Free Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) by Skeleton Key, Konstanz Silverbow Page A

bite down on my bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud, and it appears I’m not the only one.
    Castel grabs my upper arm and pulls on me until I stand. “Now, what we need help with is keeping peace among the people who fear that their king has been murdered and we’re simply covering it up. Spread the word that King Aurelio is ill. He is getting better, but he still cannot speak to anyone. The wedding is still happening—it’s just been pushed back. Please help us end the rumors about what is actually going on. We do not want the people to know the truth.”
    The room is silent as everyone tries to figure out how best to respond, myself included. Where do we go from here? Less than half the council trusts me, and less than that actually like me. I look to Estella, hoping she’ll have something good to say.
    “Let me take Zanta.” She stands, and I want to clap with joy. “I will teach her the ways of being a queen—at least, as much as I know from being so close to Dargiana. We will act like the queen, doing all the things she would have daily. We are going to show the people that Zanta is trustworthy, and that despite not actually being married to Aurelio, she was born to be queen.” Estella wraps her arm around my shoulders, and I’ll never be able to fully express just how much that means to me.
    “I agree,” Castel says. “Does anyone have a justifiable reason as to why this would not be acceptable?” He looks at me before turning to each member, waiting for an objection. No one speaks.
    “Then it is to be done.” Castel smacks his hand down on the table. The sound resonates through the room, and once it has gone silent, everyone stands and disperses.
    I turn to Estella, her arm still around me. “Thank you so much. I don’t think that would have gone very well without your support.” I am counting down every second until Aurelio returns.
    “No need to thank me, child. I believe you will make a wonderful queen—you just need some help. Now firstly, let’s see about getting you some more comfortable and yet regal gowns to wear. You are stiff as a board walking around in that thing.” She grabs a bit of the skirt and moves it about before dropping it.
    “Thank you. I would most appreciate that. It’s so tight, I feel like I can’t breathe.”
    “That’s because none of these dresses have been customized for you. They belonged to Aurelio’s mother.” Estella waves her hand as if whoever thought to have me wear them was an idiot. I couldn’t agree more.
    And knowing who they belonged to saddens me. How many people recognized this dress today? How many people questioned my loyalty as they saw me prance around in their former queen’s gown?
    “Do not fret, dear. Only the worst of people would assume the worst of you. Besides, Queen Dargiana hardly had the chance to wear these gowns. They were made only right before she passed on. And even if she had and people saw, they would know that their former queen would only want the best for you. She did, after all, die to save you.” Estella pats my hand.
    “Thank you,” I whisper, not wanting to think about it.
    “Let us go to the dressmaker first. We will get you properly fitted for clothing of your own. After that, we will discuss how to address the people in times of need. I fear keeping the lies straight will get far too complicated the longer they must go on. We need to be ready for that.” She leads the way out of the council room, back through the castle, and out into the sunshine. We walk to the market in silence.

 
     
     
     
     
    THE SUN HAS begun to set, and Khende hasn’t returned. I fear he isn’t going to, despite how much I need his help right now. It sounded as if he had good reason to leave—I just wish I knew what that was. Father was always kind and just. What could he have done to hurt Khende so badly?
    “Khende!” I call out. “If you’re still nearby and can hear me, please come out. Whatever my father did, I