out, one by one, for Siraay to view.

The first outfit was the colour of warm sand dunes, a muted red that would set off her skin and hair nicely. It had long sleeves and a tight torso, but its flowing skirt was still practical and sat just off the floor.

The second outfit was a dark charcoal grey, and also had long sleeves, a high collar, panelling across the bodice, and a skirt that parted quite high at the front, leaving the two panels to split out and drape to the back. Siraay walked forwards to touch the dress. ‘A little scandalous, isn’t it?’ she commented to the servant, but she was nonetheless intrigued by the garment.

Trelar smiled. ‘It would be, lady, but it is worn with these.’ She held out a pair of slightly darker leggings.

Siraay smiled at her servant. ‘That’s the one.’

***

Dressed and having had a quick meal, Siraay was patiently sitting as Trelar finished fixing her hair into a loose braid when a knock sounded at the door.

Surprised, Siraay waved for Trelar to see who it was as she stood and straightened her outfit. Had Chezran come to check on her? She glanced towards the windows, where early-morning light was still streaming in. Surely not so soon.

Curious, she strode forwards a little, listening intently as Trelar spoke with the guard outside her door. Which reminded her—she still had to speak with Chezran about her escort.

As Trelar turned away from the door, almost closing it, her eyebrows lifted slightly as she said, ‘Archon Renhed to see you, lady.’

Siraay’s own eyebrows rose in response. This was unexpected, and unusual, if Trelar’s reaction was any indication. Knowing the quick mind of the spymaster, Siraay flicked her fingers at Trelar. ‘Please welcome the archon in.’ It wouldn’t do to have Renhed think Siraay was unsure what to make of this visit. Even if she was.

Trelar swiftly pivoted back to the door, opening it widely and stepping back as the slight frame of the spymaster was revealed. Renhed was wearing black again, although this time she wore a long-sleeved shirt and tight pants, not unlike Siraay’s own leggings.

Siraay straightened a bit more, feeling even more secure in her choice of outfit for the day. ‘Archon Renhed,’ she greeted the female, her expression neutral. ‘Please come in.’

Renhed dipped her head in greeting but did not move. ‘Actually, lady, I thought I might escort you down to Lord Chezran this morning.’ Her eyes fixed steadily on Siraay’s face.

Siraay masked her surprise by taking a couple of slow steps forwards, which also gave her a breath to think of a response. If she declined, it might seem rude, and Renhed may question her reluctance when Siraay was due to see Chezran, anyway. There was something off about the invitation, but she couldn’t pin down exactly what it was.

Better to engage with the spymaster directly, then.

‘Certainly. I was just about to head down myself.’ Siraay moved smoothly the rest of the way to the door, her pace even, nodding to Trelar as the servant held the door open for her and the archon.

Once out in the hallway, Siraay expected Renhed to begin walking immediately, but instead, the archon paused and twisted, not towards Siraay but to her guards at the door who had already taken a step away from their posts to fall in as escort.

‘You can remain here,’ the archon told the pair. ‘The lady will be safe with me.’ Her voice was firm and allowed no room for argument.

The guards hesitated for an instant but then