The corners of my lips turned up as I saw that Ezra, despite the humidity, wore a neatly tailored waistcoat minus any frills. My smile spread when I spotted the familiar tilt of her stubborn jaw as she responded to whatever the man was saying. I was sure it was keen, clever, and deliciously cutting.
“I believe she is hosting a town hall,” Nyktos commented.
Heart slowing, I nodded. That was exactly what Ezra was doing, and just as I’d imagined, she did not hold one from a throne or a balcony, far away from the people. She sat with them.
And she’d also opened the gates of Wayfair to them.
Nyktos’s head turned sharply. A guard slowly approached us, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
He stopped several feet from us, his throat bobbing. “The Queen is currently seeing the last of those who wish to speak with her today,” he said, and it pleased me to hear her referred to as Queen. “You may make an appointment to do so tomorrow by visiting the record keeper at the gatehouse.”
It also pleased me that what Ezra was doing appeared to be more than just holding a weekly or biweekly town hall.
“We cannot return tomorrow,” Nyktos spoke, and I swore the air chilled a bit. “We need to speak with the Queen today, and as soon as possible.”
The guard visibly paled as he stared into the shadowy recesses of Nyktos’s hood.
I cut the Primal a look and then stepped forward. “We do need to speak with her today,” I said, gentling my tone. “And I believe she will make time for us if you tell her that Sera is here to speak with her.”
The guard didn’t budge as his wide-eyed gaze bounced between Nyktos and me. I could sense that he was about to hold his ground.
“Go,” Nyktos urged, moving a foot closer in that quiet, unnatural way of his. He tilted his head back, letting the hood slip a few inches. “And speak with your Queen.Now.”
Whatever the guard heard or saw got him moving. He pivoted, hurrying off.
I turned to Nyktos. “Did you use compulsion?”
“No.” He laughed softly. “I think I just scared him.”
“Rude,” I murmured as I walked the secondary wall ofpillars encircling the main floor and entered the private alcove furnished with settees and chairs.
He laughed again. “Perhaps.”
I snorted, scanning those in the Hall, telling myself that I wasn’t looking for one person in particular, but I didn’t see her, nonetheless. We neared the dais just in time to see the guard work up his nerve to interrupt his Queen. I saw the moment he spoke my name.
Ezra went rigid for a heartbeat and then shot to her feet, pressing a hand to her slender waist. The noble across from her hastily followed as she searched the floor. I waited, knowing Ezra would remember that I’d favored the alcove the few times I was in the Great Hall.
She took a step forward before turning sharply. When she spotted us, she stilled once more, likely in disbelief. But Ezra was not one prone to panic. She was logical and calm in all things, and she was then, as well.
Turning to the man, she excused herself. The noble wasn’t thrilled, but she turned her back on him anyway. She spoke to her guards, who scattered, quickly clearing the Great Hall, taking the noble with them.
Nyktos was quiet as Ezra approached us. The doors to the Hall closed, and only two guards remained, stationed in front of them.
Ezra halted at the top of the short set of steps. “Seraphena?” Her voice was barely a whisper as she glanced beside me. I saw her visibly swallow.
I stepped forward and lowered the hood of my cloak. “Ezra.”
She jerked, her eyes widening.
“Or should I say, Queen Ezmeria?” I added, bowing.
“Don’t you dare do that.” Ezra snapped forward, reaching for me but stopping short. “I’m Ezra. Just Ezra to you.”
A twinge of disappointment rose at the knowledge that she was still uncomfortable touching me, but as I straightened and saw that Nyktos had moved in closer, I realized her reaction might have had more to do with that.
“My gods, I thought the guard had misheard,” she said, glancing at Nyktos with wide brown eyes. “I didn’t think I’d ever…”
“See me again,” I finished, and she nodded. “Because I was supposed to kill this one?” I added, jerking my thumb at Nyktos.