The Veil of Trust

by S. Usher Evans

  Instead of arrows and swords, there was Brynna, standing in the center of the forest, her chest heaving up and down as she drank me in. I'd never seen her cry—not like that, anyway. And as if I couldn't have been more elated, I looked up to see my own brother's smile.

  I didn't even care that I was a mess, or that my clothes smelled, or that my face was probably covered in dirt. All that mattered was Luard's firm grip around me, and the way he stifled his tears.

  "I missed you so much," he whispered. "Thank the Mother you're safe." He backed up and took in my face. "How did you get here? And with Felix, no less!"

  "It's been a long few days," I said. My brain caught up with me. "Beata! Is she here?"

  "She is," Luard said. "And she'll be ecstatic to see you."

  He walked me into the camp, which was about as rustic and bare as expected. But inside, I found a sea of happy faces, all Forcadelian, except for the four Niemenians who rushed up to me.

  "Lady Kat!" Asdis cheered, kissing my cheeks before I could stop her. Behind her, Ivan's eyes twinkled with unshed tears, and Hagan and Nils stood arm-in-arm, sporting matching gold bands on their fingers.

  "When did you two get married?" I asked.

  "Oh, so much to catch you up on," Luard said.

  "I missed you," I replied, unable to stop staring at their familiar faces. "I miss Ariadna and everyone back home. I wanted so badly to return, but…" My words failed me at the relief of seeing them. "I can't believe I'm really here."

  "Of course you're here! I am wholly unsurprised you carried your half-dead friend across the country on your own two feet." He gave me a long look. "Mother above, Kitty Kat. I missed you."

  I shared a smile with him. "You seem to have kept yourselves busy."

  "You wouldn't believe what your little vigilante princess has been having us do lately. Climbing gates and bringing them down."

  I stopped, mid-stride. "So it's true, then. You brought the ond into Forcadel."

  "Well, if you want to play semantics," Luard said. "I brought it into Neveri. With Ariadna's blessing. A man named Johann Beswick is responsible for the rest of it. We're devising a trap to lure him to us, then we will take him back to Niemen."

  "Good luck," I said. "Brynna's been trying to get him for months."

  "I know," he said. "But she gave me her word that he's mine."

  I might've asked if he trusted it, but clearly he did. Perhaps Brynna had grown into someone more worthy of the title of queen in the months since we'd parted. As I looked around the camp, I recognized Felix's favorite cadets, those that had been assigned to Neveri.

  My gaze landed on a small group of children in the corner and…my Bea. She was seated cross-legged in the front of them, holding up a book and walking them through the words. There was a quiet joy on her face, one that said she was not only surviving in this camp, but had found her place. We'd often discussed of our dreams of becoming mothers, and seeing her with the children warmed my heart in ways I couldn't have imagined.

  She glanced in my direction then back at the children. Then, she turned slowly to meet my gaze again. The book slipped from her lap as she came to her feet.

  "Is it the queen?" one of the children asked.

  Beside me, Luard pressed his hand to his lips as Beata slowly walked toward me. My heart pounded as more tears came to my eyes.

  "You look…" she began softly.

  "I'm sorry I've been traveling," I said, brushing a hand over my hair.

  "Beautiful," was all she said before falling into my arms.

  My knees buckled as I found her lips, soft, beautiful lips that tasted of home and berries. I pressed my forehead to hers, impressing this moment into my mind, sending prayer after prayer of gratitude to the Mother for allowing me to hold her once again.

  "You're really here," she whispered.

  "I'm here," I said. "And so is Felix. We made it."

  "How?" Her large eyes, wet with tears, bored into mine. "How did you manage it?"

  "I…" My words died in my throat. At the time, using Garwood to make our escape had been fitting, but now it just seemed grotesque. He wouldn't be returned to his husband like I had been to Beata.

  "Forget I asked," she said with a shake of her head. "We'll get you a bath and a meal. Children," she turned to the children behind her, who were wearing looks of amusement, "we'll continue this lesson tomorrow."

  "Oh, I can finish the lesson," Luard said, plucking the book from the ground. "You two go catch up. We'll be just fine here."

  Beata took me through the camp, pointing out the houses that were used for different things as we headed toward what she termed the bath house. Clearly, she was proud of all she'd accomplished, but I couldn't help feeling she was shouldering everything in the camp herself.

  "It's fine," she said with a wave of her hand. "I wasn't sleeping much. Too many worries on my mind to rest." She kissed my hands. "And these soldiers need me. When I arrived, they were wearing the same clothes day in and day out. Grotesque didn't even begin to describe the smell."

  "And I'm sure you told them so." I beamed. "There was a woman in the village I stopped in—Tamra. She said you had them at your beck and call."

  Beata's eyes lit up. "You met Tamra? I hope she gave you and Felix a good meal."

  "Felix was too ill," I said. "And I was too afraid to bring him into the village. If Ilara had sent riders…"

  "She doesn't know where you are, does she?" Beata asked, worry marring her features.

  I brushed it away with my thumb to her cheek. "No, I don't think so. No one followed us. But surely the defenses are strong here, anyway."

  "They're strong as long as our location remains secret." She shivered. "Besides the Forcadelian soldiers, all we have here are children."

  "Thieves," I said. "The ones Celia takes from their parents, correct? I would've thought Brynna would let them go."

  "She offered freedom to everyone," Beata said. "But those who had no home to go to stayed. Most of the camp are orphans, including the littles I was teaching. I fought hard to get them an education. Jorad would've had them marching around camp from sunup until sundown." She made a face. "We had a…little disagreement that got out of hand. Unfortunately, the camp was a witness to my disrespecting the queen."

  "She probably deserved it."

  "She did, but not that way," Beata said with a soft smile. "I did her no favors and let my tongue get the better of me. Jorad let me off easy, though. Only five lashes."

  I nearly tripped over my feet. "You were lashed?"

  "Oh, dear Kat," Beata said, taking my hands. "He could've given me twenty."

  My blood boiled. "You shouldn't have received a single one."

  Beata smiled and stroked my face. "Please don't blame Brynna for ordering it. It clearly troubled her and my disagreements would've been better resolved away from an audience."

  I closed my eyes to her touch, and my anger disappeared. "She has taken good care of you?"

  "She's kept me safe and given me a purpose. I'm learning Nestori potion-making as well," Beata said. "And she comforted me when I allowed myself to miss you." She leaned into me. "Every waking second."

  I held her tight to me, taking in the feel of her, the scent of her hair. The sound of her voice. Every piece of her was so familiar in this unfamiliar place.

  We reached the back of the camp where there was a small hut. Inside was a solitary metal tub already filled with water. I could tell just by looking at it that this would be a cold bath.

  "It's quite rustic here, my love," she said, producing a bar of lye from beneath the tub. "Some days we have to make do with a dip in the river or—"

  "It's fine," I said, pulling her to me. "I would jump in the frozen ocean if it meant I got to be here with you."

  She flushed, allowing me to hold her. "Whatever happened in the castle must've been horrible," she said, running her finger up my arm. "You haven't ever been this… I mean, you kissed me in front of the whole camp."

&n
bsp; "Perhaps I'm no longer afraid to show how I really feel," I said, running my hand along her back. "Why don't you stay?"

  Her eyes widened. "I don't know if that's proper. People will talk—"

  I kissed her to quiet her. "I don't care if it is proper. I've crossed an entire country to see you, and I don't intend to ever let you go."

  Chapter 39

  Someone was stroking my hair.

  Slowly, I lifted my head, which protested from being bent over for so long. Felix's soft brown eyes met my gaze, his chapped lips turned upward in a tired smile.

  "Is this a dream?" he murmured.

  I cleared my throat. "I could punch you in the jaw again, to be sure."

  His smile widened and I couldn't keep my lip from trembling or a sob from hiccuping from my chest.

  "Tears?" he asked, weakly wiping my cheek. "I'm honored."

  "Don't you dare make fun of me, Felix Llobrega," I said, sniffing. "Not with you looking the way you did. Not with…" I bit my lip, the old guilt blossoming in my chest. "I'm sorry I let this happen to you."

  "Don't be," he said. "I was glad to sacrifice myself so Beswick would ally himself with you."

  My mouth fell open, and I didn't have the heart to tell him otherwise.

  But Felix could still read me. "He…is an ally, isn't he?" he asked, ducking his head to catch my eye.

  "A lot's happened since we last spoke in Forcadel," I said, sitting up. "The long and short of it is that things aren't as bad as they were, but they still aren't great." I smiled and ran my finger along his cheek. "But right now, they're infinitely better. You and Kat are safe."

  He closed his eyes to my touch until I reached a tender spot, earning a loud hiss.

  I retracted my hand. "I'm sorry… I'll have Nicolasa bring you something for the pain."

  "Nicolasa…" Felix shook his head, as if some of the fog was clearing from it. "Where am I? And how did I get here?"

  "Celia's camp," I said. "And as for the how…all I know is that Kat showed up with you on a horse. I assume I'll get the full story eventually."

  He blinked, staring at the ceiling. "I remember Garwood. Perhaps even…Aline?" He shook his head. "It's a blur. I'm sorry."

  "After what you did for me, you never have to apologize to me again," I said.

  "Is that a promise?" His gaze sparkled with mischief.

  Despite myself, my cheeks reddened.

  "I never thought I'd see you again," he whispered. "In this life, anyway."

  "You aren't allowed to die," I said. "Who's going to follow me around and annoy me?"

  His eyes opened wider, capturing me with seriousness. "I would've haunted you."

  I snorted then burst into laughter. He joined me, our cackles echoing in the space until they drew Nicolasa's attention.

  "You shouldn't be exciting my patient," she said, brushing by me with a bottle in hand. "Here, more liver. Will help you regain your strength."

  Felix took his medicine, but not without a grimace. I'd had my share of the stuff when I was recovering, so I could relate. But however disgusting it was, it drew more color onto his cheeks

  Once she disappeared, I took his hand in mine, squeezing it. "I have to go."

  "No." He rested my hand over his heart. "Stay with me. I'll sleep better with you nearby."

  I couldn't say no, so I laid my head back down on the bed, watching Felix sleep quietly until my eyes closed again.

  I hadn't meant to sleep the day away, but next to Felix's quiet snores, I didn't shake myself awake again until least mid-afternoon. Nicolasa had apparently even given Felix another few doses of medicine while I slept, which I found to be highly embarrassing. Especially as I'd been drooling.

  "Pssh," she said. "I've seen you in worse situations. Now hurry up and give those soldiers some news. I think they're wearing a hole in the ground outside."

  I laughed and took the peppermint she gave me to perk up before walking outside. There, as she'd said, there was a gathering of soldiers, all of them waiting for news. I didn't have the heart to chastise them for disobeying my orders to get back to work—even Jorad was amongst them.

  "He's resting comfortably," I announced. "I think he'll make a complete recovery, but we need to let him be. Please, return to your positions." I gave them a look. "And now I mean it. Dismissed."

  Heartened by the news, they saluted and left. I stood with my hands on my hips, marveling at how comfortable I'd become with ordering my troops around.

  "Brynna?"

  Katarine had taken the space the soldiers had left. She'd clearly had a bath—her golden hair was wet and hanging by her ears, and she was wearing a clean dress. Her gaze kept darting to the hut behind me, as if she weren't sure whether to step any closer.

  "Kat," I said softly, as if giving her permission.

  "How is he?" she asked.

  "He'll be fine," I said. "Already up and making jokes. All thanks to you, I might add."

  "Thanks to the Mother," she said, looking at her hands. "He was so ill, and the journey was… But we did our best. I just hope…"

  "Kat." I walked toward her. "You're here. It doesn't matter how you did it." I took her hands in mine. "I'm sure Beata was glad to see you, too."

  She smiled, ducking her head. "Enough about that. We have much to discuss."

  We walked, arm-in-arm to the mess hall, where Beata delivered a freshly baked blackberry tart and kiss Katarine on the forehead. It didn't escape my notice that Beata's hair was also wet, and she flushed bright red at the sight of Katarine, but I only allowed myself a sneaky smile.

  "Thank you, my love," Katarine said, kissing Beata's hand. "Are you sure I can't help you?"

  "You'd be more harm than help," she said, but there was nothing but love shining in her eyes. "I've got more than enough in the kitchens now. These soldiers may not know how to salt anything, but they can chop vegetables."

  She pressed one final kiss on Katarine's forehead, then bustled back toward the kitchen area. Katarine's gaze never left Beata until she disappeared behind the flap.

  "You two seem back in sync," I said, amused.

  "And clearly, whatever disagreements you had have been resolved," Katarine said, finally tearing her eyes away from the door.

  "Ah." My face grew warm. "I suppose she told you about that."

  Katarine looked like she wanted to say something about it, but instead forced a thin smile onto her face. "You've certainly grown into your role, haven't you?"

  "Fits and starts," I said. "I've just surrounded myself with smart people."

  "You were surrounded by smart people before," she said. "The trick is to listen to them. That's a skill Ilara hasn't quite mastered yet."

  "Good for me." I inched closer, eager to hear more. "So… What's happening down in Forcadel? Did the Kulkan envoys arrive? What did Ilara do with them?"

  "Yes, they arrived," she said with a heavy shake of her head. "Horrible what Ammon did to you. They were surprisingly unhelpful toward me as well. I suppose old wounds fester."

  "But did Ilara agree to work with him?" I asked, a little breathlessly.

  "No," Katarine said. "She sent the envoys back to Neveri empty-handed."

  I released a loud sigh. "Thank the Mother. Thank the Mother."

  "I don't understand," Katarine said.

  I shared everything that had happened since I'd left Forcadel with a letter to Ariadna. She knew or had guessed some of it, such as my involvement in Skorsa, and was unsurprised to hear that her sister had given me a secondary task of asking Neshua to help. But when we got to the battle of Neveri, my chest tightened.

  "What is it?" Katarine asked.

  "Riya, she…" I looked at the ground. "She died when we took the city."

  "Maarit said as much," she said softly. "Before she was executed."

  The air left my chest. "Ilara executed Maarit? I thought they were close."

  "I did, too. But apparently Ilara has little patience for failure." Katarine leaned onto her elbows.r />
  "She sounds unstable," I said. "No wonder the country is going to shit."

  "I don't think she's unstable at all." She gazed out the open door thoughtfully. "I confess that I lost my insight into her mind these past few weeks. She was making moves that I didn't understand, and I was no longer privy to her reasoning. But I do believe she knows exactly what she's doing. She was the youngest child and, within four years, managed to clear a path to the throne with seemingly little trouble."

  "By killing her own family," I said.

  "She doesn't have any regard to the how, that's for sure," Katarine said. "She's been focused on the eastern cities close to Severia, but why I have no idea. I thought, perhaps, that ordering all ships to deliver food and supplies there was just to spite the Forcadelians, but now I wonder if she isn't plotting something else."

  "I can't see what else she would want to do," I said. "She already has the crown jewel of trade routes."

  "Perhaps," Katarine said. "She isn't infallible, though. She tends to rule by emotion rather than intellect. Perhaps you can use that in some way."

  "What do you mean?"

  "She has this need for everyone to know she has absolute power. To her, that means keeping people who were once her enemies alive, just to prove a point." She looked to me. "She told me she wanted to bring you back alive."

  I blanched. "Are you serious? Why? So she can hang me herself?"

  "I haven't been able to figure that one out," Katarine said. "She certainly spared no expense erasing you from the collective memory. Then again, my understanding of her psyche changed nearly every time we spoke."

  "I don't envy you," I said with a shake of my head. "So what changed? Why did you suddenly decide to leave?"

  "Well, after she executed Maarit, it dawned on me that it would only take one slip to turn her opinion against me. And with odds like that, I couldn't possibly risk Felix's life." She looked at her hands. "And Fishen provided the perfect opportunity. Garwood was dying, so she told me that I could swap their bodies under the ceremonial shroud." She paused, closing her eyes. "I just hope Lord Garwood forgives me."