by Jordi Burton
“Did you?”
Anastasia shook her head. “How could you ask me that?”
“I’m sorry, my Princess.”
As Lili dressed her in a light summer gown, Anastasia mulled over what she knew. Calla had come to her after the privy council meeting, basically telling her that she would break William out of prison. But did she actually? Would she have gone behind her back like that, after she explicitly told her aunt she didn’t want William to be freed that way?
“Do you know where he is?”
Anastasia sighed. “No. Which is why I contacted Glude. He’ll be kinder in his search than whoever the Representatives would send.”
Ready for the day, Anastasia glanced at her reflection in her looking glass. She’d removed her marriage necklace from Aatu on the day William had been arrested. Her neck had felt empty for weeks after, and she’d often caught herself reaching up to touch the golden rings. Now, however, she’d gotten used to only wearing her moonstone pendant. It sat along her collarbone, glittering in the sunlight, reminding her of her grandmother every time she saw it. A pang of longing went through her.
Turning away from her reflection, she straightened her shoulders. Following Lili out into the hall, she found her aunt Celia already waiting for her; she’d taken her position of Chamberlain seriously since Anastasia stepped in for her mother.
“Good morning,” she said, offering a curt nod to Lili.
Anastasia forced a smile. “Good morning.”
Without another word, Celia strode purposefully down the hall, expecting Lili and Anastasia to follow. Rolling her eyes at Lili, Anastasia followed. Gath and Mortam took up their positions alongside them.
“Today we have a lot to cover,” Celia said.
Anastasia hurried to catch up. “What is first on the agenda?”
Celia seemed to not hear her. “I sent for your page. He should be picking up your letters now and delivering them to the sorcerer messenger.”
“Good.”
“Now, Master Glude is waiting for you. After that, you have a meeting with the Court. There are some things we need to discuss.” Celia looked up from the list in her hand. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
Anastasia furrowed her brow. “For?”
“Oh, it’ll do.”
Celia snapped her fingers and the guards in front of the throne room opened the doors. Anastasia strode inside hoping that this time she sat in the throne, the outcome would be drastically different than the time before. As she settled down, Celia snapped her fingers again. A guard escorted Master Glude into the room. He stood there, dwarfed by the distance between them, his bushy moustache rippling with displeasure.
Master Glude bowed. “Your Highness.”
“Good morning, Master Glude.”
“You called for me?”
Anastasia’s skin crawled at the iciness in her own voice. “As you know, William Dinas was arrested for desertion and charged with conspiracy to commit treason.”
Master Glude’s expression gave nothing of his thoughts away. “Aye.”
“Last night he escaped custody.”
“I see.”
She wished she could read Master Glude’s thoughts. He had trained William from the time he was ten-years-old, watched as he surpassed his peers, his teachers. He couldn’t believe what the Representatives had charged him with, could he?
“I would like you to dispatch warriors to find him. As portals are being watched closely, it is unlikely William left the city. As such, he is under your jurisdiction.”
Master Glude nodded. “I have a few good men I could spare for the task.”
Anastasia wondered just what that meant. Good men as in good warriors? Or good men he trusted to know the truth about William? Why did it feel like everything everyone said had double meaning?
“I shall start by putting out some wanted posters.”
Anastasia nodded. “That sounds wise.”
Master Glude bowed again. “Thank you, Your Highness. I shall begin right away.”
He left the throne room and Anastasia sagged in her chair. She was sending warriors to hunt William. How had life become this? She didn’t have long to dwell, however, before Celia prodded her with her quill and began reading from her list anew. Groaning inwardly, Anastasia made to follow her aunt, but the door to the throne room burst open. William’s father, Dolan Dinas, marched inside.
Celia cleared her throat. “You do not have an appointment with the Princess.”
Completely taken aback, Anastasia merely stared as Dolan approached the dais. She waved away the guards, letting William’s father stand before her. He didn’t speak at first, but looked up at her with an unreadable expression.
“Nothing,” he finally said, his voice thick with emotion. “The night the Shadows attacked, I said nothing as my son ran off to find you. I wasn’t even angry when I didn’t see or hear from my son for six months. Because I knew he was doing the job he’d dreamed about.”
Anastasia’s heart twisted but she remained silent. Her aunt seemed too stunned to speak. It felt like the entire room held its breath.
“I said nothing when my son became an apprentice for the royal guard. He came home exhausted, but thrilled, knowing he was protecting the woman he’d wanted to protect since he first held a dagger.” Dolan shook his head, his eyes wet with tears. “I didn’t even say anything when his dagger was taken from him, or when he returned after almost dying, or the night he was arrested, because I knew that the person he’d dedicated his life to would at least try to repay the kindness given her.
“I knew in my heart that William would be looked after, because my son is no fool. He was raised to be better than that. And I could see it in his eyes that he knew exactly who he was throwing his lot in with. But I never thought of this ending. I never imagined you would do this to my boy.”
Anastasia swallowed. “Master Dinas…”
Dolan cut her off. “I didn’t say anything about William, and now you have my daughter off on some secret mission.”
“I—”
“They are not your playthings that you can cast aside when you’re finished. They are my children. And you have taken both from me.”
Celia’s pale cheeks reddened. “How dare you speak to the Crown Princess that way?”
But William’s father merely turned away with a scowl. As he left, Anastasia felt as though her resolve would go with him. But now was neither the time nor the place to cry. She’d hadn’t once broken down over William, or Chris, or her mother. And she wouldn’t let herself, not when there was something to be done. She’d cry later, once her people were safe.
Celia rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. “What a horrible man.”
“He’s a father grieving for his wife and children.”
Saying nothing, her aunt led her from the room. They made a silent walk to the Council chambers, where the royal Court waited to meet her. She’d never met the entire Court before; her mother always did, though infrequently. She didn’t even know what they all did.
When they stepped into the Council chambers, Anastasia hesitated. It seemed like they were already mid-meeting. Her uncle, Graham, motioned her over with a silent wave. She took the empty seat beside him, in the seat her mother usually took in High Council meetings. Lili stayed with Gath and Mortam just outside the door. Anastasia met her eyes, shooting her a pained look, before Celia slammed the doors closed. The Court glanced up, apparently used to Celia’s dramatics, before turning to Anastasia.
She met their unfamiliar eyes. “Uh, good morning.”
“It’s never acceptable to begin a sentence with ‘uh,’ Anastasia,” Celia admonished. “Try again.”
Embarrassed, Anastasia clenched her fists under the table. How was she expected to rule in her mother’s absence when everyone insisted on treating her like a child? She understood she was young. She knew her age. But she was still the acting ruler of Jacqueline. How could anyone look to her for guidance if they saw her as a
kid?
“Good morning.”
Celia nodded. “Better.”
“It is wonderful to finally meet you all.”
A man dressed in a dirty tunic and worn trousers scoffed. “That’s all well and good, but I have things to do. Shall we just get to the point?”
Celia motioned to Anastasia. “As Anastasia is now the acting ruler of Jacqueline, I thought it best for her to know the Court. You should all introduce yourselves and explain your positions. You are her Court, now.”
Anastasia worked to keep from frowning. She didn’t like the finality with which her aunt spoke. This was her mother’s Court, the people her mother chose to be a part of the extended royal family. They should all be serving her mother, not her. It felt wrong to claim them as her Court, a sentiment which a few members clearly shared by the looks they gave her.
The man in the dirty tunic spoke first. “I’m Yorren Argrave, Your Highness, the royal groom. I tend the caprases. Or I would, if I weren’t stuck in this meeting.”
Celia gave him a sharp look. “Bite your tongue if you have nothing kind to say.”
“I have a job to do. I don’t need to sit around and listen to people introduce themselves to a girl who is just as likely to return to playing dolls than she is to keep this position long-term.”
His words stung, but Anastasia understood. She was just six months past her coming of age. To them she was still a child. But her grandmother hadn’t been much older when she’d become Queen, having lost her mother to illness when she was nineteen-years-old. But she’d done everything in her power to prove she was worthy of taking on the task. It was they who had the problem.
Anastasia offered a saccharine smile. “Master Argrave, I would be honored if you would show me how you tend the caprases sometime. In fact, I would be delighted to learn from all of you, to better understand how the Court functions.”
Celia looked down at her list, a frustrated expression on her face. Clearly, she was trying to see how she could fit all of them into her schedule, alongside the other daily necessities they had to attend to.
Grumbling some sort of response, Yorren fell silent. Anastasia was introduced to Rodsen Fuller, the royal falconer, and his wife, the royal huntsman, Gaela; the Court judge, Sira Vellen; the royal bard, Naay Spiritlight from the riverlands; and the two door keepers, Huln Dardek and Curno Cassade, before they needed to return to work. Yorren joined them, leaving Anastasia alone with the handful of people she recognized.
Her uncle Graham, the royal diplomat, waited until the door closed behind the others before he turned to his sister. “We have some items of importance to discuss. Celia?”
“The tattoos and the signet.”
Anastasia’s mind was still spinning with the names of the other members of the Court. Under the table, Celia passed her a rolled parchment. When she opened it, she found a small diagram of the people of the Court and their official titles. She thanked her aunt with a small smile
Belatedly, she realized what her aunt had said: the tattoos. Did they mean her tattoos? Was she finally going to get them?
Annek Sophine, the religious advisor, leaned forward. Anastasia had met her once before, when she’d returned from the Shadow compound with her sister, Representative Sophine. Then, she’d been too wracked with grief at Aatu’s death to have much conversation with Annek. Now, she studied her. She had the same tanned skin and indigo eyes as her sister, but where her sister’s hair was dark, Annek’s was blonde as the sun.
“The tattoos should have been granted years ago,” she said. “To wait so long is an affront to the Gods and Angels.”
Graham nodded. “As you’ve said before.”
“The summer solstice is a week away. The Crown Princess should have them by then.”
Anastasia sat back in her seat. It felt odd to be referred to by her official title; most people called her Your Highness. But even stranger was the thought that in a handful of short days, she would have her tattoos. The ones that named her the official future Queen of Jacqueline. While it was obvious that was her eventual destiny, the tattoos made it real in a spiritual sense, granted by the magic of the Gods and Angels.
Every Nadmilise received their tattoos upon their tenth birthday, learning what their trade was to be. She’d missed out on that. Her tenth year, when she and her parents were in the human realm, she’d waited and waited for them to show up on her arm, not realizing sorcerer magic was needed.
Celia took to scribbling on her list. “The family should be in attendance, the Representatives, the High Council and their children…there is not appropriate time to send out invitations.”
“Keep it simple,” Graham said. “Invite the family, and Valdon will perform the ceremony.”
Annek nodded. “That would please the Gods and Angels.”
The other members of the Court agreed. Anastasia was shocked by how little excessive talk there was. In the High Council and privy council, all there seemed to be was talk. The Court, however, seemed to get right down to business. She supposed it had to do with everyone having duties outside these meetings, like Mistress Miglune, the Court physician.
Seemingly pleased with Graham’s decision, Celia looked up from her list. “Now, the business of the signet.”
Anastasia’s stomach clenched. They meant her mother’s signet. There was no way she’d take the signet, not while her mother still lived. She couldn’t.
Mistress Miglune steepled her thin fingers. “Her Royal Highness Queen Anarose does not appear to be recovering any time soon. As the acting ruler of Jacqueline, it is Anastasia’s job to take the signet, as I have said.”
The Commander of the Royal Guard, Marya, shook her head. “Anastasia is only acting ruler. While Anarose still lives, she is the Queen. By rights, the signet is hers.”
Anastasia watched Marya warily, remembering all too vividly the last time she’d seen her: Warrior Worris, the leader of the Royal Guard, lay on the ground, unmoving. A large splinter of wood from her shattered lance stuck out of her side. Deep crimson blood pulsed from the wound. Thankfully, she seemed to have recovered well enough.
“Let’s give it some time,” Annek intoned.
Mistress Miglune narrowed her grassy eyes. “We have given it time.”
Marya pursed her lips. “It is clear Anastasia is the acting ruler. Should something happen to Queen Anarose, we shall reevaluate then.”
“Queen Anarose is not—”
Graham cut Mistress Miglune off with a sharp look. “I agree with Marya.”
“Fine.”
Celia returned to her list. “It seems as though that is all we needed to discuss. This meeting can adjourn.”
The remaining members of the Court disbursed, leaving Anastasia alone with her aunt once more. Looking down at the diagram her aunt had given her of the Court, she wondered about the royal judge, Sira Vellen. Could she possibly help William? Undo what the Representatives had done? Or protect him once he was found? Because, surely, he would turn himself over. He was too honorable to be a fugitive.
Her aunt nudged her, bringing her from her thoughts. “Let’s go.”
Lili approached as they exited, handing Anastasia a stack of letters that had arrived during the meeting. Knowing better than before to leave them unopened, she unrolled them as they walked. Most were correspondences that should be delegated to the Court or privy council. But one letter stood out from the others. It was sealed with the white, wind-like curl of the elementals. Anastasia cracked it open and as she read, she slowed to a halt. It took her aunt a moment to realize she wasn’t walking beside her anymore.
“Anastasia? Come along, now.”
Lili caught the stunned expression on Anastasia’s face. “What’s happened, my Princess?”
“There has been another body found, in Azire.” She shook her head. “It’s the same as the mermaid Eala contacted me about.”
“With the note...?”
Anastasia nodded. “Yes, my name was pinned to the body
again.”
“A warning or a promise?”
“I fear it is both.”
Her aunt impatiently returned, motioning to her list. When she caught the look on Anastasia’s face, she refrained from mentioning their other tasks for the day.
Anastasia considered her options. She needed to go to Azire, just as she’d gone to see Eala when Ourla was found. But what did the bodies mean? They were killed in the same way, with their fingertips burnt. Were the deaths a sign, or was there more?
“Tell Nalin I’m coming,” she told Lili.
As her handmaiden hurried off, her aunt protested. “You cannot go running off every time someone dies around here!”
“Whoever is doing this needs to be stopped. If I am involved somehow, I need to understand why.”
“We have preparations to make, Anastasia.”
Anastasia shook her head. “They can wait.”
As soon as Lili returned, Anastasia went with Gath and Mortam to open a portal to the elemental realm. The last time she’d been there, she’d fought Adrian and the Shadows in the Sky Temple, hidden high among the clouds. She’d met Jumba, learned of his involvement in her grandmother’s grand scheme, and told William she loved him. It was surreal to enter the Temple once again.
As the portal closed behind them, Anastasia found herself standing in a grand foyer. The crystalline ceiling rose three stories high, prisms of light filtering through from the ruby sun. Gilded floors depicted the four symbols for the elements, interspersed with veins of silver and bronze. Men in all white jeorgori shirts, baggy baji pants, and jokki robes rode atop Chinese-dragon-like jujhas, flitting through the halls. Anastasia watched as they flew by, the jujhas’ tails flicking as they slithered serpentine-like through the air.
Moments after their arrival, Nalin arrived. He bowed respectfully and led them down a narrow hallway. “I am shocked by this occurrence.”
Anastasia nodded. “Did Eala speak with you of what happened in Seathium?”
“Briefly.”
They entered a small room, and Anastasia saw a body hidden beneath a sheet. It was uncannily similar to how Ourla had looked; Anastasia shivered.
