Damon walked up next to me, leaning to kiss his mother on the cheek.
“I had no idea you were flying in for the ball.”
“Sutcliffe called and told me what you had planned. I needed to meet the girl who has upended the country.”
I knew I was supposed to remain polite and emotionless, but my mouth opened.
“Mother,” Damon warned with a sharp tone.
“I’m trying to remember the last time the king had a royal consort.”
My mouth went dry as she continued her cold digs at my title.
“I was a child, but I remember whose mistress she was.”
Oh my God. If the queen assumed the worst, she couldn’t be the only one. I was mortified.
“If the Dowager Queen has something she would like to say, maybe we should go to the royal study.” Damon gritted his teeth. “I’m not interested in your public manipulations tonight.”
She pinched her red lips together. She was a beautiful woman. Like her children, she had jet black hair and eyes like coal. There was barely a hint of fine lines. It was hard to gauge her age, but her oldest child was 32, so that put her somewhere in her fifties.
“But isn’t the ball for the public?” she questioned.
I didn’t know if I should run or slowly back into the crowd dancing behind us. I could disappear and find one of those tunnels.
I looked over my shoulder and my heart sang. Brooklyn was here.
Before I could hear another icy exchange, I bowed. “It was wonderful to meet you, your majesty.” I looked at Damon. “Brooklyn is here.”
“Go,” he advised. “I’ll find you in a moment.”
I made myself walk slowly instead of take off in a full run.
Brooklyn laughed when I reached her. “This is unreal.”
I pulled her into a hug. “You have no idea.”
“You look amazing, by the way.”
“I can’t take any credit. I have a royal stylist.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
A server walked up to us with a tray of champagne. “It would be an honor to serve the Royal Consort.”
Brooklyn giggled. “This is crazy.”
We each took a glass.
“Thank you.”
He walked away and we skirted through the crowd to find a corner where we could talk.
“I’m so glad you’re here. The queen didn’t exactly warm up to me.”
Brooklyn wrinkled her nose. “Most mothers love you, but they also aren’t forced to.”
“What do you mean?” I was glad to have the champagne. The bubbles danced in the glass.