by Cheryl Oblon
“Mother sent me. She wanted to speak to you today, but Minn is being a beast. I’m not supposed to say that. But it’s true. She wants all of the attention. Mother wants you to sit with the Bachal prince tonight. Keep him entertained and see what you can get from him. She said yesterday they made it clear it would be a hard battle. They want our supplies but didn’t offer anything?” LeFawn asked.
“Pretty much, but I have nothing to compare that to. Maybe they always take a very aggressive opening stance in negotiations.” I refused to let others worry. LeFawn and I were the same age, but she would only rule if something happened to Minnette. LeFawn had a very leisurely life.
“If you get any visions or see how things will unfold, please let Mother know. It might help her pick a direction for how to trend in negotiations. But you try to enjoy tonight, too. That’s from me. I can’t wait to dance and have fun. Minn can have all the attention.” LeFawn rolled her eyes but didn’t mean it. She didn’t want the responsibility, but she wanted the focus.
“You enjoy tonight as well. I’m sure we’ll get a chance to talk for a bit.”
“You should come to the dining hall for lunch,” LeFawn said.
Julianne walked in the room. “I don’t think we should just yet. The queen hasn’t made it clear how freely Kimess may wander about the castle. That might be noticed.”
“She’s right. And we have Ember to get ready, and I’ve not even started preparing,” I said.
There was a knock on the door, then it opened. Marel held the door for the servant droid as she laid out the food. Ember ran to her mother and babbled about the jewelry.
“Then I should go. See you later.” LeFawn gave me a quick hug and dodged the family scene.
Ember sat at the table. “The princess is so pretty!”
“Yes, but being pretty isn’t important,” I said.
“You’re pretty,” Ember replied.
“Thank you, but being smart and kind is better.” I noticed Marel had borrowed some lovely pearls from her mother. Saying she would and actually having done it were different…Marel drawing attention to herself showed progress to me.
“You’re those things, too.” Ember ate like a proper young lady.
“Thank you. You make sure you’re doing your schoolwork here so you don’t fall behind,” I said.
“Mother makes me.” Ember sighed.
“Good. Study hard,” Marel said as she handed me a slip of paper.
What could be so important that it couldn’t wait? I glanced at the paper and dipped into Marel’s mind. Coordinates to Simma’s house. I nodded to her and tucked the paper away, returning to the conversation at hand.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to be seer,” Ember said.
Julianne stared in surprise at her daughter. “Why would you want to be?”
“You stay at court a lot. You’re important, and people know who you are,” Ember said.
“You can do that by being a doctor or working with the court to make sure all of the people’s needs are met,” Marel said.
“It’d be more fun to be the ruler. Or the queen,” Ember said.
“It would not. Now, eat your lunch and stop daydreaming,” Julianne scolded.
We ate quietly, and I realized how envied I was by some. No doubt others feared me and my closeness to the queen. My great aunt’s insanity. My father rumored to be a traitor. My mother’s questionable death.
“Are you okay?” Marel asked.
I nodded. “I might need a nap before the ball. It’ll be a long night, and I have a lot of people I need to speak with.”
“Eat lunch, then you can rest. Everyone’s pulling at you, and the pressure isn’t easy.” Marel waited until I started eating.
My stomach knotted up, but I ate anyway. People were watching me, not just the queen and people high up, but lower people. There were tons of girls like Ember who wanted to be me. Wanted what they saw as power and prestige. Maybe, one day I’d earn some amount of influence or trust, but the pressure from all sides made me want to run.
I had to change the subject.
“Julianne, why don’t you send word to the estate? Have them deliver enough of our finest wine for tonight as a gift.” A small vineyard had been part of our estate since it was settled. Sales were always good, and it was one of the few things Bachal paid top dollar for in trade without argument.
Julianne nodded. “Of course, that’s very nice.”
“Can I try some?” Ember asked.
“You know you’re too young,” her mother replied.
With the subject effectively changed and an appropriate engagement gift planned, I wanted my mind to calm down. Getting what I wanted seemed quite impossible lately.
Chapter 16
While Marel checked on the wine delivery, I strolled through the grand ballroom as finishing touches were put on the decorations. The attitude toward me had shifted, at least for the guards and servants. No one stopped me at any doors, but if I tried to see the queen without being summoned, I’d be sent away. Or if I tried to leave the castle grounds, I’d be brought back.
A huge tapestry had been hung behind the head table. A lovely woven map of the Bachal and Lazrel nations. We’d had peace for so long, I couldn’t stand the idea of war, but that’s what it felt like they wanted. They didn’t like talking. They didn’t like listening. They wanted to conquer and have it all.
But could they?
I hadn’t had a vision of the future since my mother’s death. I got flashes of things but not a full vision of anything. It was odd, but considering all of the other stress, I could be suppressing some of my powers. I walked up to the tapestry and held the edge to see if I got a vision.
My inner eye didn’t take over, but I did see a very intense and very real romance scene. Remmy and Faldar were frantically kissing. I turned and headed away. Luckily, they hadn’t seen me. But I didn’t feel Nemal come up behind me and bumped into him.
“You okay?” he asked as he steadied me.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I was distracted. Remmy needs to be careful.” I glanced back at the tapestry.
“Meaning?” he replied.
“I don’t want him to get too close to the Bachal. The princes seem nice, but the king…Remmy is good with diplomacy, but I don’t know if that’s what they want this time. He might be too close.” I looked Nemal dead in the eye.
Nemal’s brow furrowed, then his gaze went beyond me. “Too close to a certain Bachal prince?” he asked softly.
I nodded and projected my thoughts. I don’t think he’s dangerous, but the Bachal don’t tolerate homosexuality well. Remmy hasn’t told anyone that I know of, but we know he’s safe here. I don’t want to get Faldar in trouble with the king.
“That was weird,” he said.
I smiled. “But necessary.”
“You are damned powerful,” he said.
Remmy walked up. “What? Everyone knows Kimess is the most powerful Royal Seer in history. Hopefully the negotiations go quickly, and you’ll be formally appointed with all the pomp.”
I almost said I’d rather have my mother’s funeral and let her be honored first but held my tongue. Dragging down the moods and seeking out sympathy would only erode any authority or appearance of it that I was fostering.
“Thank you. I’m not sure I’m much help to your mother, yet.” I spotted Faldar slipping out the other side of the tapestry.
Nemal saw it as well.
“I’m sure you will. But we’ve had peace for centuries between the two nations. It’s always tense, but they come to an agreement in the end. I’m going to check on Minn.” Remmy smiled.
I sensed his happiness and all of the swirling emotions that went with love. Young love that fast, infatuation? Could it be a ploy to get Remmy to share too much information?
Remmy left, and I frowned at Nemal.
“He’s happy, but you’re not,” Nemal said.
I fo
lded my arms. “I never used to be this suspicious and paranoid. Minnette was the only person I had to watch out for. Even with the divorce, it was just the usual immature teasing. Now I see betrayal and plots everywhere. Even my own family.”
“You think Faldar is romancing Remmy to get him to let his guard down? To talk?” Nemal asked.
I shrugged. “Didn’t it cross your mind?”
“I don’t think you realize how frowned on that behavior is with the Bachal. The king would never allow that. Faldar would’ve gone after LeFawn or you. Minnette would be too obvious.” Nemal surveyed the room. “Security is watching them all, of course.”
I was relieved. In odd moments, it felt like the whole deal was on my shoulders, but I was new. Soon, I’d learn what my areas were and what to really worry about.
“Have you warned Remmy?” I asked.
He shook his head. “He’s not talking about that yet. Royal circles. Minn isn’t exactly progressive unless it’s her marrying some commoner.”
“Commoner? Does Prince Nemal have a royal bride picked out already?” I turned and teased him.
He looked at the floor as his cheeks turned red. “No one for me. And I didn’t mean commoner that way. She doesn’t love this guy. He’s good for her image. Pacifying the people.”
I asked, “So if she loved him, it’d be different?”
“Of course it would. I’m not an elitist. I’m just a prince out of any line of succession. Minn…”
“Has the pressure of a future ruler weighing on her every life decision.” I couldn’t believe I was sympathizing with her. “I know we’ve never gotten along, but I wouldn’t trade places with her for anything.”
Nemal took a deep breath. “You should speak to Remmy about his feelings. He can’t lie to you, and he likes you. The right approach to an uncomfortable topic can make all the difference in the outcome. He’ll listen to you.”
I nodded. “But you don’t think Faldar is faking.”
“Do you? You’re sitting by him tonight. Feel it out,” Nemal said.
The ball kicked off with everyone seated. Remmy reached out and created a giant, floor-to-ceiling heart with his ice casting powers. LeFawn stood beside her brother, throwing fire to carve the bride’s and groom’s names into the heart.
Applause went up from the filled room. It could’ve been done ahead of time, but the Bachal watched the display carefully. The queen was showing off Lazrel magical powers.
“Now the Royal Seer will move the sculpture to the wall so it’s not in the way,” the queen said.
I stood and gave a slight bow to the queen. Lifting one hand, I mentally braced the sculpture. Then, the other hand covered the base in my mind. Gently, I pushed both, and the sculpture slid slowly. I didn’t want to ram it into the wall.
The ice wobbled, but I stopped just right. Applause rang out, and I sat. Faldar was impressed, and I felt him taking in the powers. The wedding announcement was made, and I stared at the groom. He was good-looking and well spoken, but he kept shooting looks at me.
As they brought out the wine, I was served first. I reached for the glass, and a vision of death hit me. I shoved the glass over and it spilled on the floor. “Don’t drink it. Someone tampered with my barrels.”
“Test it and see who had access,” the queen commanded.
“You did this on purpose,” Minnette said.
I glanced at her fiancé. “No, I didn’t. But someone wanted to kill off royalty.”
“Are you accusing me?” the groom-to-be asked.
I walked over and put my hand on his. A flash of him dumping a powder into the barrels and having his men mix it in played in my mind. “You used a blue powder, and two men mixed it thoroughly. You want all of the royals dead.”
“That’s not true. You’re making this up,” Minnette snapped.
The Bachal royals knocked their wine glasses on the floor but seemed amused.
“The wine was under surveillance. We’ll check the holographic record,” Marel said.
As the head of the Queen’s Guard approached him, the groom-to-be took off running. I mentally reached out and knocked him down, then held him to the floor by his throat.
“Let me go!” he shouted.
“The innocent don’t run. Take him away,” the queen said.
Minnette sat, humiliated.
I dipped into Minnette’s mind. You could’ve embarrassed me in private instead of public. The thoughts were directed at me. Minnette was upset and not thinking clearly. It was hard to read minds so muddled with emotional nonsense. Out loud, Minnette said, “Mother, how could you?”
“I asked Kimess to check that he was genuine. The point of a Royal Seer is to see beneath the surface and avoid bad commitments. I told you to let Kimess speak to him in private, and you delayed.” The queen retained her controlled air.
“I don’t need her approval,” Minnette said.
I held my tongue when I wanted to scream that they could send me home. If they didn’t want my help, let me live in peace. I didn’t have any experience in diplomacy, and while I could learn, if Minnette would send me away—what was the point?
“You need to go to your chambers and turn over any gifts he’s given you to the Queen’s Guard. Then you can rest. I’m sure you’re quite heartbroken.” The queen dismissed her daughter.
Minnette walked away with as much dignity as she could muster. LeFawn, being a good little sister, followed. The uncertainty was universal. No one knew what to do now.
“I should’ve commanded her to let you interview him. She is stubborn,” the queen said to me.
I moved to stand near Minnette’s seat next to the queen. “It’s our fault. Minnette and I never got along, and I haven’t made an effort since I’ve been here.”
“You lost your mother. Your father is in the dungeons. She should’ve made an effort and showed you some sympathy.” The queen stood. “I’m sorry the engagement is off. The party, however, will go on.”
I tried to subtly go back to my seat, but she held my arm.
“We are now celebrating the official installation of Lady Kimess as the Royal Seer.” The queen snapped her fingers.
An attendant rushed forward with a box.
“Her mother died very recently, and we were unable to have the proper ceremony before our guests arrived.” She opened the box and it was a simple tiara with a large teardrop shaped of purple amber.
I stared at the crowd. Marel waved at me and gestured for me to stand up straight. Slowly, I turned to fully face the queen.
“Do you accept the responsibilities of being my Royal Seer and devoting your considerable powers and talents to your people?” the queen asked.
I bowed my head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The simple tiara felt familiar. I’d held it so many times as a child and even wore it when playing dress up. It felt much heavier now. The applause seemed like a dream. I returned to my seat. This was hardly the normal protocol, but what else was there to do?
“We’ll postpone dinner while it is all tested. Who knows what that fool did to the food? Until then, please dance.” The queen nodded.
Remmy extended a hand to me.
I twirled around the dance floor with him.
“I guess your neck is safe now.” He smiled.
“Powerful magic and a tiara don’t hurt, but there are no guarantees. I serve at the pleasure of the queen. Today, I was just a distraction. Minnette worries too much about the look of things. She wants to be feared and adored. You can’t be both.” The queen might keep me around until I was no longer needed.
“You seem to be both,” he said.
“You and Faldar are much more interesting than my boring story.” I flashed him a knowing look.
He blushed. “It’s not that serious. There is no hiding from you.”
“How can it possibly work?” I asked.
Remmy shrugged. “I’m not thinking about the future. How
often do you meet someone like you but so different? I can’t resist him.”
“But he’ll be king one day. Good relations with the Bachal are important, but I don’t want you to get hurt. They aren’t as accepting as we are.”
“Find a guy here. No doubt a message from my mother.” He smiled.
“No, I don’t know if she knows about you two. I don’t want you to get hurt,” I said.
Remmy guided me off the dance floor. “You shouldn’t worry about me. Or Minn or anyone. All you need to think about is the Bachal negotiations. You’ve been through so much.”
“Your mother did ask me to find you a match. A nice girl. You really need to talk to her,” I said with a laugh.
“Now is not the time.” He looked at the king and his brother.
“Agreed.” I searched the room and spotted Marel dancing with a guard.
“You’re helping Marel,” Remmy said.
“She’s helping me a lot more. But I would appreciate it if you’d dance with her, make sure she gets plenty of attention,” I said.
“I’m on her dance card. I think you’ll have a long line of admirers. Congratulations.” Remmy nodded in a slight bow.
My status had shot up with a few words from the queen.
A stranger walked up. Not from the Bachal but no one I’d met.
“Congratulations. May I beg a dance with the Royal Seer?” he asked.
Could I say no? I groped for an excuse, but the dancing had just started. I longed for Nemal to swoop in and save me.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” I asked.
“Wardlow of the third family. I was one of the healers called to heal your mother, and I did my best. I’m so sorry.” He held out his hand.
I could claim Nemal or Faldar had this dance already. Curiosity won. I took his hand.
“Thank you for trying to save her. Was it too many sleeping herbs or murder?” I asked.
“Direct. I like that. Your father said you had the royal demeanor.” He smirked.
“And now, I have the tiara to match. You know my father?” I didn’t trust him at all now. He dodged my questions and thought too much of himself.
