The Queen's Choice

by Cayla Kluver

  “That’s very kind of you, but I’m inclined to decline. I’m willing to walk, and I’d hate to ruin your off-duty time.”

  “I volunteered, remember? Besides, it’s a longer walk from here than you realize, and not the most pleasant one.”

  I bit my lip, wanting to accept, but worried Tom was being a little too kind. What was he after? In the end, I acquiesced, for there were no signs of deception about him.

  “All right, if you insist. Now I really should finish getting dressed.”

  “Not that I don’t appreciate this look,” Tom said with a wave of his hand in my direction, “but you’re probably right.”

  He stepped into the hallway to wait, and I quickly donned thicker leggings and my jerkin, wishing I had something less drab to wear. When I was ready, I joined Tom, and he escorted me through the Home, giving a quick shout to Fi to let her know where we were going. Then he led me outside, where a buggy complete with a driver was parked, allowing my escort to ride with me inside the cab. Although he sat across from me on the bench seats, his proximity nevertheless set my hair on end—out of mistrust, confusion, intrigue, I couldn’t decide—so I concentrated my attention on the sights outside the carriage window.

  “If you don’t mind my asking,” he said after a bit, “how did you and Mary become friends?”

  “Her family helped me after I was injured.”

  “And she just decided to travel with you? Her parents didn’t mind?”

  Ignoring the second part of his question, I answered the first. “She wanted to see more of the world. In Chrior, when we reach the age of fourteen, we’re old enough for a Crossing into the Warckum Territory. It’s a journey we make on our own, and it’s part of what signifies our passage into adulthood. It also gives us an introduction to how you humans live, sort of a cultural awakening. I suppose Shea leaving her family to travel with me is a form of Crossing for her. You might say it’s a personal declaration of independence.”

  He laughed. “You’re careful with your words. If I listen for what you didn’t say, I’d guess her parents weren’t pleased when she left with you. But that’s their business, not mine.”

  I gazed at him with renewed interest. He was intelligent as well as kind. I hadn’t expected that. In my experience, most questions posed by humans were easily evaded. Officer Matlock seemed to catch me at every exit.

  “This Fae Crossing you mentioned,” he continued. “You said you’re eligible when you turn fourteen. How old were you when you went on yours?”

  “Fourteen.”

  “Left on your birthday?”

  “The day after.”

  “Enjoyed your trip immensely?”

  “Certainly did.”

  “And how many times have you crossed since then?”

  “A few.”

  I was grinning, for though Tom had spent relatively little time with me, he seemed to have gauged my nature pretty well.

  Our arrival at the hospital ended our conversation, though I wondered what else he might have asked given the chance. In his gentlemanly way, Tom accompanied me inside for my checkup, then stood outside the door of the examination room while I met with Dr. Nye, who was of the opinion that I was steadily and appropriately healing. He did give me a fresh vial of painkiller, however, along with an admonition to take it slow for a couple more weeks. The former was appreciated, while the latter would be ignored.

  Tom and I didn’t speak much on our return trip to the Fae-mily Home, just a bit of small talk. But as we neared our destination, he became more serious.

  “How long do you expect to stay with Fi?” he asked, his gray eyes studying me.

  “Not much longer. I’m feeling fine, almost completely healed.”

  “That’s good to hear. Are you off to find your cousin, then?”

  “Yes, we have an aunt who is dying, and Illumina needs to return immediately.” Once more I relied on my younger cousin in my explanation, for this was as true of her as it was of Zabriel.

  “Then I can understand your urgency in finding her. Still, the selfish part of me wishes I had a bit more time to figure you out.”

  I didn’t know what to make of this statement, so didn’t respond. Then I chided myself for the possibilities that had sprung into my mind. The most likely explanation was that he was interested in learning more about my people and our way of life.

  The carriage halted in front of the Fae-mily Home, and Tom helped me from the cab, his hesitation revealing a temptation to walk me inside. But it was nearing dinnertime, and I expected he had someplace else to be.

  “I know you’ll be fine, Anya, as you continue your travels,” he said, sounding more like he was assuring himself than me. “But if you do run into trouble, you can get word to me through any Constabulary station. And don’t be afraid to drop my name if you need to open a few doors. I may be young, but as one of Luka Ivanova’s handpicked officers, I’m pretty well-known in the Territory.”

  “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.” I hesitated, chewing on my lower lip. “I probably shouldn’t ask this—I mean, it’s not really any of my business—but do you like working for the Lieutenant Governor?”

  “I’d rather work for him than anyone else.” Tom shrugged. He perused my face, then cleared his throat. “I’d better be on my way, but I’ve really enjoyed our time together. Getting to know someone like you is one of the more pleasant aspects of my position.”

  With a respectful nod, he turned and approached the carriage, leaving me alone and befuddled. I entered the Home, then turned to watch from the window as he gave one of the horses drawing the buggy a scratch and a kiss on the nose before hopping back inside the cab. With a flick of the reins, the driver sent the horses off at a trot, and the carriage disappeared from sight.

  While Tom did have a purpose in seeing me, it now felt more like an excuse than a reason. What, then, could he be after? Concerned that he had muddled my judgment and prevented suspicion from setting in, I tried to clear my head. Then a refreshing idea struck me. What if he’d come all this way just to see me? I couldn’t explain why that notion made me happy, other than that it was flattering to my ego. Still, I couldn’t deny that I wanted Tom to have come here for no reason at all.

  Frustrated with myself, I began to pace in front of the window, trying to temper my feelings with logic. Tom Matlock was a law officer in Tairmor, a career man, a human, and there was no reason for me to believe he had any special interest in me. Even if he did, I was promised to Davic. More than that, I wanted to be promised to Davic, although I didn’t know how our relationship would work out in the long run.

  The log in the fireplace in the corner of the entryway broke, and embers sprayed upward, reminding me of the winter solstice festival in the Great Redwood. I stopped my pacing, resolving to find Shea before Tom’s visit perplexed me any further.

  I turned toward the dining hall just as Fi emerged from a side room with a stack of clean towels that interfered with her vision. She nearly ran into me, the towels almost tumbling from her grasp as I sidestepped her. I caught the one that managed to part from its fellows, and Fi sighed in relief.

  “Oh, thank goodness,” she said, cheeks flushed. “Young reflexes. Actually, I was thinking about you a minute ago, and now here you are. How was your time with Tom? I mean, Officer Matlock. I suppose I should address him rightly no matter how much I see him.”

  “It was fine—very nice, I should say. He seems like a good man. Does he come here often, then?”

  “Once in a while, more than the other Constabularies in the city. He works with the Lieutenant Governor, and since Luka keeps this place on its feet, Tom is bound to wander in and out. He’s kind, dependable. Always asks if I need help before he goes, and won’t leave a job half-done. And he’s rather good-looking, wouldn’t you say?”

  I laughed at
her teasing grin.

  “Come on,” she cajoled. “He’d be a fantastic catch for any young woman.”

  I shrugged and replaced the stray towel atop the stack in her arms.

  “Sometimes people your age don’t know a good thing when they see one,” she said with a significant look, then motioned with her head to the other side of the entry.

  I followed Fi into one of the stockrooms, where staff could fetch various supplies for the residents of the Home. Clean laundry adorned the shelves on one side, and woven baskets of dirty laundry occupied the floor space beneath.

  “I was going to ask about Luka next,” I ventured. “Unless you’re thinking of playing matchmaker with him, as well?”

  “My dear, I think Luka will be a bachelor forever. Every woman in this city has tried for that man. What is it you want to know?”

  “I’m just generally curious. I take it he’s not married. Does he have children?”

  I was feeling a surge of inquisitiveness about Zabriel’s family tree. Did he have human cousins? Or was his uncle the only heir to the family dynasty, making Zabriel highly important on this side of the Bloody Road as well as in Chrior?

  Fi began shelving towels. “Luka isn’t married and never has been, though of course there are always rumors about powerful men. Plenty of women have gone after the prestige of birthing an Ivanova heir and made claims, but unless you put stock in gossip, he doesn’t have children. I believe that. Anything else wouldn’t be in keeping with the honorable man I know him to be. Besides, if the Governor had a grandchild, legitimate or not, he wouldn’t leave the child unacknowledged. William’s death devastated his legacy.”

  I nodded, struck by Fi’s loyalty to the Governor’s son. Not having much experience with him, I didn’t know if this was a good thing or a potentially perilous one.

  “I wish there was a human heir in the Territory,” I mused, and her eyebrows bounced in agreement, her thoughts tracking mine to Zabriel. “By the way,” I went on, diverging from the topic, “have you seen Shea?”

  “She left before you and Tom.” Fi brushed past me to wave an old couple through the front door. “She said to tell you not to look for her until evening, which I guess is about now. Oh, and she said not to worry.”

  Shock rippled through me, crawling down my arms in vinelike tendrils. “Did she say where she was going?”

  “Yes. She said she used to live in Tairmor and was going home.” Fi patted my hand, recognizing the anxiety on my face. “She’ll be back, really. She’s human, after all, and surely she knows the city.”

  I forced a smile. “Yes, of course she’ll be back. I’m just...on edge.”

  Fi accepted this and headed off toward the kitchen. I returned to the room where Shea and I had been sleeping, a steady stream of curse words running through my head. Knowing my friend had gone “home” did me no good whatsoever—she’d never told me where her family had lived, and looking for her in the enormous capital would be futile. I tugged on my long hair in frustration; there were so many things that could have happened to her.

  Needing a distraction, I sat on my bunk, took the Anlace from its sheath, and ran a rag over its already gleaming length. But my mind refused to quiet. It wasn’t just the Constabularies who posed a risk to Shea. As I had discovered, street people and criminal types roamed the poorer areas of the city. But the worst thought was that she could be in custody right now, kneeling in front of Governor Ivanova, and I had no ability to help her.

  I cleaned the Anlace more vigorously, shining the pommel and the bright ruby that stared out from it, its beautification offering no assistance despite whatever royal mysteries it contained. Shea had warned me to be home before dark when I had ventured out to search for Evangeline, threatening the formation of a search party if I failed to follow her advice; she certainly would have heeded that advice herself. Yet pink streaks were quickly spreading across the sky, announcing the setting of the sun. What would I do if Shea never came back? How would I find out what happened to her? And how long could I afford to wait before moving on without her?

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  THE PLANK

  When the dinner hour arrived without Shea’s return, I headed to the main hall. The frequent meals I was skipping were starting to show in my weight and in my stamina, forcing me to pay momentary attention to my health. I scrounged up a tray and dutifully stood in line, then found a secluded corner in which to poke at my food. This day had become impossibly long and dreary, and I wished I had risen with Shea and either prevented her from leaving or gone along with her.

  The bang of a tray on the table jolted me to reality, and my head jerked up. Shea was standing across from me, hair windswept and cheeks rosy.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” she said, plopping herself down in a chair as if nothing was wrong. “You were still sleeping this morning and I didn’t want to bother you. How are you feeling?”

  I gaped at her, then clenched my teeth, trying to rein in my temper.

  “How am I feeling? I’m feeling like you need to explain why four days ago Tairmor was too dangerous for you, but today you’re suddenly safe on the streets.”

  “Look, I know it wasn’t smart,” she said, holding up her fork and knife in surrender. “But I had to see my home again. I had the impulse and the opportunity and just had to do it. I mean, I’m here for the first time in years. If it helps, I thought I would be back before you were awake—those herbs put you into a pretty heavy slumber.” Looking a bit guilty, she added, “I didn’t talk to anyone other than the officers who stopped me to check my papers. But they passed scrutiny, so no harm done.”

  It was clear she’d thought about how best to explain her actions, which made me leery of her story. But her almond eyes were innocently wide, and her complexion, honeyed from our travels, was free of telltale pink. I examined her, starting to feel that I was being too hard on her. Then my eyes landed on the shoulder of her cloak, where a ragged tear revealed the navy of the coat she wore beneath.

  Pointing to the spot, I asked, “How did that happen?”

  She flung the cloak over her shoulders to hide the evidence that her outing had not been as smooth as she wanted me to believe.

  “It’s nothing. Caught it on a fence is all.”

  “And you couldn’t stop to unhook it? You were running from something, weren’t you?”

  “I said it’s nothing.” She crossed her forearms on the surface of the table, a rubescent glow at last reaching her cheeks.

  My face, in turn, lost its color. I’d been right to worry—she might have gotten away from whatever danger had pursued her, but that was probably nothing more than a fortunate fluke.

  “You got lucky,” I sputtered, deciding not to pursue the issue further. She was back safe and sound. Sensing she was eager to talk about the day, I asked, “How was the old homestead?”

  “Still there. It’s just as I remember it, this little place on the northeast side, crammed up with the neighbors’ houses. It sits on a slope, so the whole house seems to lean a little. It drove my father insane because he couldn’t fix it, no matter how good a carpenter he was.”

  Shadows crossed her face, and she paused in her tale.

  “What is it, Shea?” I prompted, reaching for her hand. “What’s bothering you?”

  “Everything’s exactly like it was; only it isn’t, because another family has moved in.” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “I don’t know what I expected, honestly. It was stupid of me to think the government wouldn’t take our house in partial settlement on my father’s debt. I can’t believe I let it get to me, but seeing another mother and father with their children was crushing.” She paused and recaptured the stray hairs that had escaped her ponytail. “The house isn’t ours anymore.”

  I’d been trying to make her feel bad since she
’d joined me, but now it was clear she’d been feeling awful already. Remorse filled my stomach, mixing horribly with my food, and I pushed my plate aside.

  “Humans don’t know this the way my people do, but trees and just about everything in the natural world have spirits and feelings and memories. There may be new people living in your house, but the wood of the walls and floors remembers you and your family. You’ll always belong there.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “Believe it? I used to listen to Nature speaking. I know it’s true.”

  Shea smiled a little at this thought. I didn’t know for certain that deadwood, which the humans used to construct their buildings, had the same capacity for memory as did living trees, but she needed to believe it right now.

  Gratefulness flickered in Shea’s eyes, and her mood appeared to lighten. But the moment was short-lived.

  “There’s more I need to tell you, Anya.” She fidgeted, ultimately folding her hands on the tabletop in front of her. “It’s been bothering me for a while now, and I think today just made it worse. Should I have left my family? Maybe it was selfish of me. My mother’s probably been forced to do most of the cooking, cleaning, and laundry since I left. Maggie and Marissa aren’t really old enough to help much with those things. And I doubt anyone’s been reading to my sisters and tucking them into bed like I did. I never talked to my sisters about helping around the house before I left. Never helped them to see what needed doing. I never even explained to Maggie and Marissa where I was going or why I was abandoning them.”

  Her use of the word abandoned rang in my head. I’d abandoned Davic, my father, Ubiqua, Ione, everyone when I’d taken off. Davic was the only one who’d gotten a goodbye.

  “You have the right to live your own life, Shea,” I soothed, able to believe it for her but not for me. Not when my loved ones were expecting me to return and I never would. “You forget there was a time before you were old enough to help around the house, a time when your mother and father managed without you. And Maggie and Marissa are of more help than you want to admit right now. I’m sure everything’s fine with your family. In Chrior, we have a saying, wisdom handed down by the Old Fae—‘the moon rises as the sun sets, so there is always light in the world.’ It means there’s always hope. That there’s something good in everything that happens.”