Displaced (The Birthright Series Book 1)

by Bridget E. Baker

  “How quick everyone is to rush to her defense.” Judica shakes Alora off. “Why isn’t anyone rushing to help me?”

  “First of all, Chancery isn’t threatening to kill anyone. But beyond that, Mother named Chancery this morning as her new Heir,” Alora says. “That makes her Empress, and you’re the one challenging her moments after Mother was killed. I’m sorry if you perceive that as me rushing to her side.” So quietly I can barely hear her, Alora says, “I’m here by your side, too. I want what’s best for both of you, and for Alamecha. That’s why I’m taking her home with me to New York.”

  “My sister Chancery,” Judica practically spits, “is the new Empress, as you so helpfully pointed out. She isn’t going anywhere.”

  Inara sits down next to me on the ground, her skirt belling around her, and pats the floor. Alora sits down cross-legged, but Judica continues pacing.

  “We haven’t had the investiture yet,” Inara says, “which means Chancery’s still only Heir now. We don’t even have the ring to use for it.”

  “Wait,” Alora says, “the ring is missing?”

  I nod. “It’s a long story, but we think Mom took it off and put it somewhere she thought it would be safer. We don’t know where.” I shove my guilt about lying down deep. I have no idea if what Job said was reliable, or whether it even refers to the ring.

  “Regardless,” Inara says. “What if you let Chancy spend her month in New York with Alora and you rule in her absence as her heir, the heir to the Heir. It’s been done. There’s precedent. Melamecha took decades off, several times in fact.”

  “What a brilliant plan,” Alora says. “You wouldn’t need to kill Chancery if she decides to abdicate anyway.”

  I almost offer to abdicate right now, but when I think of Mom lying there on the parquet, I can’t. “If you’d agree to stand trial,” I say, “just for the Council. Or even just for Alora and Inara. If you’re found innocent of poisoning Mom, I’ll abdicate.”

  “Our family is at risk right now,” Judica says. “The Five sense blood in the water. I’m not going to agree to stand trial, and I’m not going to send you off to train for a month, either. I’m not the stupid one, remember?”

  “You’ve been training hard for almost eighteen years. You think I’ll catch you in a month?” I roll my eyes. “I didn’t expect you to be afraid of me.”

  “You’ll never defeat me.” Judica huffs. “But that doesn’t mean I want to prolong the inevitable, either. Mother is dead. Whether this happens now, or in a week, or in a month, that fact won’t change.”

  “I didn’t want to bring this up,” Inara says, “but you’re forcing my hand. Chancery named you mother slayer, Judica. Because Chancery is ascending as the new Empress, she would have held the trial to determine whether there is evidence that you killed Mother. That inquest must take place. If Chancery is alive, as Empress of Alamecha, she conducts the inquest. A direct challenge from the next in the line of succession takes precedence, so by challenging Chancery, your duel will take place before any inquest.”

  “I know,” Judica says. “I’ve read the Charter.”

  “But you neglected to consider what happens after you win,” Inara says.

  It sort of stings that everyone assumes Judica will beat me, even if I agree with them.

  “I take my place as Empress,” Judica says.

  Inara shakes her head and Alora frowns.

  Alora says, “No, you don’t. Inara’s right. The demand for the inquest against one other than the Heir accused of killing the Empress still stands. You can’t conduct an inquest against yourself, and with Chancery gone, the Five will convene the court.”

  “So even if I kill her, this mess won’t be over.” Judica collapses onto the edge of her bed. “The Five will intercede in our affairs either way, thanks to her thoughtless and baseless allegations.”

  “If they’re really baseless, then agree to a trial now,” I say.

  Inara clucks. “There is a way out.”

  Judica looks down at her. “What is that?”

  Alora sighs. “Chancery can voluntarily rescind her accusation.”

  I shake my head. “Why would I do that? She can deny it until the end of time. I know she did it and why.”

  Inara spears me with a glance. I know what she’s suggesting. I rescind my accusation in exchange for time to train before this duel. Without time, I’m dead in the morning, but at least I’ll die with the knowledge that my mom’s killer might be brought to justice.

  Although, the Five will do whatever they believe is politically expedient. I can’t really trust them any more than I trust Judica. Gah, I hate politics.

  “Fine. But if I rescind my accusation, do I have the right to reissue it after the challenge?”

  “You’re an idiot,” Judica says. “The only way you could reissue it is if you win, and if you do, I’ll already be dead. I’d think that’s punishment enough, even to satisfy your anger.”

  Alora puts her hand on my shoulder. “You can always reissue an accusation. Judica is right that in this circumstance it doesn’t seem that it would be necessary.”

  “So if I rescind my accusation, you will swear to delay the duel for a month, while I decide whether to abdicate?”

  “Wrong. I’ll give you a week.”

  “A week isn’t time to decide, it’s a holiday,” Inara says. “She needs to spend time contemplating a non-evian life. Not to mention, we’re all grieving here.” Bless her for trying to get me more time.

  “Alamecha doesn’t have weeks to spare,” Judica says. “The sharks are circling, and our family needs to show it’s strong. With the ring missing, it’s even more important this be resolved quickly.”

  “Obviously we won’t tell anyone it’s gone,” Inara says.

  “One week,” Judica says. “That’s my limit.”

  “I don’t agree to that,” I say.

  All three sets of eyes turn to me, each one reflecting shock at my refusal.

  “I don’t think I can decide in a week. I need two.”

  “Absolutely not,” Judica says. “That’s too long.”

  “I’ll agree to ten days... if you also release Edam.” Because with me gone and Judica in charge, he’d be executed in the morning. I can’t have that on my conscience. She only hates him because he stood up for me.

  Judica snorts. “No.”

  “He comes with me, and—”

  “Wait,” Judica asks, “where are you going? I assumed you’d stay here.”

  “If I stay here, there’s no reason to leave you in charge in my stead. I’m going with Alora to New York,” I say. “To see what it’s like to be human. I’ve never liked or agreed with many things about evian life, and if I abdicate, I’ll be living with humans forever. I’d like to experience that before I decide.” Plus, I need to look for the ring. “You rescind the charges against Edam and let him come with me, or I’ll stay here and fight you tomorrow. When I die in the morning, as everyone seems quite sure I will, I’m sure you’ll enjoy hosting the Five while they look for evidence of how you murdered Mom.”

  Judica glances from Alora to me and back again. Finally, she says, “Fine, Edam goes with you for ten days, but I won’t make any promises about charges against him being dropped. If you abdicate, he’ll be exiled along with you. If you return, fight, and lose, I can kill him any way I choose.” Judging by the set of her jaw, it’s the best offer I’ll get.

  “I accept. But you freeze Mom’s body, and if I abdicate, I can attend Mom’s funeral before leaving.”

  “Fine,” Judica says. “But I’m not doing this for you. I’ll agree to your terms as a final gift to Mother.”

  Alora smiles as if she’s brokered the peace deal of the century instead of simply delaying my demise. “Lovely. Just lovely. Now let’s hammer out the details so we can all get some rest. Chancery and I will leave in the morning.”

  16

  Inara knocks before the sun rises. When I open the door for her, Frederick’s
awake and alert outside, a small bag on the floor next to him. She’s carrying a bag, too.

  “Good morning.” I rub my bleary eyes.

  “Are you ready to go? Alora’s plane is preparing to leave.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” I say, “and I think you should stay.”

  Inara drops her bag. “Why?”

  “I’ll have Edam and Alora to train me, and you could stay here and look for the ring while I’m gone.”

  “Judica will already be looking,” Inara says.

  “Exactly. I’d love to have someone here I can trust not to simply schedule the funeral and investiture without me, and you could maybe try to warn me of any assassination attempts headed my way.”

  Inara frowns. “I can protect you better if I’m near you. And I can’t counsel you at all, not from here, not with any confidence that no one else knows what I’m telling you.”

  “I need someone I trust to put the family first here, in the heart of Alamecha.”

  Inara sits on my bed, her lip trembling. “I miss her, too. I want to do what she wants me to do, but I don’t know what that is.”

  I sit next to Inara and wrap my arm around her. Her dismay tears at the gaping hole in my heart, but I can’t fall apart when she needs strength from me. Not when she’s been so amazing.

  Inara wipes at her face and straightens. “You need me here?”

  I nod.

  “Then I’ll stay. Maybe I can provide something, information or, I don’t know, something helpful from here. If nothing else, I can work with the people to make sure they soften toward the idea of you as their ruler.”

  I’m sure they hate the thought of me taking over for Mom. No one who doesn’t know about the EMP thinks I’m the right choice. They’re probably all right.

  Inara must see the pain in my face, because she bites her lip. “That’s not what I meant. I’m sure people are pleased. Everyone loves you. They were just surprised, is all. I can help them adjust to the idea.”

  “Might be a huge waste of time,” I say. “I may just abdicate. If we can’t find the ring, it won’t matter that I reacted to it.”

  “There’s a prophecy about it, right?” Inara asks. “Mom mentioned it once to Adika when I was much younger, but I overheard. There’s some queen to rule all queens, and she thinks it’s you.”

  I have no idea why it’s supposed to be such a secret, but I see no reason not to confirm Inara’s guess. I nod. “Something like that. It’s ridiculous.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe not.”

  I stand up and grab my bag. “I guess I don’t have time to brush my teeth and shower, not if Alora’s plane is about to leave.”

  Inara stands and hugs me again, so tightly I can almost hear my bones creak.

  “Careful,” I say. “I know we heal, but it still hurts.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Oh please.”

  I grab my bag and head for the door.

  “Wait,” Inara says.

  “Yeah?” I ask.

  “Give me your phone.”

  I shake my head. “How else will I call you?”

  “Judica can look up that number on her system here. She can track you with it if she wants to. It’s not safe.”

  “She agreed to ten days,” I say.

  Inara shrugs. “Fine, trust in her good nature.”

  Crap. I hand her my phone. “How will I contact you?”

  She passes me an envelope full of cash. “You can buy a new phone, or if you trust Alora completely, have her get you one. At least no phone she provides will be monitored by the main Alamecha security protocols.”

  I hadn’t even thought about all of this. It’s making my head spin. As Empress, I need to learn a lot more about security and espionage. I glance at the stack of books on my bedside table. Mom was always piling me up with light reading about the world, telling me I’d need to integrate all that information at some point. I snag five of them: Hacking Exposed, The Art of Deception, Thinking Strategically, Why Nations Fail, and Sladius Today: Decimate your Opponent. At least I’ll have something to read on the flight to NYC.

  The pain I feel when I walk away from Inara, my mother’s mini-me, is nothing to the ocean of sorrow when I think about the fact that she’s gone. But it still hurts. I glance over my shoulder and she smiles broadly at me and waves.

  Frederick, of course, trails on my heels. “Is this going to be a new thing?” I ask.

  “What? Me following you?” His dark hair falls in his face, and he uses his free hand to brush it back.

  “I don’t need a shadow.”

  “I disagree,” he says. “But I haven’t had time to thoroughly vet enough of the guards. That will have to wait. For now, I’ve chosen ten I trust completely to accompany us.”

  I open my mouth to argue.

  Frederick sets his jaw and clenches his fist, and I don’t have the energy to argue with him, not now. Not after the last two days.

  “Fine.”

  I survey his approved guards on the runway outside. Seven men and three women. I know them all, of course, but I only know four of them well enough to carry on a conversation of any kind. I’m surprised how many of them are young. Like, only a few years older than me.

  “How did you pick these guards specifically?” I ask as we climb up the steps to board the jet. “I’ve barely met a few of them.”

  “I wish I could have simply transferred your mother’s guard to you.” He shakes his head. “But I felt it was safer to recruit only people I was one thousand percent sure supported you specifically.”

  “I think she was poisoned.” I blink back tears. “I doubt the guards were to blame for that failure. More like one of Angel’s staff.”

  “You can be sure Judica will conduct a thorough investigation there.”

  Unless Judica poisoned Mom herself. I see that register on Frederick’s face, so I don’t bother saying it. Frederick’s guards split, half in front and half behind me. I wait patiently at the top of the stairs for them to clear me to board. Alora’s jet only seats twenty, and I notice there’s already one guest on board. It’s not Alora.

  Edam’s sitting in the window of the first row on the right side. He doesn’t smile at me when my eyes meet his. In fact, it almost looks like he’s scowling. Did I imagine the flirty interchanges over the past few days? I expected a little gratitude for getting him out of a holding cell at the very least.

  “Hey, Edam.” Even with the awful day I’ve had, his face brightens the room.

  He grunts.

  Why is he grunting? What did I do? Maybe he hates anyone in line for the throne. “I’m glad you’re safe and onboard.”

  “I wish I was.” He crosses his arms, the muscles in his forearms rippling, and leans back in his chair.

  “Umm, are you saying you wish you weren’t safe? Or that you weren’t on board?” I ask.

  He lifts one eyebrow.

  I sit down on the seat next to him, and he leans slightly toward the window and away from me. What the—? “What’s wrong with you?”

  “If Your Majesty finds me lacking in any way, I apologize profusely.”

  “Knock it off with all the majesties and whatnot. Why are you upset?”

  “No reason. No reason at all. And now that Your Majesty is Empress, I certainly can’t justify using a more informal address.” Edam pulls a book out of his bag and pointedly sticks his nose into it. Sein Und Zeit. Great. He’s reading Heidegger’s Being in Time. In the original German. Instead of talking to me.

  “A little light reading for the flight?” I thought my stupid security, economics, and game theory texts were bad enough.

  He answers without looking up. “We’re joining the humans for a while. I figured I should brush up on my studies of human morality.”

  “Are you kidding me right now?” I ask. “You’re reading an old German philosopher so you can connect in New York City?”

  Edam plonks the thick, leather bound book down on his lap. “What would you prefer f
or me to do, Your Majesty? I’m sure that your wish is my command.”

  “I thought, since we’re in this together, you might talk to me. We could formulate a plan or something.”

  “We’re in this together?” The corner of Edam’s mouth quirks up.

  “Well, aren’t we? You came to my defense, which landed you in a cell, and I struck a deal with my sister, one requirement of which was that she free you.”

  Edam closes his eyes for a moment. “I dumped your lunatic sister, who by the way, never asked me if I wanted to date her in the first place. That really pissed her off royally. Then I kept her from decapitating you, and later, from strangling you. That certainly didn’t help, but she wouldn’t have killed me, not really. Especially if I groveled, which is all she’s wanted from the beginning.”

  My mouth dangles open stupidly. “Are you saying you wish I’d left you imprisoned? Awaiting execution?”

  Frederick snorts behind me, and I feel a little vindicated at least.

  “I wasn’t given an option. Again.”

  This time, when Edam opens his book and begins reading, I almost don’t interrupt. But I can’t have him thinking I’m the same as Judica. If I’d known he wanted to stay with her, I never would have negotiated to bring him along. “I’m sorry,” I say quietly. Then I stand up and go to the bathroom, just so I can change seats.

  The bathroom stall winds up being a nice place to cry in silence. It’s not like Edam being mad at me even rates on the general barometer for horrible events in the last few days, but somehow, his anger at my attempt to help sends me over the edge. The plane’s about to take off when I finally emerge, and there’s a seat open near Alora. Thankfully.

  “Inara made me leave my cell phone behind,” I complain.

  Alora lifts one eyebrow. “I hope everyone on this plane did the same.”

  Heads nod all around me.

  “I’ve made arrangements. You’ll all be provided with new phones upon arrival, or if you’d prefer, I can show you to a location to procure your own.”

  I manage to read all five books during my flight. And I stick to Alora’s side like glue when we exit the plane, not that steering clear of Edam is hard. I’m surrounded by guards like a crystal vase cocooned in bubble wrap for international shipping.