The rest of the night could not pass quickly enough. Without a dance with Leoth to look forward to, I hardly saw any reason to remain in the ballroom.
At the same time, I admonished myself for such foolish thoughts. I was not a simple-minded country girl, to become so wrapped up in love that I forgot what I was striving for. Yet after tasting such joy, it was easy to delude myself into thinking the throne was less important than my love for Leoth.
I was grateful when Saniya joined me before long and saved me from seeking out another dance partner. Her cheeks were flushed with happiness and her silver hairpiece was hanging slightly off-center; she kissed me on the cheek as she sat down and said, “You look as happy as I feel. Did you dance with someone special?”
I could feel myself reddening. “Perhaps.” I hoped my false smiles had been convincing enough that she wouldn’t notice anything different in my behavior around Leoth. “And what about you? Has Carrick danced with you again?”
Saniya giggled in a most undignified way; she must have had plenty to drink as well. “He hasn’t left my side all night! Even now, he is asking my father for permission to court me.”
My mouth fell open. “Saniya! That’s wonderful!” Privately I wondered how well the two knew one another, if they had hardly found a moment to speak outside of the two most recent balls, yet it would be a good match, so no one was likely to object.
We embraced, and Saniya’s cheeks reddened further as she tried her best to pretend she was not scanning the crowd for Carrick.
“I saw you dancing with Leoth,” she said, her eyes still darting around the room. Her knees were crossed beneath her skirts, one foot bouncing in time to the music. “I thought you could hardly stand him.”
“I could hardly stand most of the people I danced with tonight.” This time I was sure my expression did not let anything on. “And the Camorae is my favorite dance. I was willing to partner with anyone if it meant I was not abandoned for that one.”
Saniya turned away from the crowd and focused on me, her smile fading. “Everything will be different after the palace vote, won’t it.”
I nodded.
“It’s a shame,” Saniya said. “Once you joined us, and on the rare occasions when Carrick showed up, I really started to enjoy our cozy little gatherings with Leoth’s friends. But soon we will be split into two warring factions, and none of Leoth’s allies will speak to you or your allies.”
“I hope you and Carrick will take my side,” I said. “I couldn’t bear to lose your friendship. You are the only person I trust in this entire Varse-damned palace.”
“You’ve heard what I think about Leoth,” Saniya said, “and most of his friends are the same. Of course I’ll stay with you, regardless of what happens.”
Saniya remained by my side for the next two dances; Carrick did not reappear, and I saw her growing more restless by the minute.
Then, as the most recent dance wound to a close, a bevvy of servants appeared in the dance floor with countless round tables and chairs.
“What is this?” I asked Saniya.
“It’s time for games.” She was smiling. “We can hardly be expected to dance until dawn.”
Each table was given six chairs, and games of Kins or cards appeared on each.
“We should play Kins,” Saniya said. “It’s my favorite.”
The complicated board game of capturing land, forging trade alliances, and building cities in a setting that resembled a simplified version of the Kinship Thrones was a great favorite among Leoth’s friends, though they often chose games that allowed for more than nine players, so I had yet to learn the nuances. “Sure. As long as you promise to ally with me.”
“Of course.” Saniya led the way to the nearest table, and beamed when Carrick appeared as if by magic from the crowd to take the seat to her right.
“May I speak freely with Princess Kalleah here?” he asked softly.
“Certainly.”
A tentative smile touched his lips. “I have spoken to your father at length. He was more than happy to give me his blessing in courtship, but he warned me that his own position in court was not as stable as my family’s, so I run the risk of damaging my reputation if anyone decides to turn against him.”
“Oh.” Saniya looked crestfallen.
Carrick took her hands and kissed her palm in a gesture of surprising intimacy. “I told him I did not care. My reputation is not worth so much that I would choose it over you.”
Saniya’s eyes widened. “So—”
“So I am delighted to court you, my dear, and one day I hope we shall marry.”
Saniya’s eyes sparkled. “I have never been happier. Now, will you play Kins with us?”
“I would love to.”
23
Bribery
T wo days before the palace vote, I ventured down from my tower to find a cluster of whispering courtiers in the Cheltish sitting room.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
Every head turned to me. I could not see my parents, so I stepped forward. “Please tell me why you’ve gathered here.”
Nashella emerged from the crowd and curtseyed. “Your Highness. We found this outside the Cheltish wing this morning.” She handed me a folded parchment.
When I caught sight of the familiar seal, a chill ran down my spine.
With jerky movements, I unfolded the parchment.
To the Reycoran Family,
I regret that this is necessary. Yet you did not heed my warning.
As soon as Princess Kalleah takes the throne, pieces will start moving. War is coming to your shores, war that will cleanse Itrea of its evil taint. If you forsake Princess Kalleah, the Truthbringers will lead you to safety. Heed our wisdom. Her path leads only to death.
Consider this your final warning.
-A friend
The crowd parted as Olleack shouldered his way forward. “Do you know anything about this?” His expression was thunderous.
“No, I—”
“Was it King Baltheor who kept this from us, then?”
“I don’t—”
“This is a matter of national security. King Baltheor deliberately concealed a grave threat against Itrea.” Olleack turned to glare at the rest of our assembled family. “I dearly hope you do not vote for Princess Kalleah. This goes beyond a matter of personal preference. If you support her, you are showing your disdain for Itrea as a whole. You are no better than traitors.”
Footsteps pounded up the stairs, and my parents burst into the sitting room.
“We heard about a threat to Itrea,” my father boomed. “Hand over the missive at once.”
I held it out wordlessly.
As he read, his forehead knitted together in concern.
“This is no more than Truthbringer propaganda.” He thrust the parchment into Mother’s hands. “Did any other families receive similar warnings?”
I had not thought of that.
When no one spoke, my father barked, “Guards! Check the other wings, and if you can confiscate these threats before anyone else sees them, do so at once.”
“You are making a grave mistake,” Olleack said.
“Can you not see this is a calculated move to erode Kalleah’s support? It is nothing more than lies and blasphemy.”
“No, I don’t think so. Not this time.” Olleack turned back to face the rest of the assembled courtiers. “I swear this—if my son wins the throne, we will hand Princess Kalleah over to whoever sent this note, to prove we still want peace. Prince Leoth will do anything in his power to prevent war.”
Dread settled in my stomach. I scanned the room, searching for Leoth, but he was absent.
If I were handed over to the Truthbringers, it would mean my death. I was sure of it. And their campaign against the magic races would continue unopposed.
When would my people see the truth?
“We won’t allow this,” my father said. His face was red with anger.
“Once you step
down from the throne, there will be nothing protecting your family from the citizens you have angered. Your power will be stripped away.”
“Perhaps we can continue this discussion in private,” my father said, barely moving his lips.
“Certainly.” Olleack gave him a sardonic smile.
When they retreated to the lower level, I stalked along the hallway and down the stairs to the historic wing, guards falling in behind me as I passed.
I needed to speak to my supporters. My very life was at risk.
Before I reached the Ruunan wing, I nearly collided with a Reycoran family guard jogging toward me.
“Your Highness!” he panted. “It appears the notes were delivered to all five royal families. We weren’t able to reclaim any of them.”
My legs felt weak. Plagues. Even my closest friends would hardly be able to justify voting for me now. “Thank you. Please report this to the king.”
Panicked now, I nearly broke into a run. When my guards announced me at the Ruunan wing, Ellarie appeared at once. It was as though she had been waiting for me.
“I don’t know what you want from us,” she said coldly. “I hope you will withdraw your claim to the throne now that we know our nation’s safety is on the line.”
“We are in danger either way.” I had hoped to speak with Cal, but he was nowhere in sight.
“Your mind has been poisoned. We will not go to war on your account.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I said.
Then I hastened on to the next wing.
In the whole palace, the only person willing to talk to me was Saniya, who slipped into the hallway and said in a hushed voice, “This is a mess, isn’t it? Do you think the threat is real?”
“I think there will be fighting no matter who takes the throne. But I hope more lives will ultimately be spared under my rule.” I studied her carefully. “Are you still planning to vote for me?”
“Of course! I would never turn on you.”
I walked slowly back to the Cheltish wing, hopelessness settling over me like a shroud.
When I parted ways with my guards at the stairway, the elderly guard touched my shoulder. “Is there anything we can do?”
“No.” I turned to leave. “Wait—can you send a fast horse to the manor belonging to Lady Darya’s family? They are part of the Dellgrain line. Send word that I request her presence at the palace in two days’ time.”
“At once, Your Highness.”
It was one vote, and it would hardly make a difference, but I had to try.
Back in my tower, I paced in frantic circles, desperate for ideas. There was no way I would win the throne now. No one would support me with the threat of war looming over us.
But when Leoth was crowned, the persecution of magic races would begin. Our country would be ripped apart from within as prejudice turned into violence.
I had to stop it.
I paced faster than ever, desperate for even the faintest hope. No ideas came to me, and I began to wonder if Olleack was behind this somehow. He seemed the type to resort to underhanded means.
Still, I had no proof; it did not matter who had sent the threat as long as my people believed it.
I felt as though I was suffocating in my tower, so I threw my window open. As the cold air pricked at my skin and crept beneath my winter layers, a terrible thought came to me.
Not everyone at the palace was honorable. There might be certain people I could bribe to take my side.
As soon as the idea occurred, I pushed it away, disgusted with myself. If I resorted to bribery, I would be no better than Leoth.
Yet the thought would not stop niggling at me.
My people were blinded by hatred and bigotry; they couldn’t see that the Truthbringers would not stop at persecuting the forbidden races. They did not realize most of Baylore’s population was evil in the Truthbringers’ eyes. Their shortsightedness would prove their downfall.
As their future queen, and the only one who knew the extent of the danger brewing in our city, didn’t I have a duty to keep them safe? Shouldn’t I take any measures necessary to secure the throne if it would protect my people?
Pandering to my own moral scruples felt selfish in the face of such persecution.
I had to do whatever it took to win the throne.
I stopped pacing abruptly, frightened by what I had just decided. The winter air had stripped every shred of warmth from my room, so I closed the window slowly. Then I pulled on a cloak and raised the hood to cover my hair.
This time, no guards followed me from the Cheltish wing. I sought out Ricardin and led him into a small room packed with wine bottles, where I closed and bolted the door behind us.
“Your Highness,” he said with a smile I could hardly make out in the gloom. “What is the reason for this secrecy?”
“I need your help. And your discretion.”
“I would never betray your trust, Your Highness. We share the same aspirations, after all.”
This was hardly reassuring, coming from a pirate, but I had no choice. I sighed. “Ricardin—I need you to speak to the women whose confidence you have gained. Tell them the economic success of King’s Port depends on my rule, and because of this, you will grant five hundred varlins to each one who votes for me. Which I will provide, of course. You must promise not to let anyone know I was behind this.”
Even in the dark, I could see Ricardin’s eyebrows fly up. “Your Highness. You surprise me.”
“I am desperate. If I cannot take the throne, Baylore will fall apart. The Truthbringers are already turning non-magical civilians against the magic races, and Larkhaven is threatening to secede. Will you help me? Will you keep my secret?”
“You are handing me a powerful means of blackmail. Luckily for you, I don’t intend to use it—unless you try to back out of our agreement.”
“No, of course not.” I had a terrible feeling I would regret this someday.
“Then I suppose I must get to work.” Ricardin gave me a sly smile. “Until later, Your Highness.” He unbolted the storeroom door and swept a bow before departing.
Alone again, I slumped against the wall.
What had I done?
24
The Palace Vote
I did not sleep the night before the palace vote. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw the faces of my enemies jeering at me, the pale-eyed Truthbringer swinging his executioner’s axe. Again and again I counted my potential supporters, and every time I came up short.
I was going to die. Everything I had done for Itrea, all the suffering I had borne at the hands of my people—it was all for nothing. I hadn’t seen Leoth since the day the announcement was made; did he know what his father had promised? Was Olleack planning to use him as a puppet?
It was a relief when dawn came, illuminating my room in a pale pink glow. An icy wind swept through the gaps beneath the windows; even under several layers of blankets and quilts, with my tapestries radiating heat from the walls, I shivered.
Despite the cold, I could no longer bear to lie in bed, restless and sick to my stomach. Instead I rose, goosebumps darting immediately down my arms, and wrapped a blanket over my shoulders. My lady-in-waiting would soon arrive to dress me for the palace assembly, but in the meantime, I began to brush out my hair, hands shaking. The repetitive strokes helped calm my restless nerves. My eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, which would not help my cause, but it was too late to do anything about that.
When I crossed to my window, I thought I could see three times the usual number of palace guards patrolling the perimeter; from the next window over, I spotted a crowd already gathering in the town square. Whether they intended to welcome their new monarch or storm the palace, I could not say.
A knock at my door sounded, and when I said, “Enter,” I was startled to see the king rather than my lady-in-waiting. I drew my blanket hurriedly closer, embarrassed for him to see me in just my shift.
“I hope I did not wake you,�
� my father said. “I wanted to wish you luck today. Your mother has already been summoned to the great hall, and I am to join her now, so I will not see you again until you are escorted down with Prince Leoth.”
“Thank you,” I said formally. Then, before I could help myself, I blurted, “Will you vote for me? I know you care more for your country than for your daughter, but I need to know if I can count on you.” What I was truly asking was, Do you trust me to save Itrea? Do you care if I die today?
My father sighed. “I wish to retain some influence in court when the next ruler takes the throne, and the best way to do that is to back whoever succeeds me. If you have enough support to win the palace vote, I will stand behind you; if not, it would make no difference to you and all the difference to our country’s future if I cast my vote for Leoth.”
I nodded, because I understood. My father knew what it meant to sacrifice everything for his country. “And Mother?”
“She will vote for you no matter what. You know how she is.”
I smiled weakly—he was right.
“I know I have not done a very good job at making you feel welcome, but I have observed you closely over these past spans, and I believe you would make a wonderful queen.” Father took my chin in one hand and studied my face. Though I was tall, he was half a head taller still. “I am proud to call you my daughter.”
“Thank you.” Though his tone was still formal, I knew his words were heartfelt. His belief in me gave me strength to face whatever fate awaited me.
“Now, it is time for you to prepare for the vote. I will send up your lady-in-waiting with the gown your mother has chosen.” Father kissed me on the forehead and walked stiffly from my room.
The dress Mother had selected was deep blue silk with gold trim and delicate gold embroidery that could only be seen up close. It showcased our family’s colors in a modest style that was still rich enough to suit a queen; the neck was high, though not high enough to cover my collarbones, and the sleeves each finished in a point that covered the back of my hand without flaring. I wore no jewelry, though my lady-in-waiting fixed my hair in a low bundle trapped by a net of delicate gold wire similar to the one Mother wore to official functions.
Forbidden Queen: A Court Intrigue Fantasy (The Forbidden Queen Series Book 1) Page 21
