Aerys had finally deigned to break his fast with his wife. Aelinor hadn't the slightest idea as to why, but she was not at all pleased. The Queen had little time for her husband. Matters of state awaited her. And other matters altogether. She held her silence and ate, unconsciously mirroring him.
Birds thrilled without. A hound was barking ferociously and a woman cursed, presumably at a rat. The morning would have been fairly normal, had her husband not cut into her routine. Aelinor levelled a cool stare at him.
The King suddenly stood, forcing Aelinor to relinquish her hold on her eating utensils. She swallowed in a hurry and bobbed him a curtsy. He approached her, one hand coming to rest on the curve of her waist. "I will come to you tonight."
Those words were punch to her stomach. Fortunately Aelinor did not double over under the pressure. She fought to mask her confusion and fear and adopted a pleased mien. "I shall await you then, Your Majesty." Her heart thundered in her chest and her knees grew weak as the door closed with a loud bang.
