“I don’t want to marry anyone,” I remind her. “But I’ll do what I must for Astrea.”
Dragonsbane glances sideways at me, a surprised smile tugging at her mouth. “Good girl,” she says before pushing open the door to the pavilion.
She doesn’t see the effect those two words have on me. She can’t know that they were the same ones the Kaiser used to say to me when I did something he approved of. It isn’t the same thing, I know, but it feels a bit similar.
I push the feeling aside and follow her into the candlelit pavilion, which looks much the same as it did the night before, with the artfully arranged sofas and chairs, the countless small pillows, the paper lanterns hanging from the cloth ceiling.
The suitors are in their usual places as well, but there are more of them now. Empress Giosetta is here tonight, sitting in a corner with a young girl with plaited hair. There are also a few of the red-haired Esstenian kings, bickering over who gets to drink the last bit of wine in the bottle, and going at it with so much ferocity that I worry it will come to blows. Erik and Hoa sit together on the other side of the room, both dressed in their traditional Gorakian robes, and a strange old man with copper skin, a bald head, and a hawklike nose sits alone near them in a loose brown chiton that looks similar to fashions in Astrea, but much simpler, without the ornamentation or color. Chief Kapil, I’d imagine. He’s as old as Artemisia led me to believe, but he doesn’t wear the years the same way King Etristo does. Though he must be at least a decade older, there’s a spryness to his movements that the King doesn’t possess.
All the suitors rise when they see me, even Chief Kapil, though he has to lean heavily on his cane to do so. The only one who doesn’t stand is King Etristo, who is dozing in his chair. I pray to the gods that he doesn’t wake before the end of the night. If I have to hear him call me my dear tonight, I just might snap at him.
“Please, be seated,” I say, smiling at each of them. “Those of you who were here last night know that this is all rather casual—just an opportunity for us to get to know one another a little better to ensure our interests align.” I gesture to Dragonsbane. “My aunt and I will be spending time with everyone, though there are quite a lot of you and there is only one of me, so it might take a while. Luckily, King Etristo was kind enough to offer what looks like a delicious spread of food and plenty of wine.”
King Etristo stirs for a second at the sound of his name before settling back into sleep. There’s a bit of laughter at that, and Erik lifts his wineglass.
“Hear, hear,” he says to me.
“Shall we greet Chief Kapil first?” I ask Dragonsbane. “He’s the only one I haven’t met.”
“No, no,” she says, waving a dismissive hand. “We’ll start with the more important ones. Come, let’s say hello to the Empress.”
I follow her without complaint. Though I’d rather meet the Chief and find out why he came all this way, I’m also curious to speak more with Empress Giosetta.
When we make our way toward her, the Empress smiles and gets to her feet, the young girl standing a second later. They’re wearing matching gowns of teal silk that drape elegantly over one shoulder, leaving the other bare in a style similar to that of Astrean gowns. But while Astrean gowns are loose and light, these are fitted more tightly and embellished so heavily they more closely resemble armor than gowns. The Empress’s hair is down and loose in brown waves that have been threaded with jewels.
“Queen Theodosia,” she says to me with a curtsy that the girl tries to mimic. “May I introduce you to my daughter and heir, Fabienne.”
I smile at the girl, who beams back at me. “Lovely to meet you,” I tell her before introducing my aunt.
“I’ve been looking forward to speaking with another female ruler,” I tell the Empress once we’re all seated.
She laughs. “Yes, it is overwhelmingly male here, isn’t it?” she asks. “I think that’s what would make us an excellent match. I daresay I respect you far more than anyone else here.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I tell her. “Though I do have questions.”
The Empress smiles. “You would like to know if our partnership would be romantic in nature?” she guesses. I nod, glancing uncertainly at Fabienne, who doesn’t seem fazed. “Well, I myself am attracted to both men and women equally.”
“Oh,” I say. “I…am not.”
“Pity,” she says. “But I’ve never had trouble finding love and I would be more than happy to agree to a platonic partnership if it would suit you.”
I smile and nod, even though the truth of the matter is that even if she could be content with not bedding me, I doubt she would be as understanding if I asked to keep sole reign over Astrea.
Dragonsbane stands, claiming we need to visit with others, and I agree, saying polite goodbyes to Giosetta and Fabienne.
* * *
—
Dragonsbane surprises me. Instead of leading me toward Archduke Etmond or the Esstenian Kings or Czar Reymer, as I expect her to, she veers toward Chief Kapil. He looks as surprised as I feel when he sees us coming toward him. He makes an effort to reach for his cane to stand, but I stop him.
“Really, no need, Chief Kapil,” I say, sitting down across from him. “I’m not very fond of curtsying, and I can do without another one.”
Relief is evident in his eyes as he takes hold of my hand, kissing the back of it.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Queen Theodosia. I’ve heard enough about you that I feel as if we know one another already.”
There’s that uncomfortable feeling again. He’s heard so much about me yet I know nothing about him apart from his name. But unlike the others, he doesn’t look at me with pity.
“You’re a brave young woman,” he says, surprising me. “And I understand that I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
It takes me a moment to understand what he’s thanking me for—interfering when the Kalovaxians went to invade Vecturia.
“I’m only sorry I couldn’t do more,” I tell him. “I heard about the burning of your country’s food stores. How are your people faring?”
His face darkens but he shakes his head. “Vecturia has faced worse than a famine; she will survive it.”
Vecturia will survive it, maybe, but not all her people will. And Søren gave that order. I might have forgiven many of his sins, but some sins aren’t mine to forgive.
“I wish there were something I could do,” I tell him.
“Pah,” he says, leaning against the back of the sofa. “I am more concerned about what I can do for you.”
I swallow, wary of where this is going. He’s old enough to be my grandfather, and an alliance with Vecturia wouldn’t be enough to retake Astrea.
“I can’t marry you,” I tell him as gently as I can.
He laughs quietly and pats my hand with his weathered, liver-spotted one. “I know, Your Majesty,” he says. “Not all of us old men seek child brides to recapture our lost youth. My youth was well spent but it’s long gone now. I have no desire to rob you of yours.”
“Why are you here then?” Dragonsbane interrupts.
He doesn’t look at her, all of his attention focused instead on me.
“I needed to meet you,” he says. “I needed to look you in the eye and tell you how sorry I am that Vecturia didn’t help Astrea when the Kalovaxians attacked. I will spend what is left of my life atoning for that mistake. I am grateful that you were braver and kinder than I was.”
“It was the right move, strategically,” I tell him, uncomfortable with the way he’s looking at me, like I’m some sort of savior. I’m not.
“Then it was brave and kind and wise as well,” he says with a smile. “I have no desire to marry you, Queen Theodosia, but you have an alliance with Vecturia nonetheless, if you so desire it. You have our armies, however meager they may be.”
* * *
—
Chief Kapil takes his leave shortly after—his country can’t afford for him to spend more than one night in Sta’Crivero. I’m sorry that he had to spend any amount of money for such a short conversation, but he won’t hear any of that. We will be in touch, he promises, lifting my hand to his lips for a brief kiss.
I find that I am sad to see him go. When he does, I make my way toward Archduke Etmond, and Dragonsbane doesn’t try to steer me elsewhere. She would approve of the match, I’m sure. Etralia is a wealthy country, with a strong military presence. That his company doesn’t suffocate me is merely a bonus, I suppose.
“I was hoping to have a chance to speak with you tonight, Your Majesty,” Archduke Etmond says, his voice low. “I’m afraid this whole ordeal is…well, it’s trying for me and I’m sure it’s doubly so for you.”
I smile slightly. “It is overwhelming,” I admit.
His smile grows a little easier. “My brother sent me here,” he admits. “And I think he meant it as more of a prank than anything. I’m not…I’ve never been very good at talking to people, you know. And women…” He trails off, shaking his head. “I’m sure he believes I will come back embarrassed and rejected.”
He doesn’t say it like he’s looking for pity. He’s only stating a simple fact. Before I can say anything to soothe his mind, he continues.
“But…would I be right in surmising that you aren’t looking for a romantic partner?” he asks.
Next to me, Dragonsbane goes still. I ignore her. Instead, I move closer to the Archduke.
“Yes,” I tell him. “You are quite right. Though marriage seems to be the only way to take Astrea back, and so I will do what I must.”
For the first time since I met him, the Archduke holds my gaze, nodding once before he looks away. “I believe that we can help each other,” he says, lowering his voice. “You need an army to defeat the Kalovaxians. I have an army.”
“Your brother has an army,” Dragonsbane interjects.
The Archduke shakes his head. “My brother wears the crown, but his army listens to me. He knows this as well as anyone; he is content with the arrangement. After all, we rarely have need for our army. We’ve fought no wars in years. I can get troops to fight for you.”
“How many?” I ask him.
“Enough,” he says.
I try to keep my expectations in check, but a stupid hope works its way into my chest anyway.
“And what would you need in return?” I ask him. “Sovereignty over Astrea?”
He shakes his head. “No, no. Nothing like that. The idea that I might inherit Etralia if my brother fails to produce an heir is horror enough. No. Several years ago, the Theyn came to visit Etralia and my brother gifted him my favorite chess set. Centuries old, carved from onyx and bone.”
I remember the chess set. I saw it often when I visited Crescentia; it was kept on a shelf like a decoration, never actually used.
“My brother gave it to him to spite me,” the Archduke continues. “But I have always mourned the loss of it. I understand the Theyn is now dead.”
“You want your chess set back,” Dragonsbane says slowly, disbelief punctuating every word.
“A family heirloom,” he says. “It is more precious to me than anything.” He straightens up, a shy smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “And besides, it’s been many years since Etralia has fought a war. It sounds like it could pose quite an interesting challenge.”
I exchange a skeptical look with Dragonsbane before nodding. “I think we can agree to that partnership,” I tell him.
He smiles broadly and motions to a serving girl carrying a bottle of wine. It’s the same skittish girl who delivered the King’s message earlier. She’s even more ill at ease here, her hands shaking as she pours two glasses of rich red liquid. Dragonsbane waves her off before she pours a third, since her own glass is still half full. When the Archduke passes a glass to me, I force a smile. In truth, I know that I can’t drink anything more. I haven’t eaten all night because the dress is too restricting, and already I can feel the little wine I’ve had clouding my mind.
“To new friends,” Archduke Etmond says, lifting his glass toward me.
I lift my glass to meet his, but when he takes a sip, I only pretend to. It’s all I can do not to get to my feet and shout with joy. I want to throw my wine in King Etristo’s face and tell him exactly what I think of him. I want to dance until my feet bleed. For the first time in a long time, the hope in me is not a fragile thing. It is growing firmer, growing bolder.
I open my mouth to thank the Archduke, but before I can get the words out, a bewildered expression settles over his face. His hands rise to clutch at his throat and his eyes grow wide and panicked. He scrambles to his feet, knocking into our table and sending both of our glasses careening to the ground, then collapses beside them.
Everyone is on their feet but my mind is still a bewildered blur. Dragonsbane grabs my wrist, her fingers digging into my skin painfully as she pulls me away.
“Get back!” a voice calls, breaking through the panicked murmur. Coltania rushes toward him, moving surprisingly fast in her heavy dress. She drops gracelessly next to him, rolling him over onto his back and feeling his chest. “He isn’t breathing, I’m going to have to do it for him.”
She leans over the Archduke, fixing her lips to his in what looks at first like a kiss, but it isn’t. Her cheeks puff up, then his do before she pulls back and does it again.
I wrench my arm out of Dragonsbane’s grip and move toward him, horror coursing through me as the Archduke’s skin takes on a purple tint. I feel like I’m walking through a dream, my mind unable to comprehend what is happening right before my eyes.
“Theo,” a voice says, cutting through the fog. Erik steps in front of me, blocking the Archduke from my sight. He grips my shoulders, giving me a gentle shake, but I barely feel it. I barely feel anything at all. “Theo, you need to leave. It’s poison and there may be more. The wine—did you drink it?
I find my voice. “No,” I say, though I don’t sound like myself. “I didn’t have any.”
Erik nods, looking relieved. “We need to get you out of here until it’s safe.”
I finally drag my eyes to his and realize what he is and isn’t saying. Poison, but maybe not intended for the Archduke at all. He isn’t the one with a million gold pieces on his head. He isn’t the one the Kaiser wants dead or alive. Erik swallows, his eyes wide. We both know too well that the Kaiser always gets what he wants, sooner or later, and that no decree from King Etristo can stop him.
Without waiting for a response, Erik leads me out of the room and down the hall, leaving the panicked clamor behind us.
THE TRIP BACK TO MY room passes in a blur of shock. I don’t even remember the ride in the riser. All I’m aware of is my erratic heartbeat thundering in my ears. By the time we reach my room, my mind is slowly coming back to me, like fingers of sunlight through a dense forest.
“He’s dead, isn’t he?” I ask Erik, though my voice sounds far away.
He lingers uncertainly in the doorway. “Maybe the Chancellor’s sister saved him,” he says, but I don’t think either of us believes that. We both saw the Archduke’s face turn purple, and Coltania said he wasn’t breathing. When I saw the Kaiserin fall from the window after the Maskentanz, there was a stupid, hopeful part of me that believed she’d survived, up until I saw her face. But like trust, stupid hope is something I can’t afford anymore.
It’s only then that I realize how shaken Erik is as well. He’s good at hiding it—I su
ppose he’s seen death often enough on the battlefield. But this is different; the palace is supposed to be safe. If the Kaiser can get to me here, is there any place that is truly safe as long as he draws breath?
It might not be the Kaiser, though. The room was full of royals, each with their own conflicts and enemies. The poison wasn’t necessarily for me. But even as I think that, the Kaiser’s face looms large in my mind and I feel his hot, drunken breath on my skin. Five million gold pieces for me alive, but one million dead. One million is still plenty.
“I should stay a while, until we know the threat is contained,” Erik says. I wonder suddenly if he knows about the reward.
For a treacherous instant, I wonder if I can trust him, but I quickly banish the thought. If Erik was loyal to the Kaiser, he wouldn’t have brought me back to my room. He would have taken advantage of the chaos and taken me out of Sta’Crivero. He would have taken the five million gold pieces.
I sink down onto the sofa, the stiff material of my gown crunching underneath me. “I liked him,” I tell Erik. “At least, I liked him better than the others. He was…awkward, but he was kind. He didn’t look at me like I was a roast carved up on the table for him. And he just…he just offered me his army. No strings attached, no cut of the magic, no marriage, just a chess set of his the Theyn had.”
It’s only after I say the words that I realize I am already using the past tense.
Erik shakes his head, dropping his gaze away from me. “With the power of the Haptanian army, we could have wiped out the Kalovaxians in a month.”
A month. My heart lurches in my chest. In a month, I could have been back in Astrea, sitting on my mother’s throne. In a month, my country would have been liberated and I would have made the Kaiser pay for everything he’d done to us. Everything I’ve ever wanted was so close to being within my grasp, only to be yanked away.
I close my eyes, but there is no hiding the tears that come. I press the heels of my hands to my eyes and let the sobs rack through me.
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