The Veil of Trust

by S. Usher Evans

  "I'm saying that if he showed up at his father's doorstep with it in hand, his father may take him a bit more seriously," Luard said. "I think he's ambitious, but I don't think he's a monster."

  "So where does that put me?" I asked. "Do you think if I agreed to help him get on the throne, he'd stick to our original agreement?"

  "I think it would be a mistake to get involved in Kulkan internal politics," Felix said.

  "Exactly," Katarine said with a nod. "You have enough on your plate as it is. But I think knowing where he's coming from will inform how you deal with him."

  "He's trying to prove to his father that he's ready to take over," Luard said. "Ergo, it would be highly embarrassing if he suffered a defeat in Neveri. So if you want him to work with you, I'd threaten to embarrass him in front of his people and father."

  "And what might that look like?" I asked.

  "If you were to take the city back from him," Luard said. "You did it before with fewer resources. I bet you could do it again."

  I shook my head. "I told you, I'm not waging war in Neveri again."

  "Yes, but he doesn't need to know that," Luard said. "Whatever Ammon's been doing, it's without the approval of his father. One hint that you'll blow the entire operation, and I'll bet he returns to your side."

  "So you think I call Ammon's bluff, then?" I said. "Show up and threaten to retake the city, without having any real intent to, just so he'll remember who he's dealing with?"

  "Then leave twenty soldiers behind to make him adhere to the agreement," Felix said. "You can spare those bodies. A small show of force would remind him you mean business."

  I rubbed my chin, thinking through the plan. "I could take some vigilantes with me, too. It would give them some experience using the weapons we've been training with. But are we sure Ammon won't call my bluff?"

  "When you were The Veil, you used to threaten to dismember lots of people," Felix said. "Whatever you do to threaten him, make it so terrifying that he'd never question your follow-through."

  I glanced around the table, still unsure. "Is everyone in agreement with this?"

  "Aye," Felix said, holding up his hand.

  "Aye," Katarine and Luard said in unison.

  "Yes, Your Majesty," Jorad said, jumping to his feet.

  "You're on the Council, you can just say 'aye,'" Felix whispered to him.

  "Aye!" he cheered with gusto. Felix shook his head, muttering to himself.

  I looked at Jax, who hadn't said much, and who wore a disgruntled look on his face.

  "Jax?" I asked. "I need the unanimous consent of my Council. If you have misgivings, you need to tell me about them."

  "I'm on board with the plan, but I ain't on board with being on this stupid group," he said with a shrug. "You do whatever you want."

  Jorad turned to me, as if to argue, but I shook my head. "That's why he's here. He gives it to me straight. He'd let me know if it was a bad plan."

  "Always nice to have an asshole in the group," Luard said.

  "Very well, Your Majesty, what's your command to the soldiers?" Jorad asked then gave Felix a nervous look. "I mean, Captain Llobrega can—"

  "I'm still recovering," Felix said, holding up his hands in surrender. "This is your command, Lieutenant."

  Jorad's chest puffed out even more.

  "I want you to prepare twenty soldiers to come with me," I said. "And ask Locke to give me his best vigilantes. I'm hoping we won't need any of them but better to be safe. We leave in the morning."

  "Yes, Your Majesty," Jorad said, saluting me before leaving.

  "Is it just me, or is he a lot more eager since you showed up?" Luard asked Felix.

  "Can't help it. Llobregas like to show off in front of each other," Felix said, as he stood gingerly. I rose to help him, but Katarine's soft touch landed on my arm.

  "Would you take a walk with me?" she asked, her face the color of a tomato. "I need to discuss something important with you."

  Felix snorted and muttered something I couldn't hear, and Katarine's face turned, if possible, more red. Even Luard was staring at her with a look of confusion.

  "Now?" she squeaked.

  "Absolutely," I said. The words were barely out of my mouth before she dragged me from the room.

  Once out of the camp, I led Katarine toward a more dense part of the forest where there were no scouts. I wasn't sure what she was hoping to accomplish, but I didn't want to violate her trust by having a teenager listen in on whatever it was.

  "I think that went well," I began. "It's nice to have so many people give their perspectives."

  "They won't always go that smoothly," she said, a little agitation in her voice. "But yes, it seems like you've assembled a fine Council."

  I stopped. "Is everything all right?"

  "Yes, but…" She made a sound of frustration. "This was much easier in my head."

  "What?" I took her hands. "You can tell me. Whatever it is, I promise I'll support you. After what you did, staying behind then getting Felix out—whatever you want is yours."

  "The truth is…" she began softly. "I've spent the past few weeks regretting that I hadn't done more to show my love to Beata. And I don't want another day to go by without her knowing exactly what she means to me. Luard is here, you're here. This place is beautiful. And when we lay our heads down to sleep at night, we may not wake up. No time like the present."

  "To…?"

  "Marry her," Katarine said with a smile.

  I blinked several times. Of all the things I'd thought she'd wanted to talk to me about, this wasn't one of them. "Uh…I mean…"

  "Unless you think it's crass," Katarine said quickly, wringing her hands and walking away from me. "We're in the middle of a war, and Ilara's out there, and—"

  "No, it's not that," I said. "It's just that… It's not my decision, is it? Maybe you should be having this conversation with Beata instead."

  "Well, if we're adhering to the treaty," she said with a coy smile, "the Forcadel sovereign retains control over my nuptials, especially since my husband died." She took my hands in hers. "So, Your Majesty, do I have permission to marry the woman I love?"

  I kissed her hands. "Permission and blessing. As long as I get to stand there with you."

  "I'd have it no other way," she said. "Now I just need to drum up the courage to ask her."

  "You just broke Felix out of the Forcadelian dungeons, and you're afraid to ask your girlfriend to marry you?" I asked, incredulously.

  "One day, Brynna-Larissa, you'll be in this position," she said with a knowing look, "then we will talk about how easy it is."

  Chapter 42

  Katarine

  If I were being honest, asking Brynna for her permission was merely a stalling tactic. I'd been thinking about this monumental question for days now, my palms growing sweaty every time I was in the same room as Beata. I had no idea how she'd react, or if she even wanted to start a life together. My heart, of course, was sure of her. My head was still steeped in doubt.

  So I avoided the question as long as possible. Instead of finding Beata after Brynna's new council meeting, I caught up with Luard, who was playing cards with his guards. It was so positively normal to see him lounging near a bonfire as his voice carried through the camp. Two young female guards were nearby, although Asdis was keeping a close eye on them.

  "Ah, Kitty Kat!" Luard called to me, throwing down his cards and jumping to his feet. "I delivered your captain to the Nestori with no issues."

  "Much appreciated," I said, sitting down next to Hagan and Nils. "It's so wonderful to see all of you here. It seems you've managed to keep Luard out of trouble."

  "Not since he started hanging out with Princess Brynna," Ivan grumbled. "My hair's going gray every day we're around her."

  "It's distinguished," Luard said, swiping at the guard's hairline. "Women love a gray-haired man."

  "Do they, though?" Asdis said with a giggle.

  "Tell me everything that's happened back
home," I asked. "Has Ariadna had her child yet? Has Erlina married?"

  "I haven't received word about Ariadna," Luard said. "But it should be soon. I wish I could be there, but duty calls." He swiped the cards from the table, shuffling then dealing them to us. "Now, you may be skilled in strategic thinking, but it's been a while since you've gone toe-to-toe with a Niemenian at the game of skreet. I bet you're rusty."

  I deftly picked my hand from the table and sat back. "We will have to see, dear brother."

  I stayed and played a couple of games, allowing Luard to win some and taking Asdis for all her gold. But the pressing need to ask Beata the most important question of my life weighed heavily in the back of my mind and in my chest, making me antsy as I waited for the next hand to be played.

  "Ah, Felix! Jorad!" Luard called over my shoulder. "Come join us for a round. My guards are nearly out of gold, and you look like a couple of rich fellows."

  "I think we'll pass," Felix said. "Never get into a game of wits with the Niemenian royal family, Jorad. You'll lose everything you have."

  "Noted." Jorad nodded firmly.

  "Would you like to join us, Kat?" Felix asked. "Jorad's troops are ready for a drill and he'd like me to watch. It might be less expensive than playing with your brother."

  "Yes, please join them, Kat," Asdis said, reaching across the table to take the pile of coins from me. "I'll play your hand."

  The young soldiers were barely up to my chest, and many of them seemed too skinny for the work they were being asked to do. But they lined up as quickly as any other soldier Felix had trained, and their salutes to their captain were nearly perfect.

  "Excellent," Felix said. "You've certainly trained them well, Jorad."

  "I'm doing my best," he said, ducking his head reverently. "These kids are excellent already. It's not as if I had to do much. Not like you whipping us into shape back in Forcadel."

  "I'd say your class of cadets did fairly well," he replied. "Especially showing up like you did in Neveri in the nick of time."

  The younger cousin flushed, staring at the ground with wide eyes. Something was up. Felix wasn't usually so generous with his compliments.

  With a whistle from Jorad, the soldiers paired off and sparred, clashing with wooden weapons. I waited on the edge of the training space while Felix and Jorad made their rounds. A few times, Felix interjected into the fray to show a pair how to do something then complimented his cousin.

  Yes, something was definitely afoot.

  When the matches were over, Jorad beckoned the young cadets to assemble before us.

  "And, salute!" Jorad called.

  They pressed their fist to their chest in unison.

  "Dismissed!"

  The formalities slid from their shoulders and straight backs, and they shuffled away, barking and cajoling like ordinary children. More than a few curses left their lips, and one particularly screechy girl sounded like she'd walked out of a gutter. I had to hide a smile—Jorad had certainly taught them well, but they were still thieves at their core.

  "They'll make fine soldiers one day," Felix said. "I'm very proud of you. Dismissed, soldier."

  Jorad saluted him with relish then marched away, the back of his neck still pink with embarrassment.

  "I think you did that on purpose," I said with a coy look.

  Felix actually attempted to look innocent. "Did what?"

  "What do you want from him?" I pressed, putting my hands on my hips. "To give up his command?"

  "Of course not," Felix said. "He's doing an admirable job. The trainees are doing well, too. I wouldn't dream of getting between them."

  I narrowed my eyes. "Then what are you after?"

  "Nothing."

  "Felix."

  He made a face, looking away. "Fine. I want him to convince Brynna to let me go with them to Neveri."

  "Forget Brynna, I don't think I'll let you." I poked my finger into his ribcage, earning a wince from him. "You're still recovering, Felix."

  "I'm better than I was," he said, rubbing the spot I'd poked. "Nicolasa says I can ride and travel."

  "Did she now?"

  "She will," he said. "Or she'll just see that I can."

  "Stubborn ass," I whispered. "And why do you feel your presence is necessary? Brynna has an army to protect her."

  I expected him to fire back a quick response, but he grew pensive, staring at the ground with a quiet reserve unlike him.

  "I don't recognize her anymore," he said quietly. "The girl I plucked off the streets was a wild, violent thing who took too many risks and laughed in the face of danger. And now, Brynna is a queen—battle-tested, strategic, cautious." He shook his head. "And worse still, I don't know where I can help her. Going with her on this trip would help me feel like…"

  "I understand," I said, softening a little. "But she's still our Brynna—she's just a bit more mature and cautious. And she's listening to us, which is a refreshing change. But that doesn't mean you need to put yourself in danger to prove anything."

  "Kat, I don't think you understand," he said. "I got nothing accomplished. Clearly, Beswick feels the same as he did when I met with him. I made a mockery of my time as The Veil. I thought I was sacrificing myself for her, but instead all I did was cause her more pain and trouble. And if I hadn't been captured, you could've gone with Bea."

  I covered his hand with mine. "I'm sure she doesn't feel that way. She's just grateful to have you safe. And she's failed many times as The Veil. It's apparently part of being a vigilante." When he didn't respond, I tugged at his hand a little. "I know it's hard to come into this place and not know where you fit in. But Brynna needs all the help she can get, whether it's strategic or physical or even just…" I smiled. "The love of a man."

  His gaze darted toward me. "That's not what this is about."

  "I'm sure," I said with a small shrug.

  "This coming from the woman who hasn't asked Beata to marry her yet."

  My pulse spiked as I sputtered. "I'm…sorry?"

  "Oh, Felix," he said, drawing his voice higher to mimic mine, "when I see Beata again, I think I shall ask her to marry me." He grinned as my sputtering intensified. "Oh, Felix, I'm so smitten with her, I cannot even begin to—"

  "What?"

  Beata stood nearby, her eyes wide with surprise and her pink mouth open a little. How much she'd heard, I had no clue, but clearly she'd heard enough.

  "Well?" Felix said, pushing me forward. "Go on."

  "And you," I snapped, pointing at him, "Nicolasa is expecting you back. Hurry up."

  He backed up a few steps then turned in the direction of the Nestori's hut, whistling a little to himself.

  "Shall we…take a walk?" I squeaked to Beata. Then, clearing my throat, I asked her again. "In the forest?"

  She smiled warmly. "Sure."

  Our footsteps crunched on the leafy underbrush, a perfect accompaniment to my thundering heart. Perhaps she would say that marriage was in poor taste, or perhaps she'd lost her love for me along the way. Or, more terrifying, she might agree to marry me.

  "It is quite lovely here," she said, breaking the silence between us. "I don't get a chance to walk out into the forest much."

  "I didn't really notice when I came in, but yes."

  A whistle echoed in the tree above us. At first I thought it a bird, but then a young teenager jumped from the tree.

  "Beggin' your pardon, missus," he said, flashing us a grin that was missing a few teeth. "But Her Majesty asked us to keep watch over the forest. I—"

  Another whistle echoed in the space above us, and this time I noted a pattern to it.

  "Er…" He bowed awkwardly. "Never mind. I been told otherwise. Enjoy your walk." He took off on foot through the underbrush.

  "Well, that was odd," I said, but Beata just smiled.

  "Someone wants to give us some privacy," she said with a knowing look. "The whistles are a code the children use to communicate quickly from all parts of the forest. They've tried to teach me,
but I confess, it's a bit convoluted."

  I nodded, allowing the silence to stretch out between us. There was nothing around us, not even the whisper of a rodent in the leaves or a bird flapping its wings. It had been so long since I'd been out of the hustle and bustle of the city that the silence was almost alarming.

  "Kat," Beata said quietly. "Was there something you wanted to ask me?"

  I swallowed, my tongue like sandpaper in my mouth. "Yes, but I'm not quite sure how to phrase it."

  "That's my Kat," she said, taking my hands in hers. "Always have to do things perfectly the first time, don't you?"

  "It is a quirk of mine," I said, some of the tension loosening in my chest. Looking in her eyes, it was hard to remember why I'd been so terrified. She was everything I could want in a wife, and more importantly, she was everything I could want in a soul mate. I couldn't imagine life without her by my side anymore.

  "Beata," I said quietly. "I've spent these last few weeks apart thinking about how much you mean to me. And if something should happen to either of us…" I ran my finger along her hand. "I have nothing to give you except my love."

  "That's more than enough for me," she replied with a soft smile.

  "Then if you'll have me," I said, a lump of emotion growing in my throat. "I'd love the honor of being your wife."

  "Katarine," she said, stepping closer to me. "My Kat. My love. Nothing would make me happier in this life or the next than to be your wife."

  With a soft sob, I closed the distance between us. Her skin was soft under my fingers, her cheeks wet with tears. She gripped my face, as if I might slip away if she let go. Sniffling, she rested her forehead against mine, closing her eyes.

  "When shall we get married?" I whispered.

  "Tomorrow, if you like," she said. "We'll throw a big party here in camp. I'll bake a cake. Everyone will be invited."

  My heart leapt at the idea, but my mind tamped it down. "We can't go to such extravagance."

  "Extravagance is exactly what is needed. We haven't had good news in weeks. Seeing love flourish in such dark times would do wonders for morale," Beata said, some of that familiar stubbornness coming back to her eyes. "But tomorrow is too soon. There's so much to do. I must find myself some white linens for a dress—perhaps even make a cake—"