The King's Queen

Chapter 36

"I'll see you at dinner, Elizabeth," Luca said as he helped me to my feet. "I have a present for you."

A present for me?

I wondered what that could be. Ezra walked me to my room before heading to the meeting, too. I took a warm bath, and that somewhat helped my tired muscles to relax. Afterwards, I went to Cyrena's room. She was expecting me, and tugged me in excitedly.

"I made some progress," she declared, proudly showing off the painting that was now almost completed. "How do you like it?"

"It's great, Cyrena. I wish I could say I made some progress, too."

"Still no luck?" She frowned, coming over to me.

"Not yet. Rosaline is convinced that I'm a failure of an Angeles, so there's that."

"Rosaline is just difficult to please." She rolled her eyes and returned to her easel. "She's a perfectionist who's dedicated her life to helping the Angeles family, and until a few months ago we thought that your father was the last Angeles. Rosaline has high expectations of the family and, because of that, she has high expectations of you. Don't get so down about it." She came over to squeeze my shoulders with a reassuring smile.

"Thanks, but that's not the reason why I'm down. Worried is more like it," I admitted. "The emperor of Crysauralia and his father are planning something gruesome for the Origins, and we don't know when it will happen. Luca is getting some information from Malekh's spies, but it's going to take some time."

"Isn't it better to wait? It's not like you can do anything else in the meantime."

"Except I can." I flashed her a tight smile and her eyes widened.

Cyrena deserted her artwork and sat beside me, her expression becoming clouded with worry. Her voice lowered into a whisper. "Please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking."

"Well, that depends on what you think I'm thinking," I teased with a laugh.

"Elizabeth, no." She dismissed. "That's far too risky and dangerous. If you go back to Crysauralia now and Luca found out-"

"You don't have to worry about that," I told her. "It's not like I've exactly figured out a way back. But the longer I sit here without knowing when the emperor will strike... without being able to do anything, it makes me feel..." I trailed off, not knowing how to finish.

"Anxious? Helpless?" A light smile graced her face. "You are Luca's child. You want to help your people as much as he does."

"My people," I murmured. "I still haven't gotten used to that thought."

"It's not just a thought. It's reality. Origins are equal. We don't have formal royalty, but each family has a role to play and the Angeles have been the ones oversee everything and keep the order. They settle disputes, divide lands, provide counsel, the list goes on. Angeles are the closest thing we have to royalty. You and Luca are the only one left, which makes you a princess in their eyes."

"What kind of princess sits around doing nothing while her people are in trouble?" I crossed my arms with a frown.

"The kind of princess who needs to stay alive. Luca has a plan. Trust him."

"He can't put his plan into action until he gets all of the information," I refuted. "I know where the emperor and his father will be tonight. I also know the passcode to his office. If I can get in, I'll be able to get the information Luca needs. I can help him. I can help all of them."

Cyrena contemplated that in silence for a few seconds, until a knock came from the other side of the door. She told whoever was to come in and the door opened to reveal Garrett. The moment our eyes connected, his mouth rounded in surprise and he took a step back.