For the first time, I accompanied the Lord Chancellor to the throne room for the announcement of the new law. I wanted to see how my people received it.
The room was packed with strangers, along with a few people I recognized from the palace. Cal was there, in the back corner, and I nodded and smiled when I met his eyes. Most of the audience members wore rich colors and expensive fabrics, likely hailing from the Gilded Quarter, but a knot of plainly-dressed men huddled at the back, speaking with a pair of Truthbringers.
My legs felt wooden. I should not have come here.
I sank onto my throne, the Lord Chancellor standing on the dais to my right, and a page sounded a long note on a horn until the onlookers quieted.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your presence today,” the Lord Chancellor began. “We have here a new proposal signed into law by Her Majesty Queen Kalleah Reycoran.” He raised the anti-discrimination law and began to read, while I watched those assembled to gauge their reaction.
The courtiers and royalty did not appear surprised, and I wondered if Ellarie had spoken to them ahead of time. She was much more accustomed to palace politics than I. A few of the wealthy townsfolk seemed pleased about the new law, while others frowned as the Lord Chancellor listed the terms. But the knot of men standing with the Truthbringers at the back of the room looked furious. Just before the Lord Chancellor finished speaking, one of the Truthbringers started toward the front of the room, threading his way through the crowd.
“Are you keeping an eye on him?” I whispered to Ornan, who stood guard beside my throne, trying not to move my lips.
“Of course, Your Majesty. He will have been searched for weapons at the palace gates.”
I stiffened as the Truthbringer rounded the last clump of onlookers and stopped directly before my throne. He was grey-haired, with the visage of a kindly old grandfather, and he smiled gently as he regarded me. I was almost certain this was the man who had led the meetings Deance attended, the Truthbringer leading the entire movement. The Master.
I wanted to arrest him on the spot, but I could accuse him of nothing. Not yet, anyway.
“As always, the new decree will be posted outside the palace gates,” the Lord Chancellor was saying. “Should any questions arise, you may submit them in writing either to the palace guards or the city council.”
The Master bowed. “Your Majesty. Your Honor.” He was still smiling, the sort of small, amused smile that said he knew something I did not. “Do I have leave to speak?”
“You ought to petition Her Majesty for an audience if you have a matter you wish to bring up. We do not have time to hear public grievances. That is for the council to oversee.”
“This will be very quick, Your Honor. Her Majesty will wish to hear this.”
When the Lord Chancellor glanced at me, I gave a jerk of my head to indicate I would listen to what he had to say. I knew I would not like it, whatever it was, but I was too curious to turn him away.
“Speak, if you must,” the Lord Chancellor said grudgingly.
“Your Majesty. It may interest you to know that another murder was discovered in the city this morning.”
I froze. Was it true? The Master was no longer smiling.
“This one showed obvious burn marks. It appears he was attacked by a Flamespinner.”
“Thank you,” the Lord Chancellor said sharply. “You may go.”
“There is more. The man who died was a firm supporter of our cause. He was often found in the main square, preaching the wisdom of Varos. I am aware the details of this unpleasant case will reach you before long, but I wished to tell you in person.”
Before waiting for a dismissal, the Master bowed and strode away. This time the onlookers drew aside as he passed.
Those nearest me were staring at me with hatred etched on their faces, and a storm of whispering swept through the hall in the Truthbringer’s wake.
“You should leave, Your Majesty,” the Lord Chancellor said urgently.
I forced myself to stand, though my legs nearly gave way beneath me. “We need to get Cal out of here,” I told my guards. “Leave ten behind to protect the Lord Chancellor.”
My guards closed around me. By the door, a second set of guards were escorting the Truthbringers and their followers away from the throne room, and when I started toward the door, those assembled drew swiftly away as though I were diseased.
When we reached Cal, I grabbed his arm and marched him along with me, though at first he resisted.
“What was that about?” he hissed once we reached the hallway.
“Another murder,” I whispered tightly. “Don’t speak now. Wait until we reach the Cheltish wing.”
As we hurried along the hall and up the two flights of stairs to the Cheltish wing entrance, it was all I could do to keep from breaking into a run. The energy I had drained from the full throne room buzzed within me, like a strong cup of bitter chocolate, and every instinct told me to flee.
At last we reached the common area, where Baridya and Deance waited for our return. I pulled Cal to one side, where we could not be overheard, and whispered, “Have you been outside the palace anytime recently?”
“No. Mother has hardly let me out of her sight.”
“Good.” I sighed and removed my heavy ceremonial crown, which was giving me a headache. “The victim had burn marks. He was one of the Truthbringers’ supporters, and that man I spoke to is saying a Flamespinner did it.”
Cal’s face drained of color. “I had nothing to do with it. I swear.”
“I know that. But the Truthbringers are evidently trying to drag you into this mess as well—pretend you’re my assassin, like the article suggested. You need to stay inside the palace until this calms down. I don’t want anyone to see you where you’re not supposed to be. The Truthbringers would treat that as proof of your guilt.”
As Baridya and Deance approached, an awful thought struck me. What if one of my supporters was behind the murder, thinking they were helping my cause? Even Deance could have arranged it. She left the palace regularly; I did trust her, but I was not certain how far she was willing to go in her hatred of her family.
“I won’t go outside the palace,” Cal said. “I promise. It’s probably not safe for me in any case.”
“No, probably not.”
“How did the vote go?” Deance asked as she joined us in the corner.
“The vote?” In the face of this new evidence against me, I had completely forgotten about it. “Oh, the law passed. Ellarie kept her word.”
“What’s all the fuss about?” Baridya asked. “Why do you and Cal look so worried?”
I sank into one of the padded armchairs and set my crown on the table. “There’s been another murder. This time it looks like the work of a Flamespinner.”
Both of my ladies-in-waiting looked at Cal, who flushed. “I’m not going around murdering people, I swear,” he mumbled.
“No, of course not,” Deance said. “But whoever is behind it must have read that article. They’ve decided people will never believe Kalleah herself is sneaking around the city and killing people, so instead they latched onto Cal as a convenient suspect. I’m sure it would be easy to char a dead body and make it look like the work of a Flamespinner, and the idea he’s working as Kalleah’s assassin has already been planted.”
“It’s worse than that,” I said. “Apparently the man who died was a well-known advocate for the Truthbringers. Maybe it really was one of my supporters who did it.”
Baridya and Deance stared at me in horror.
“And it’s too late to keep it hushed up?” Deance asked.
“Everyone who was in the throne room knows already. If I tried to hide it now, I would look doubly guilty.”
“Gods,” Baridya said. “I don’t know how you’re going to get out of this one.”
“Nor do I.”
7
The Rogue Horsemen
I retreated alone to my room, where I slipped out
to the balcony and paced from end to end. Low clouds threatened snow, and a fierce wind raked its nails across my cheeks.
This was a mess. I barely held the throne a span, and already I had lost control of my city—the Truthbringers were manipulating me from behind the scenes, drawing more and more supporters into their fold with each mark against me.
And what could I do? Today’s law would keep the newspapers from printing lies about Cal, but it would not stop the Master from urging his followers to destroy the magic races. His hateful speech was now illegal, but I had no way to enforce it, not without turning my entire city against me.
I could not pass laws, I could not keep my friends safe within the palace, I could not walk in my own streets without being attacked…if this kept going much longer, we would have a full uprising on our hands. The townspeople might take up arms against me and overthrow the entire monarchy. And who would rule in my place? A Truthbringer?
No, I could not allow it to come to that.
But how the plagues was I supposed to wrest support back from the Truthbringers?
I almost wondered if I would have been better off leaving my throne to Leoth. He would not be countered at every turn.
Yet he had been working with the Truthbringers. If he sat the throne, he would give them free rein to strip the rights of our magic races one by one. They would destroy us.
What was better? The whole city descending into anarchy, or a monarch allowing the Truthbringers to target the magic races with discrimination and violence? I was no longer certain.
My reign had been a disaster from the start, and it could only get worse.
When a knock rattled the door to my balcony, I whirled. Mother and Father stood inside my bedchamber, expressions grim.
With one last look over the grey city, I slipped back into my suite, a gust of wind curling through the door after me.
“What were you doing out there?” Mother asked.
“Just thinking. Being outside clears my mind.”
“Kalleah, there is something very serious we need to discuss,” my father said. “Perhaps we should—”
“Is it about the murder?”
“How did you know?” Mother asked.
“A Truthbringer was kind enough to tell me the details after we announced the new law,” I said sourly. “Apparently it was the work of a Flamespinner—or so they say.”
“Did you realize blame has already been pointed at your new advisor, Prince Calden?” my father asked. “I sincerely hope you are not behind this murder. The man who died was a prominent supporter of the Truthbringers.”
“Do you honestly think I would be that stupid?” I snapped. “People are looking for any reason to turn against me. I would never risk my throne for the death of a man I know nothing about. If the Master himself shows up dead someday, you can pin the blame on me, and I would gladly accept it. But until we can move against the Truthbringers as a whole, there is no reason whatsoever for me to anger them further by murdering their supporters at random.”
“Kalleah, it’s not wise to jest about these matters,” Mother said tightly. “We don’t know who might be listening.”
“And that’s another thing,” I said. “Someone told the Baylore Daily about Cal. We must have spies within the palace. How do we know we can even trust our guards? Or anyone in our family?”
“This sort of paranoia will not serve you well,” my father said.
Mother shook her head. “I think you have made a mistake in employing Prince Calden. He is known to sneak around with servants and act behind his mother’s back—whether or not he is loyal to you, it is too much of a risk to continue working alongside him. Your best move would be to publicly dismiss Calden from your service. That will quiet the rumors and prove you intend to do something about these murders.”
“Or it will prove Cal’s guilt,” I said angrily. “It will endanger him more than ever, and prove I am willing to bend to the Truthbringers’ will. If I start dismissing everyone they slander, who will I be forced to turn against next?”
“It is not mere slander,” Mother said. “A man died at the hand of a Flamespinner.”
“We don’t know that! The burn marks could have been added afterward. Or someone could have attacked him with a torch. I followed your advice and did not send guards to investigate the body, but at this point, it could be anyone.”
“Not in the eyes of your people,” my father said. “I agree with Ammeline. You ought to dismiss Prince Calden as a gesture to prove your sincerity. No one will believe you genuinely intend to catch the murderer if you continue to harbor suspects.”
“Cal is not a suspect! The Truthbringers are just trying to make it look that way!”
My father’s eyebrows drew together. “You would do well to follow our advice, Kalleah.” His voice had gone deep and threatening. “I recommend ordering the impartial city justice force to launch a full investigation into the recent murders. And if any evidence emerges that points to Prince Calden, you must release him from your service before he is put on trial.”
“I won’t.” I didn’t even care if Cal was responsible for the murder, which I was certain he was not. I refused to turn against him. “But I will order the investigation. I hope the city justice force truly is impartial.”
Mother sighed. “You are queen, of course. You have the final say in this matter.” She took my father’s arm and turned to leave. At the door of my bedchamber, she stopped. “Kalleah? Will you join me for tea tomorrow morning?”
“If I have time.” I knew Mother. She would use the chance to erode my confidence until I was forced to agree with her.
Alone again, I lay back on my down quilt, suddenly drained. Even my parents were turning against me. Was it my fault? Had I made a mistake somewhere along the way that was coming back to bite me? Or was I simply growing paranoid?
* * *
I decided I would accept Mother’s invitation for tea. If my father was not present, I might be able to draw the truth from her. I needed to know whether my parents still trusted me.
First, though, I sent word for the Lord Chancellor to authorize a full investigation into the recent murders.
The next morning, the headline of the Baylore Daily read,
QUEEN KALLEAH ORDERS INVESTIGATION IN SURPRISE MOVE LAST NIGHT
When I scanned the article over a breakfast of millet scones and goat’s cheese, I was surprised to find it praising my decision.
This is a triumph of justice. The city police investigation force will be looking into both murders without any influence from the palace, which means the results will hold up to scrutiny. This move comes as a surprise to detractors of Queen Kalleah, who claim she is behind both murders and would do anything to keep evidence of her involvement from surfacing.
Relief slackened my muscles as I continued to read. The journalist behind this article did not choose sides, and did not speculate as to the outcome of the investigation. Perhaps not all journalists in Baylore were in the Truthbringers’ pockets.
“That was a very wise decision,” Mother said when I showed her the headline. “I’m proud of you, darling.”
But it had not been my decision at all—my father had suggested the investigation. I forced a smile.
When I joined Mother in the downstairs sitting-room several hours later, Lyla and a pair of servers were already busy laying out a spread of teas, hot chocolates, and dainty cakes. Once they left, silence settled over the room. It was far too large for just the two of us—we were lost in the cavernous space.
I busied myself pouring a mug of hot chocolate, bitter and thick and scented with orange rind. I did not want to look at Mother.
“I realized yesterday that I have not spent enough time with you since your coronation,” Mother said at last, her voice expanding in the silent room. “You used to confide in me, and now I fear you wish to isolate yourself. But every new ruler needs support and guidance. It is not a sign of weakness to listen to the advice of your pare
nts.”
“Of course,” I said stiffly. “I value your judgment greatly, as well as my father’s.”
Mother raised her tea to her lips and took a sip, studying me with what looked like disappointment. “Then why do you push us away at every turn? Why do you disregard our advice?”
“Because I don’t think either of you realize how bad things have gotten. My father is giving advice that would have been perfectly sensible while he was king, but now it’s all wrong. I have so few supporters, Mother. I can’t start turning them away because the Truthbringers spread lies about them. They’ll only move on to my next supporter. Soon enough, everyone will be gone, and I’ll be surrounded by enemies.”
“You have us,” Mother said. “You ought not to discount that. Your father was a well-respected king, and he still holds sway at the palace.”
“Does he, though? What happened when he returned from Larkhaven? The city was ready to turn against him.”
“The city—not the palace. You should focus on winning support within the palace first, so you can present a unified front to the city. We must refine the presentation of your laws as well. I cannot understand why you have not managed to pass such straightforward proposals.”
There was no point arguing further. Mother was convinced I could regain favor if I just tried hard enough, and I would not persuade her otherwise. “What else do you recommend?” I asked flatly. I would follow her advice—as long as it did not involve turning away my supporters—and if it failed, perhaps then she would believe me.
“You ought to hold events within the palace where you have a chance to mingle with your peers in a relaxed setting. Dinners, perhaps, or dances. That way you can speak with the nobility in person and get an idea of their political stance. Perhaps some will be persuaded to support you under certain conditions. Many are drawn to power, regardless of who wields it. You might be able to win allies who think they have something to gain from supporting you.”
Innocent Queen: A Court Intrigue Fantasy (The Forbidden Queen Series Book 2) Page 7
