Death's Queen (The Complete Series)

by Janeal Falor

  I change into a night gown Inkga brought and hold the doll the girl gave me. Thankfully, she also got my daggers from under my pillow. I’d be fine without them because I have the ones stashed on me, but I like having extras.

  “Thank you, Inkga,” I say.

  “I wish there was more I could do for you, Your Majesty.”

  “You do enough.” My voice is soft, for once—something she taught me.

  I crawl into bed, trying my best to ignore Julina.

  “Goodnight, Your Majesty.”

  “Goodnight, Inkga and Julina.”

  Chapter 28

  Sleep isn’t easy under the supervision of Julina, but there’s more keeping me away. I'm too worried. Too restless.

  I want my idea to work, but I have no way of telling if it will before morning. Finally, in the middle of the night, I get up and exercise. It's familiar and soothing. Julina doesn’t react, though I wonder what she thinks about it.

  When the first rays of morning come, I'm dressed in a pants-and-shirt outfit and immediately leave the room.

  “Is there any news?” I ask the servant waiting in the hall.

  “We have no news yet, but we've all been avoiding that area like the plague.”

  “Good.” Now for it to have worked.

  I head toward my rooms with my guards in tow. On the way there, I find myself pinching my fingers together. I force myself to stop. Tension still ricochets through my body.

  Will Daros have given me something else of Nash's? Will he have responded at all? Maybe he didn't even get my note. There are many outcomes. I shouldn't bother to worry about it until I know, but the thoughts come anyway.

  Jaku is waiting outside my rooms. “I thought you'd be here soon.”

  “Do you ever sleep?” I ask.

  “About as much as you do.”

  I raise an eyebrow.

  “I'm going to check your rooms, and you can proceed if it's safe. Afet, with me.” He goes inside, sword drawn, and Afet follows.

  I force myself to hold still and not give into those tiny tics that want to manifest themselves. The men are gone much longer than I expected, but there's no cry for help. No sounds of fighting.

  I give in and tap my foot on the carpet. It's quiet enough that no one should notice. Still, time passes. I'm getting ready to shout out for them, when Jaku appears in the doorway.

  “It's clear, and there's a note on your pillow.” His face is grim.

  I rush past him, going straight toward my bed. I can tell it's a different note than the one I left. There's no seal on this one. What’s more, there’s a dagger next to it, stabbing deep into the stuffing of my pillow. I ignore it and go for the note. With shaking hands, I open it, and a lock of short brown hair falls into my palm.

  Nash's hair.

  * * *

  This is your only confirmation that we have Nash. If you ask for another, it will be a toe. Now, trade out your Head Advisor.

  * * *

  I swallow against the bile rising in my throat. I should have known Daros would turn this back on Nash. I'll never do that again if it could mean one of his appendages.

  I hand the note to Jaku, but keep the hair tucked tightly in my fist. Is it even his? The color looks right, but it could be just about anyone’s.

  Jaku scowls. “We're moving you.”

  “Why? They could get to any other room as easily.”

  “You don't know that.”

  “Someone entered the palace and reached my rooms without being spotted.” I lower my voice. “There's a traitor in our midst. Someone helping with Nash.”

  It could very well be Jaku himself.

  “I know what you're thinking.” He gives me a look.

  I shrug.

  “It's not me.”

  “Just what anyone would say.”

  “My actions will convince you.”

  A good way to test him would be to say there’s another note on my pillow, have him or me hide under the bed, and have one of us catch whoever is coming to pick up the note. I suggest as much.“You are not hiding under the bed. Not only is it unbefitting a queen, it’s much too dangerous,” he says when I suggest it.

  I want to argue, but there’s no sense in it. “What about you or someone else you trust, who’s highly trained?”

  “I’ll do it myself and speak of the plot to no one else. I’ll make sure word is spread again.”

  “Tonight?”

  He nods.

  “Very well.”

  “Now, what are you going to do?” Jaku asks.

  “I'm going to make Tido Sauver my Head Advisor.” Whoever he is.

  “You're going to give in to their demands?”

  I smile. “I am. It's easy enough to ignore the advice of my Head Advisor and listen to Jem, who will still be around as a lady-in-waiting. And I know him to be a friend of my enemy, so there’ll be lots of chances for me to question him.”

  “Jem won't be around as much as a Head Advisor, though.”

  “It'll be enough. The real question is, why would they want to change my Head Advisor when they know I won't listen to him?”

  Jaku shakes his head. “I don't know.”

  I tap my finger on my lips. “It might make me seem weaker in front of the people—changing things so quickly. I can't think of what else they'd be trying to accomplish. Unless…”

  “Unless what? I don't like that look on your face.”

  I'm not sure I should say it aloud, but if Jaku is trying to help me, he should know my thoughts. If he's not trying to help me, than he'd probably guess them anyway. “They are putting Tido in so when someone kills me, he will reign until there is a new queen. So they’ll have the next ruler under their thumb.”

  Jaku's scowl is fierce. “I don't like the sound of that.”

  “Didn't think you would. But what do you think?”

  “That you're right on target with your guess.” He sheathes his sword. “I wouldn't put it past Daros to do that very thing. It sickens me to think how very evil he is.”

  And I used to be one of them.

  Granted, not by choice, but I was there. Doing Daros's bidding. And I'm still doing it.

  Chapter 29

  “Bring me Tido Sauver.” I am in my sitting room with Stird in the corner and more guards in the hallway and outside the window.

  Inkga curtseys. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  As she leaves the room, I think of how very much I don't want to do this. I don't want another reason for people to go after my life. Though better mine than Nash's, I assume if I'm gone, so will he be.

  I try not to dwell on it. Instead, I ask Stird, “How long have you been a guard?”

  “About fifteen years now.”

  “Have you a family?”

  He nods. “I do. My parents live in Indell. My wife works in the kitchens here, so we're able to see each other frequently.”

  “Do you have any children?”

  “Unfortunately, we haven't been blessed with any.”

  “Siblings?”

  “If you'll forgive me, Your Majesty, I should be focusing on my job. I don't want anything to happen to you on my watch.”

  I wave away his concerns. “It won't. I can take care of myself, and there are guards out there everywhere.” And I want something to distract me from my thoughts. They're far too dark and depressing.

  “I don't have any siblings.”

  “Do you enjoy your work here?”

  “I do.”

  Inkga enters, and Stird's face relaxes. He's relieved not to have to talk to me. I try not to take offense.

  “Tido Sauver, Your Majesty,” Inkga says.

  He enters with a bow and a smile.

  “To what do I owe this honor, Your Highness?” He’s not what I expected. A small man, barely rounded enough to belong in court. His eyes are open and honest—not that I trust them—and his brown hair is longer than is fashionable, reaching his shoulders.

  “I…” Wish I didn't have to name h
im my Head Advisor. He might be the nicest guy around, though he’s either under Daros’s control or vying to control the government after I’m murdered. Either way, I just want Nash back.

  “Yes, Your Majesty?” he prods.

  No more dawdling. “I am appointing you my new Head Advisor.”

  He bows his head, and I can't read his expression. “I would be most honored by the position, Your Highness.”

  Might as well give him busywork. Nash did some of that too, but I actually listened to what he had to say. This man won't receive the same courtesy. “You will arrange for a council meeting, where I will let everyone know of your new appointment,” I say.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Egh. “You don't have to Your Highness and Your Majesty me so much.”

  “But it is my honor, Your—”

  “No,” I snap. “Do not use them so much.”

  “As you request.”

  I grit my teeth.

  When I add nothing further, he says, “I'll go set up that council meeting now.”

  I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

  Once he leaves the room, I give a glance at Stird. “What did you think of him?”

  “I'm not paid to have opinions.” He leaves off an honorific. Finally, someone paying attention.

  “You are, when I ask you to have one.”

  “Very well. He seems eager to please.”

  “My thoughts as well.” And I wonder what he's hiding.

  “I want you to look into him for me—his family, his business, everything about him. I want to know all his secrets.”

  “Consider it done. I’ll start as soon as I’m released from guard duty.”

  “Get someone else to guard me. I want you on this now.”

  He nods, and another guard is brought in to take his place. Hopefully, he’ll have answers about Tido soon.

  Within the hour, I'm sitting before the council, trying not to cringe at what I have to do. It's impossible to avoid. “Thank you all for meeting with me on such short notice. I wanted you to know I'm changing my Head Advisor to Tido Sauver.”

  A few eyebrows are raised, but there are no protests.

  “Forgive me for asking, Your Majesty,” Mina says, “but why are you changing Head Advisors so quickly? You barely appointed Jem. Has she been a problem?”

  “No. She's been fine. I'm moving her back to being one of my ladies-in-waiting.” I debate whether or not I should tell them. It's no secret, but I'm afraid they'll act poorly. Might as well get it over with. Then they'll know how much they want to trust my new Head Advisors for themselves. “I was asked to appoint Tido as my new Head Advisor in order to keep Nash alive.”

  There's a gasp beside me.

  I don't bother glancing at Tido. He’s either faking it or not. A gasp doesn't change that.

  “Do you think it's wise to give into more demands?” Monkia asks.

  “Whether it's wise or not, it's done.” I keep my tone even, though I don't feel it.

  “This is unacceptable,” Kada says. “You can’t go appointing whomever you want to keep one man alive.”

  I have to wonder if Inkga thinks the same way as her mother. “I am the queen, I’ll appoint whomever I want, whenever I want, for whatever reason I want.”

  Silence drips down from the ceiling, covering me in the stares of the shocked council members. It doesn’t last long.

  “Even if you are the queen,” Timit says, “you need to take advice from the council.”

  Hearing such a thought come from Timit surprises me. He’s right. Normally I would listen to them on this, but with Nash’s life on the line and his family counting on me, I can’t.

  “You would be wise to do so,” Sidle adds quietly.

  The rest of my council isn’t so whisper soft. They yell and shout. I hear them, but in the end, I have to go with what I feel is right. I know not to listen to Tido, and I know how to protect my own life. That has to be enough.

  And with every request I give into, it’s less and less likely I'll ever see Nash again.

  Chapter 30

  “The artist is here to paint your picture, my lady,” Jem says as soon as she enters my sitting room.

  I leave with her, my guards in tow. “I can't believe I agreed to this when there's so much else going on.”

  “You need to be remembered.”

  Before I die and they have to do a painting of me then. Of course, then they’d just do one anyway. Inkga has me all dolled up, with a crown on and a fancy cream dress. She says I look fitting for a portrait, but I feel too done up.

  As we walk, I dare myself to ask Jem, “Are you upset at me for letting you go as my Head Advisor?”

  She's silent so long, I don't think she's going to answer. Then— “I know why you did it.”

  “But you don't agree with it?”

  “My job as your Head Advisor is over. I'm now a simple lady-in-waiting.”

  “Who can offer her opinion.”

  “Can I, Your Majesty?”

  “Of course.” Not saying I'll follow it.

  “Then, if you must know, I think your giving into the demands sets a bad precedent. I think you're making foolish choices, not based on what's best for the country.”

  Ouch. “I understand.”

  “We're here.” She points to a room, and I enter.

  There is a painter in one corner, as evidenced by the giant easel beside her and the paintbrush in her hand. In the other corner is a velvet chair. My ladies-in-waiting are scattered throughout the rest of the room. The room’s only window is near the painter.

  Everyone curtseys, and I tell them to rise before I take my seat. Then they all sit, except for the painter who gives me directions. “Turn your head to the left. That's right. And your knees over here. You're sitting up straight—good. Keep that up. I'll work as fast as I can, Your Majesty, but this will take some time and more than one visit.”

  I don't respond. If I did, it would be a biting remark she doesn't deserve. Whoever thought the queens needed to be painted was silly. The First Queen wasn't painted while she was alive.

  Of course, people have forgotten about her.

  Not that I want to be remembered.

  There's so much I could be doing instead of sitting here. Namely, I'd like to be out, looking for Nash. Wilric still has no information for me. The leads are turning up empty. Whatever Daros has planned, he’s keeping Nash well-hidden.

  At least my ladies-in-waiting are here to keep me company. I can strike discussing certain items with them off my list of duties for the day.“We’re glad to have you back with us, Jem,” Inyi says. “As good as your temporary position was, we missed you.”

  Lots of oh yes and very much so come from the other ladies-in-waiting, some sounding more sincere than others.

  Jem smiles as if they all speak from the heart. “Thank you. What news do you have from home, Pina?”

  My youngest lady-in-waiting beams. “My parents are pleased with how much I’ve been helping the queen. They said they can’t wait to hear all the stories I have after I’m released.”

  I hadn’t thought about the honor it would give them to help me. I thought it was just their job. “When will you be released?”

  She makes a tiny O shape with her mouth and looks down. Her response is quiet. “After you are no longer queen, Your Highness.”

  When I’m dead. No wonder the poor girl looks out of sorts. “We’ll hope you’re at the palace, gathering stories for a long time, then.”

  She darts her gaze to me, widening her eyes. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  I wave. “Please, don’t add the honorific. If you’re going to call me anything when we’re together, call me Ryn.”

  “Thank you… Ryn.” My name is so soft, I almost don’t hear it.

  “Your Highness, I must ask that you hold as still as possible,” the painter says.

  I work not to grit my teeth. I hate holding still. At least it gives me a reason to participate less
as the talk turns to fashion. I listen to them chat about it, but I don’t have much to add. I don’t care for the conversation until they start discussing about whether or not they should start dressing like me.

  “It would be a bad idea to move away from tradition,” Lipla says.

  “But it would honor our queen if we dressed like her.” Inyi sneaks me a small smile.

  I grin back, glad someone is on my side.

  “I agree,” Pina adds.

  “Do any of you have beaus?” I ask, to turn the conversation away from me, though it reminds me of Nash. The talk stops dead silent. “What did I say?”

  “Ladies-in-waiting aren’t allowed to court anyone until after they are released from service,” Jem says.

  “Oh.” I think of all they’re giving up. Of Benala, the oldest, who never got the chance to have a family. Of Pina, who’s so young and has her whole life ahead of her, and will be a lady-in-waiting for a long time if I have anything to say about it. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” Freza says. “It’s the way things have always been. The queen can’t touch. Rules for us aren’t that strict, but we’re not to have relations either. We knew that when we went into training to be ladies-in-waiting.”

  That doesn’t mean I have to like it.

  “That cream dress is very becoming, Your—Ryn,” Inyi says.

  I glance down at it. Does she mean it? I wasn’t so sure when I saw it in the mirror—too gaudy—but then, their tastes are different than mine.

  “She’s right,” Freza says. “It brings out the creaminess of your complexion.”

  It is the first time they’ve paid me a compliment. Maybe they do mean it. “Thank you.”

  “Where did you get it?” Suyla asks.

  “I’m not sure. I think my Head Servant, Inkga, designed it.”

  Oohs and aahs sound throughout the room.

  “I didn’t know she had that sort of talent,” Inyi says. “You must tell her how wonderful a job she did.”

  “I will. She’ll be glad to hear it.”