by M. D. Laird
“There must be guards in the dungeon?”
“Yes. That will be the difficulty. Though initially I can get to the dungeon entrance and observe them. Would I know the Crown if I saw them?”
“You’re supposed to know them though it largely depends on whether they have manifested magic yet or not. If the Crown is not available for them to take, then they may not have. Your father probably used dark alchemists to find them—I would not be surprised to learn that your family has kept every Crown prisoner since they overthrew them.”
“Would you have sensed them when we were in the dungeon?”
“I didn’t sense anyone, but we were surrounded by guards, and I was a little preoccupied with trying to figure out how to get you out of there without breaching my decree.”
“I will have a look around and see what I can learn,” she said eagerly.
“When will you go? Tonight?”
“I will go when the queen visits my father. His guards will be distracted by their foreign enemy and her twenty-four angel and demon guards, and I will have a better chance of remaining unseen.”
“You’re good at this. You may survive your revolution after all.”
Eve had been relaxing on her bed and reading with the balcony doors open when she heard the prince talking to the princess on the balcony next door. She had listened as he complimented her painting before speaking of her revolution. They had then disappeared into the room to talk without being overheard. Eve did not try to eavesdrop through the wall—she was in their home and wanted to respect their right to a private conversation. Privacy was a luxury rarely afforded Eve with her constant guard. She had grown accustomed to the fact that even her most intimate moments were overheard to some extent, though it was never a thought she was comfortable with.
For that reason, she did not try to listen in on the couple next door though she felt whatever they were discussing was likely to be important and she should probably know what it was. She ignored the thought.
Ignorance is bliss or so they say.
Instead, she focussed on her afternoon with the princess. Eleanor was not how she expected her to be. Gone was the anxious and miserable girl who had been forced into marriage and in her place was a happy and confident woman.
When Thomas had told Eve that the princess had consented to him, she had presumed that he had pestered her until she had relented. She did not expect to find that the princess had fallen for the prince. She was shocked when she saw the adoring looks Eleanor gave him over breakfast and the whispers and smiles they exchanged when they thought no one was watching.
During their vector ride throughout Axandria, Eleanor spoke fondly of Thomas. She was actually happy with him and did not even seem to mind that the prince did not care about her at all. Okay, so perhaps that was not entirely accurate. The prince could never love her or care deeply about her, but he clearly regarded her well and enjoyed her company. Was that enough for Eleanor? It certainly seemed to be for now though she suspected that she would want more. Or would she?
Eve tried to piece together the remnants and scraps of information she had heard of the princess’ life. Her father was a cruel man who had not treated her well, and she was not treated well by her siblings. Perhaps the prince had shown her the only kindness she had ever known, and that’s why she had fallen for him.
She’d had a lover. James, wasn’t it?
The princess had spoken of him when Eve had recorded their conversation after they arrived in Arkazatinia.
What has become of him?
Eve sighed. Perhaps she was overthinking things. Perhaps she was looking for reasons why their relationship should not work because she was jealous. She was jealous. She was jealous that they got along so easily. Their relationship was so simple. They accepted each other for what they were. Eleanor accepted that the prince was a demon and had limits to his emotions. She didn’t force it or fight it as Eve had done with Calab. Thomas could not care deeply for Eleanor, but he did like her. He simply enjoyed spending time with her, so he did. There were no hidden meanings or treading on egg shells afraid they’ll each say the wrong thing. They just got along. Sometimes they snapped and growled at each other and moments later all was well. They did not spend weeks or months apart thinking of excuses to see the other without looking like they wanted to see them.
Eve lay back on the pillow. When she thought of the whole drama with Calab, she could see the ridiculousness of it. Had a friend told her of this relationship she would have advised them that it was unhealthy and they should get out of it. But she couldn’t. For all his faults, she did love Calab very much, and he was not having an easy time.
Eve had not seen him since he entered her room several weeks ago. He had telephoned her on her guard’s vox the next day to ask why she had not called in the library like she said she would, and she had told him she did not think it was necessary as he had already called on her the night before. Calab became upset and had hung up on her. Racked with guilt, she had tried to call him back, but he would not accept her call, and he refused to answer the door when she had called at his house. He had also not turned up to the CRM held the day before she left for Axandria.
She thought spending a few weeks in Axandria would give them both a break and had written him a note to advise him that she would be away until the next CRM. He had not sent a reply. He had, of course, been in contact with Thalia, and over yet another dinner to console Thalia about their failed project, she advised Eve that Calab was as upset with himself as he was with her. He had said that he wanted to stay away from her for a while because he could not think when he was around her. Eve couldn’t help but feel offended that she had to hear that from Thalia though she also could not help feeling relieved. She felt guilty, but—though she loved Calab—she did not want to be around him as he was.
She did not want to spend another supper trying to make conversation with him or another evening with him pressuring her into his bed. She hated herself for thinking of him this way, but she was finding him draining and was glad to be several thousand miles away from him. She was breaking her promises to be there for him whenever he needed her, but she could not be with him how he wanted her. She could not let him use her and discard her as he felt like it. She had to protect herself and protect her own sanity and so, for her own sake, she was pulling away from him. She ignored the voice that told her she was selfish and instead focussed on the task ahead.
She had to meet with the king of Axandria—that would be no easy feat. She had two members of her quorum with her and thought the time away might give them the opportunity to discuss the problems she was having with her democracy and arrive at some resolutions or perhaps she could sow a few more seeds of change. Whatever she did with her time in Axandria, she intended to spend as little of it as possible focusing on Calab. So far she had done a poor job of that intention.
She looked at the time—it was almost supper. She sat up and marked the page of the book she had been staring at but not reading for the last half an hour since the prince had returned. Rising from her bed, she freshened up and made her way to the parlour to meet her hosts, Jacob, Tharazan and Verrine Prince Nathaniel for supper.
The party had enjoyed their supper. Nathaniel was in his usual good form and had kept them entertained—often at Thomas’ expense. After supper, Thomas asked to meet with the queen in his office. She obliged, and they sat at his desk and shared a jug of wine.
“I have a few things I need to tell you about the king, Your Majesty,” he said. “Though I am concerned that I may breach my decree by telling you this.”
“Is it what you were talking to the princess about? I overheard your conversation until you went inside.”
“No...no, it’s not that. You’re better off not knowing what we were talking about.” He winked at her to give the impression that they were not talking about anything and merely engaging in intimacy. He doubted she believed him, but she blushed anyway.
“What is it then?” she asked, recovering herself.
“I am concerned that what I may tell you may lead you to declare war on Axandria and I will have caused a war against my own country.”
“Why would I declare war against Axandria?”
“Because the king is a threat to you.”
“I thought he wanted an allegiance?”
“He wants you close to him so he can use you.”
“For what?”
Thomas sighed. “I don’t know.”
The queen looked confused. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
“It’s just a feeling,” he said. “He is using the princess and me to get to you.”
“How?”
“He offered her to me as payment for targeting you.”
“I already know that.”
“But there is more to his plan. He has learned of the princess’ affair with her former educator’s son. He claims he found out after we were married though we have heard that he knew before. I believe that instead of executing her he wanted to use the unchaste daughter, who he could not marry to a lord, to get to you. Since he has married her to me, he has tormented her. He sent the man he used to punish her all of her life to check on her welfare and then had the same man execute her lover in front of her when he invited us over for supper. He is using the opportunity to try and punish his daughter whilst getting me to get to you at the same time.”
The queen bit her lip. “I understand that he is a cruel man and a terrible father, but I don’t really understand how the king taking this action is an attempt to get to me, which suggests that either you are overthinking the situation or there is something you are not telling me.”
“Like I said, it is a feeling. I feel he has a plan for you.”
“Thomas, just tell me what it is.”
“I have.”
“You haven’t. You can’t have been afraid that I would declare war based on what you have just told me. There must be more, what is it?”
“That is all of it.”
She sighed. “Fine,” she said, sipping her wine.
Thomas leant back in his seat. “Are you still reading the Michælis?”
“Yes. I’m getting through it slowly.”
“Lord Tharazan mentioned something earlier which may interest you.”
“What is that?”
“He said that the decree allows demons and angels the freedom to maintain the natural order—the natural rule of the Crown—and does not permit us to initiate or promote an alternative rule.”
“Yes, I am aware of that.”
“Which means if you change your Crown back to the natural order you will meet no resistance from the demons and angels. They may not be happy, but they can do nothing about it.”
Her eyes widened. “I had not considered that,” she said. “Though I would still have the thorian, fae and witches to deal with.”
“Of course,” he said. “But you have allies, however reluctant, in your quest for dictatorship.”
She cringed. “I’m not on a quest for dictatorship,” she said. “I do care about what everyone thinks I just think I have done a bad job in ensuring that is recognised. I should have just made some adjustments—perhaps even the things they had suggested would have been enough—instead, I went too far in trying to keep everyone happy. It is a shame you are not an Arkazatine prince, Thomas, I could use your wisdom.”
“My wisdom?” he scoffed. “I don’t even know my own rule book—I have to be told about it by a thorian.”
“But you see the importance in returning to the natural rule.”
“Trust me, Your Majesty. If I were one of your princes, you would have just as much trouble with me. I am as selfish and as greedy as any demon, and it is only because I have no power in Axandria that I am able to be objective.”
“Still, it is appreciated.”
Calab left Thalia’s quarters in a huff. After slamming the door so hard he broke it from its hinges, he refrained from midspacing, instead preferring to storm down the corridors towards the exit of the Guild of Procnatus slamming every door along the way. He was annoyed with Thalia. He was annoyed with himself, and he was furious with Genevieve. She had just deserted him and disappeared to Axandria to stay with Prince Thomas taking Lord Tharazan with her.
Calab growled. He was starting to hate Tharazan. He saw the way he looked at Genevieve, and now Genevieve was going to be with him for weeks. He would have her to himself and Genevieve would never want Calab if she could have Tharazan.
Calab left the guild and was about to enter his vector when he spotted Barakel’s kitchen girl approaching the guild’s entrance. Calab straightened up, softened his scowl and approached her.
“Hello, Calia,” he said, smiling.
She looked surprised that he was speaking to her and that he knew her name. “Good afternoon, Mr Hallward,” she replied.
“Has Barakel accompanied the queen to Axandria?”
“He has, sir.”
“I expect you’ll miss him?”
“Well, he isn’t gone for long, but yes, I suppose I shall.” She appeared bewildered. “Erm… Are you missing Her Majesty?”
“Yes, of course,” said Calab. “If you’re not too busy perhaps we could dine together this evening.”
Her eyes widened. “I…I’m not sure if that is appropriate, Mr Hallward.”
“Call me Calab. And why not?”
“Well you’re betrothed to Her Majesty, it’s not appropriate for me to dine with you.”
“I’m not marrying the queen.”
“You’re not?”
“No.”
“Oh…well, I’m sorry to hear that. I thought you made a lovely match.”
“So, how about supper?”
“I…I don’t think it is a good idea. I’m very fond of Barakel, and it wouldn’t be right.”
“He doesn’t need to know. It’s just supper.”
“No. I’m sorry, Mr Hallward,” she said and started to walk away.
“Is it because I am no longer a prince?”
“Of course not,” she replied. “I am just happy with my life as it is. Good day, Mr Hallward.” She walked away quickly and entered the guild.
Calab scowled again and climbed on board the vector. He dropped his head into his hands.
What am I doing? Why did I do that?
He sat back in his seat. He was angry with Genevieve and had just argued with Thalia. He raged at himself. Thalia was right—he had no reason to be mad at Genevieve, and she had every reason to be mad at him.
I have destroyed our relationship. She wants nothing to do with me now.
“For the sword outweighs its sheath,
And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
And love itself have rest.”
He cursed his mind for quoting Byron at him. He needed to think. He needed to put his thoughts in order.
She only tried to see me because she felt guilty, she didn’t actually want to see me.
She didn’t even try to resolve things with him and instead she took off to Axandria to get further away from him.
I have finally driven her away. I have driven her into the arms of Tharazan.
He chided himself and told himself he was being ridiculous. Just because he was happy to jump into bed with someone else didn’t mean that Genevieve would.
Why wouldn’t she? She involved herself with that guardian boy quickly enough!
Calab slammed the home button on his vector. He intended to write to Genevieve and began to form the content of the letter on his way home.
Dear Genevieve,
I apologise for not taking your call or seeing you when you called at my home. I have been thinking a great deal about our relationship and could not do that with you present. After a great deal of thought, I have decided to withdraw my offer of marriage to yo
u, and I wish to end the relationship between us. We may, if you wish, still be friends, though I would prefer to maintain a professional relationship and I see no need for us to spend time together outside of the library affairs. I have drafted my resignation from my advisory role, though I shall stay on as co-general to your guards. We shall barely have to see each other, and that will make things easier.
I know that this is not the most convenient time to burden you with this whilst you are in Axandria; however, once I had made the decision I felt relief and felt it was unfair to delay telling you.
It is not my intention to upset you, and I hope that I haven’t by telling you this, but it is for the best. Our relationship is unhappy, and I am sure our feelings for each other are just as a result of circumstance and are not true. I think our feelings served to help you fulfil the prophecy and are no longer necessary, which is why we do not work together.
I wish you all the best for the future, and I hope you do find happiness.
Ex Animo
Calab
Eve cried as she read Calab’s letter. She did not know what to make of it. On the one hand, the tone seemed rushed as though he had made the decision impulsively, perhaps in response to his temper, but on the other, it seemed cold and business-like. He was getting straight to the point and laying out exactly what he thought and leaving no room to argue.
She wished she wasn’t in Axandria. She wished she had persevered in trying to speak to him. She summoned one of her guards and borrowed their vox. She became tearful once more when he refused the call.
She lay on her bed.
I want to go home. I should have been more patient. I was glad to be away from him—this is my fault. I’ve made him think I don’t want him.
Dear Calab,
I really do not know how to respond to your letter. There are so many things I want to say, but you told me you are relieved to have made the decision so I feel like I should not say them.
