Queen of Coin and Whispers

by Helen Corcoran

  ‘I wasn’t setting you up for Lia’s benefit.’ Matthias leaned against the wall. ‘I had you in mind as her Whispers for a while. But I didn’t intend to introduce you like that.’

  ‘You still offered to help me for your longterm goal.’

  ‘She needs a Whispers.’ Matthias smiled. ‘Besides, she enjoyed your first meeting. And, of course, you stopped Naruum.’

  I wanted to say Anyone would have done that, but no one else had. It unnerved me how quickly I’d slipped into the Whispers mindset. And the Queen had manipulated me so easily by having me prove myself. She’d sized me up within minutes and guessed I relished a challenge.

  ‘You should go back. You’ll be missed.’

  ‘I’ll think of something,’ I said. ‘Will you be able to easily… dispose of him?’

  ‘I’ll think of something.’ Now Matthias looked ready to sleep for a century.

  ‘You don’t need to tell me death is ugly,’ I said. ‘I’m already well aware.’

  Papa’s memory stretched between us.

  ‘I know,’ Matthias said softly. ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’

  ‘And if I have to embrace ugliness to prove Vigrante killed Papa, I’ll do it.’

  As I turned to leave, he said, ‘Well done. This will please the Queen, and she was already impressed with you.’

  I paused. ‘How is Lord Naruum?’

  ‘Temporarily indisposed by questions he’s unable to answer.’

  I ignored Zola and Mama’s frowns when I returned. Now the Queen’s exhaustion and brittle expression painted a much different picture: someone worried about assassins when she should have been celebrating.

  I thought of Naruum’s wine, and the questions I’d wanted to ask her later that night. And she’d wanted me to succeed, written a note of encouragement in the hopes she’d get to give it to me.

  Perhaps for all her promises, her authority, she wanted me to tell her my decision.

  Chapter Nine

  Lia

  The morning after my coronation, Miss Bayonn strode into my study.

  I lowered my pen. ‘Good morning.’ Everyone else was still in bed, but the paperwork didn’t care that I’d just been crowned.

  Her appearance was carefully neat: she’d taken her time and hadn’t rushed here. ‘I’ll do it. I’ll be your Whispers.’ Another pause, before a belated, ‘Your Majesty.’

  I hadn’t expected relief, but it cascaded over my tight shoulders all the same. ‘I don’t believe it was your decision.’

  Miss Bayonn raised an eyebrow. ‘No one forces a Whispers into the job. It’s the quickest way to be assassinated.’

  I gestured at the empty chair. ‘Sit. There are conditions.’

  She sat. ‘Of course.’

  ‘We will have weekly meetings,’ I said. ‘I won’t manage you, any more than I would Coin or the others. But as you’re Fifth Step, I’m willing to use all influence to help you.’

  ‘I’m not in a position to make requests, but I’d appreciate prior warning before being dragged into a room of politicians.’

  I smiled. ‘Would you expect a Queen to openly favour her Whispers before Court or Parliament?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘With Naruum’s poison,’ I said, ‘and the assassin last night, I’m now twice in your debt.’

  We fell into an uneasy silence.

  ‘Why are you so calm?’ Miss Bayonn finally asked. ‘They surely didn’t teach you to treat assassination like this.’

  ‘Not quite,’ I said. ‘But I was raised with poison-tasters. There are prices to pay for royal privilege. It’s our responsibility to accept them.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous,’ Miss Bayonn said. ‘At least there were more guards yesterday.’

  ‘Matthias insisted.’

  ‘Good. Prepare yourself for more if I’m your Whispers.’ She held my gaze. ‘Keeping you alive will be my responsibility. I’ll use everything that helps me – including more guards.’

  ‘Very well.’ I wanted to smile, but feared she might think I was belittling her. Her green dress, embroidered in yellow and white, suited her. Something flared in my chest – determination? stubbornness? – at her firm tone. I noted the sensation, then put it aside to examine later.

  Miss Bayonn cleared her throat. ‘I want to go after Vigrante’s inner circle.’

  Neither Lady Brenna nor Lord Hazell liked me, though they’d certainly liked the benefits of Uncle’s money through Vigrante. ‘Do you suspect they’re connected to your father’s murder?’

  ‘Not entirely. But attacking his power base will weaken him.’ She hesitated. ‘And the situation with Lord Naruum?’

  ‘He is currently my guest.’ A guest behind locked doors, with the weight of execution over his head. ‘When he’s not succumbing to hysterics, he’s not saying much, and none of it useful. It wasn’t a particularly good attempt. Even if I refused the wine and offended the Opposition, I would have eventually mended things.’

  ‘An assassination doomed to fail?’

  ‘Possibly.’ I frowned, rubbing my thumbnail over my lower lip. ‘Lord Naruum and Lady Brenna knew each other as children. There may be a link there.’ I glanced up, just as Miss Bayonn’s gaze slid away.

  ‘Emotions make people do foolish things,’ she said.

  ‘Like brandishing daggers?’

  She smiled ruefully. ‘Perhaps. By becoming your Whispers, I can avenge my father. You gain little if I become your spymaster.’

  A sensible observation. ‘Matthias is loyal, and we’re practically family. Now that our friendship is known, he’s too obvious a choice for Whispers.’

  Miss Bayonn nodded.

  ‘You’re the youngest Treasury employee in decades. And Coin wouldn’t have accepted you unless he considered you an asset.’

  She stayed silent.

  ‘Matthias loved your father more than his own. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t feel the loss.’ He’d never tell Miss Bayonn, reluctant to encroach on her grief, but she needed to know so they could work together.

  ‘So I’m good with budgets and need to feel sorry for Matthias more,’ Miss Bayonn said. ‘Hardly the qualities of a spymaster.’

  Apart from Matthias, no one had spoken so frankly to me in years. I’d forgotten what it felt like, a spark against the stifling duty, etiquette, and pomp that had surrounded me since childhood.

  ‘You watch and listen,’ I said. ‘You broke into my wing through the passages. You want to avenge your father and you’re willing to be ruthless. My Whispers must be ruthless.’ Matthias called me too idealistic, but I’d grown up in a part of Edar where it was easy to die from freezing cold and starving predators. I’d always known I’d have to make brutal decisions, and so would my Whispers. ‘Matthias believes in you,’ I continued, ‘and when dangerous situations arose, you didn’t hesitate to help. That gives me faith in you.’

  I couldn’t decipher her expression.

  ‘I want to approach Lady Patrinne,’ she said. ‘Her daughter, Terize, works with me in the Treasury. If I convince you to accept her into your ladies, I think Patrinne will offer her support. She could be a Parliament informant.’

  I leaned back, considering. I’d invited Lady Patrinne to the Opposition gathering because it would have been worse not to. After my aunt’s insult, I hadn’t thought I could easily gain her support.

  ‘Yes, it’s worth it a try.’ I stood and went to fill two small glasses of rosé. In the north, we drank it to celebrate and mourn. In winter, we mulled it. It tasted like home. Our fingers brushed as I passed a glass to her.

  ‘To your new position, Miss Bayonn.’

  ‘To new partnerships, Your Majesty.’

  We drank.

  When she turned to leave, I lingered on her waist and the hinted flare of her hip.

  I drank the last of my wine too quickly. Unlike the spark, this tightness in my chest wouldn’t be examined later.

  Mother eyed my barely touched plate. ‘Queen or not, I can still s
cold you for not eating.’

  I sighed.

  Now that I was crowned, everyone wanted everything done at once. Meetings after meetings; endless paperwork needing my signature and seal, much of it neglected by Uncle. Adding insult to injury, Vigrante rejected my legislative proposals and returned them with ‘suggestions’. Almost a week after my coronation, all I felt was exhausted and worried. I hadn’t once seen Uncle look how I felt; he’d passed control of Edar to others for an easier life.

  His route was sometimes tempting. But Mother would never forgive me. She’d raised me as Father would have wanted. Taking the easy way out was unacceptable.

  Mother’s annoyance turned to concern. ‘My dear, are you sleeping? You don’t look well.’

  ‘I’m fine.’

  The concern changed to parental outrage. ‘How do you expect to rule well if you’re not eating or sleeping properly?’

  ‘I manage.’ I poured the wine. ‘Here. We might as well have it out while drinking.’

  Her face crumpled back into hurt. ‘That’s how you consider spending time with me?’

  ‘No, of course not!’ Mother opened her mouth. I gripped my wine glass. ‘But that’s what it feels like. I’m already dealing with enough people who think they know better than me. Forgive me for thinking you were the one person who’d leave me be!’

  I hadn’t realised my voice had risen until the last words rang out. I put the wine glass down before I accidentally shattered it.

  Mother laid her hand over mine. ‘Eat,’ she said gently. ‘You’ll feel better.’

  The food was delicately flavoured and exactly the same as the Court’s. My aunt and uncle had dined privately and requested different meals. I’d stopped this within days of returning to Arkaala. Jienne still dined separately out of spite, but now she ate the same food as everyone else. I tried to eat with the Court, but some days I couldn’t face it.

  ‘I wish you’d talk to me more,’ Mother said after a while.

  My mouthful turned sour. Matthias would appreciate me complaining to someone else. But Mother couldn’t listen without offering her own opinions, especially when I didn’t want them.

  ‘You have enough to worry about,’ I said.

  ‘You think I don’t worry about nobles trying to poison you?’

  ‘It’s being dealt with,’ I said flatly, before we could get into the same argument again. She wanted me to punish Lord Naruum’s family, which I’d refused: they’d already disowned him. Matthias had filtered rumours into the Court about Naruum’s supposed confessions, rendering the gossip useless. The Steps had turned to fresher news as Matthias continued his interrogation.

  ‘Instead of needlessly worrying you,’ I said, ‘perhaps we could have another arrangement?’

  Mother narrowed her eyes.

  ‘You know things others won’t tell me now.’ Now that I was Queen, people only spoke of banal matters. It was lonely.

  ‘Indeed,’ she said.

  ‘If there’s anything you hear that would benefit me, I’d appreciate being told.’

  Mother laughed and patted my hand. ‘Lia, such formality! You want me to spy for you. I already do, as I spied for your grandfather and your father.’

  My face grew warm. Lord Vigrante and the Court underestimated me. I had to remember not to do it to others.

  We settled to finish the wine. Mother leaned her cheek against her fist and frowned.

  ‘What?’ I’d slipped from Queen to the easier role of daughter.

  ‘Be careful of Lord Vigrante,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, believe me, Vigrante and I understand each other perfectly. Our dislike is so sincere, it doesn’t even need acknowledgement.’

  ‘Have you had much luck gaining allies from the Opposition?’

  ‘I’m getting there.’

  ‘Yes, when Third Step girls aren’t tripping into nobles,’ Mother said.

  ‘Nobles with poisoned bottles of wine! And Miss Bayonn is Fifth Step now, born Third.’

  ‘But really, my dear, having her join your ladies?’

  ‘No one else reacted so quickly,’ I said quietly. ‘Matthias trusts her, and I trust him. I need the nobles to forget the wine and Lord Naruum.’ I had to pretend the poisoning meant nothing, or I would crack in public and never recover.

  ‘Oh. That’s simple,’ Mother said. ‘Pick carefully from the Opposition, and increase their standing in Court. Offer improved marriage prospects for their children. If one of your ladies wears something interesting, make it a fashion statement but credit them – something your uncle and aunt never learned. Do all this, and suggest they steer gossip in new directions.’

  I poured her the last of the wine. ‘Keep talking.’

  Chapter Ten

  Xania

  The windows and glass doors took up a wall facing a courtyard, filling the room with sunlight. Everyone’s jewels glittered and their silks gleamed. The small dining room was for the Sixth and Seventh Steps, admittance controlled by servants. Only the Queen’s mark, stamped with the briar and sword, had got me through the doors, and an abrupt silence had descended upon my entrance.

  Above the Fifth Step, the noble ranks thinned. The families could trace their bloodlines back centuries. Many claimed an ancestor who’d married into royalty at some point. They never sold their estates to pay debts. It was possible to marry up into the Fifth. Marrying into the Sixth was difficult; reaching the Seventh was a generations-long aspiration.

  Edarans boasted about our flexible nobility. Just not that it took generations to reach the highest ranks.

  They all grew up in the same little world, so they knew I didn’t belong.

  I was, however, Mama’s daughter, so I held my head up as I was led to an empty table. Gossip hissed around me. By the time I was seated, everyone likely knew I was the one who had careened into Lord Naruum.

  Lady Brenna and Lord Hazell sat nearby. While they were at a table of Hazell’s friends, Brenna was in control. Her peach dress warmed her bare shoulders. If she wasn’t loyal to Vigrante, it would have been distracting.

  She glanced at me, then returned her attention to her table.

  After nearly an hour, Lady Patrinne finally swept in. Her yellow silk dress must have cost a fortune, though she showed her pride in the cream overdress, neatly embroidered in gold and studded with yellow topaz shards. Her table was at an angle so she could watch everyone else.

  I swigged the last of my tea, arranged my napkin to signal I’d return for my belongings, and stood.

  Recognition sparked on Patrinne’s face as I approached. She sipped lemon-water. ‘Miss Bayonn. Has the Queen’s favour propelled Lord Martain up to the Sixth?’

  ‘Not quite, Lady Patrinne.’ I forced a smile. ‘I’m here at Her Majesty’s behest. May I sit?’

  ‘No. I find my appetite suddenly insufficient. Come, walk with me.’ She stood, linked her arm through mine, and politely dragged me though the glass doors and into the courtyard.

  Lady Patrinne’s blonde hair had silvered at her temples. Her mouth naturally turned downward. We walked through the courtyard to a gravel path running parallel to the walled gardens. ‘I understand your family doesn’t move in certain circles, but you should know the Queen values subtlety above all else.’

  I remembered the Queen smiling before she threw open the doors to fling me at the politicians’ mercy. ‘So I’ve heard.’ Patrinne flicked an irritated glance towards me, and I added, ‘My lady.’

  She sniffed. ‘Why did you choose that dining room to approach me?’

  ‘It’s loud. We wouldn’t be easily overheard.’

  ‘Never underestimate the Court’s ability to eavesdrop,’ she said. ‘No one can hide on this path. If someone approaches, we can easily see or hear them and change topics. So: Her Majesty needs me as an ally.’

  ‘I’m sure she can be convinced to accept Terize into her ladies.’

  ‘If Her Majesty holds me in such regard, why send you with the overture?’

  The
air was cool. A pleasant fragrance still lingered from the morning rain. It should have been peaceful.

  ‘Because the other ladies find Terize ridiculous,’ I said. ‘The Queen needs to hear about her from me.’

  Lady Patrinne pursed her mouth. ‘Unsurprising. Terize has never made particularly good impressions.’

  It would help if Patrinne didn’t always rip Terize to shreds. ‘Others don’t give her the chance to shine,’ I remarked.

  ‘One works with what is at one’s disposal.’

  We lapsed into tense silence. Our heels crunched against the gravel.

  There was no easy way to segue into this. ‘I’m not solely here on the Queen’s business.’

  Patrinne smiled. ‘And we come to the crux of the matter.’

  I put my hand into a pocket, withdrew a white mark stamped with an embellished W, and held it out. ‘I’m also here on the spider’s business.’

  Lady Patrinne stopped, watching me uneasily. ‘What have you entangled yourself in, child?’

  My stomach dropped. I’d been so focused on proving myself to the Queen, and what becoming Whispers would mean for avenging Papa, that I’d forgotten the Master of Whispers was feared and rarely spoken of.

  ‘This is not like attracting the Queen’s notice,’ she said. ‘Those tangled in such schemes don’t escape them.’

  ‘Too late.’ The Queen had agreed it would be easier for me to pretend that I was a spoke in the Whispers’ wheel, caught in his schemes, instead of the actual spymaster. Now I questioned our wisdom.

  ‘And what is the spider’s incentive for my co-operation?’

  ‘Alexandris will fall, eventually,’ I said. ‘He isn’t strong enough to lead the Opposition.’

  Lady Patrinne smiled mirthlessly. ‘Does the spider plan to put me in his place as an obedient puppet?’