The City of Veils

by S. Usher Evans

  "Heir, and nearly upending our entire economy," Vernice said. "It's just something we should consider. It won't take much to declare her unfit for the throne, and then the crown will pass to—"

  "A drunk," I replied, deciding my thumb-in-hand tactic wasn't going to work anymore. "Is he fit for the throne? Or would you just consider him more malleable than I am? I'll remind you that our murderer remains at large."

  "I thought Captain Llobrega captured him," she replied with a narrow eye. "And he died of—"

  "He was poisoned to keep his silence," I replied. "Which means he was an innocent man."

  "Now's not the time to talk about this," Garwood said. "We need to stay focused on how we'll resolve this Severian crisis."

  "I think it's absolutely the right time to talk about it," I replied. "Since a Councilor just asked that I renounce my throne. Seems fishy, hm? Bitch can't kill me, so she'll have me declared unfit instead."

  Vernice gasped and Garwood shook his head. "Brynna, no need to be rude."

  I sat back and pressed my thumb into my palm once again, remembering that I was trying to get out of this Council meeting without too many bruises.

  "We are not discussing Princess Brynna's fitness for the throne," Garwood said, casting a warning look at Vernice. "Maurice made his share of governing mistakes, and we gave him the space to recover from them. If you'll recall, Ana."

  She sniffed, clearly still salty that I'd called her a bitch. But she deserved it.

  "As long as this agreement doesn't become any more than a verbal discussion, I don't think we have to worry," Garwood said, glancing between me and Vernice. "The envoys from Kulka and Niemen are on their way, and we'll be able to smooth things over when they arrive, inform them that the princess merely made a mistake. It should satisfy them—as long as the Severians are gone from the castle, and that agreement is voided."

  I nodded. So much for helping Ilara. "Agreed."

  "Excellent," Garwood said, taking his seat. "Now, if no one else has any business to discuss, I'm sure that's enough excitement for one day."

  Chapter 35

  Unsurprisingly, there were two guards waiting for me outside the Council room, and I was practically frog-marched into my room and locked in. Katarine came shortly thereafter and spent the afternoon with me, drafting how I would approach Ilara and ways we could still help her. She wasn't pleased I'd called Vernice a bitch, but overall, thought that the meeting had gone as well as could be expected.

  When night fell, the door turned over and Felix walked in, carrying a book under his arm and a blanket in the other.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked, having not spoken to him since the night before. "Are you going to let me out?"

  "No." He sat down in front of the fire, pulling off his boots and sitting back on the chair. "Since it's clear you can't be trusted, I'm staying here for the night."

  I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Are you serious?"

  "Clearly one of us has to be. Since you're too blinded by your own ego to set it aside for five minutes."

  "That's rich, coming from you," I scoffed. "At least I'm trying to make a difference."

  "By getting yourself killed."

  I exhaled. "I'm making good with the Severians. I have breakfast with Ilara in the morning to kick them out of the castle. The Council's pissed but taken care of."

  "Excellent," he said, cracking open the book. "But you still almost got yourself killed last night."

  I scowled. "I didn't, actually."

  "Go to sleep," he said, turning the page.

  "You've got to be kidding me," I said, marching over to him. "Are you really doing this? Really, Felix? I'm a grown adult."

  "Prove to me I can trust you in here and I will leave you alone."

  I released a frustrated growl. "I don't have to prove anything to you."

  "Then I'll stay here, reading this fascinating book on a Forcadel naval battle, and you can just stew."

  That was it. I dove for him, knocking him out of the chair and onto the floor. We were a tangle of limbs and grunts as I struggled to get the upper hand. But he was quicker, slapping a metal handcuff around my left wrist then my right. I shot my leg out and kicked over the chair, screaming in fury as I struggled against the manacles.

  The door flew open and three of his guards came running in, swords drawn.

  "Stand down," Felix said, pressing his hand onto my back. "I have her handled."

  I released another filthy string of curses, the worst I could think of, but all it made him do was laugh as he pulled me upright and marched me to the bed.

  "Are you going to be nice?" he asked, unlocking my left arm.

  In response, I reared back and tried to choke him. He grabbed my wrist and twisted it behind me, sending a shot of pain up my arm. I gritted my teeth and exhaled slowly, but didn't cry out.

  "Since it's clear you aren't going to behave," he replied, replacing the cuff on my left wrist.

  Then the bastard procured a second set of handcuffs and attached me to the bed.

  "You cannot be serious?" I said, lifting my conjoined hands and tugging against the wooden bed frame. "Are you serious right now?"

  "Yup."

  He righted his chair, which had been kicked over in the scuffle, and sat down, picking up his book and kicking his feet up, exactly as he'd been before I'd attacked him.

  I exhaled loudly through my nose. "As queen, I order you release me from captivity."

  "Your royal orders only have weight if your captain gives them weight," he replied casually. "Also, you aren't queen yet."

  "Queen enough."

  "You keep missing the larger point," he replied, turning the page. "You don't get power merely because you have a crown on your head. You have power because the people have given it to you. They trust that you're the right one to lead them into prosperity. And if they think, for even a moment, that you aren't that one, you will lose your power and be nothing more than a scowling teenager."

  "Thank you, Felix, for a lesson I've already received. But I'm telling you to unlock me and leave."

  He just laughed and shook his head. "Why don't you think about what I just told you and we can talk in the morning? Katarine will be returning early to continue your lessons. It's clear you still need them."

  "It's clear I'm going to murder you."

  "Oh?" He looked up from the book and smiled, damn it. "Please, I'd love to see you try without your weapons."

  "I broke a man's arm."

  "You had the element of surprise and darkness. And right now, you're chained to a bed."

  "I hate you so much right now."

  "I know you do." He lifted the book and settled into the chair. "So perhaps you should just close your eyes and go to sleep so you don't have to look at me anymore."

  I stood next to the headboard, glaring at his stupid face as he purposefully read. Oh, if he thought he could outlast me, he was sorely mistaken. I could spend hours on a rooftop, watching for signs of trouble. My righteous anger would keep me up all night. Because I would be damned if Felix Llobrega won this round, or any round, ever again.

  I awoke with my handcuffs missing, but Felix still in my room. He was awake, reading his book with a half-eaten breakfast tray sitting in front of him.

  "Good morning," he replied, closing the book with a loud sound. "Can I trust you not to stab me with the butter knife?"

  I rolled out of bed and rubbed my wrists, too tired to argue with him. I was still wearing the same clothes from the night before, and my hair was coming out of the plait. But I made no move to fix it. It wasn't as if I was trying to woo Felix to my bed, unless I was going to murder him afterward.

  I marched over to the table where my breakfast was waiting and plopped down, helping myself to coffee and a scone. There was an assortment of iced pastries and muffins, instead of my usual fruit, and the coffee was extra strong. It was clear Beata was trying to put me in a good mood.

  Unfortunately, my breakfast companion ru
ined any chance of that.

  "Are you always this beautiful in the morning?" Felix asked, a ghost of a smile dancing on his lips. "Your hair is…exquisite."

  "I'm not used to sleeping a full night," I said, running a hand over my frizzing hair. "Why are you still here? It's day. I'm not going to disappear."

  "I don't quite trust you," he said, grabbing another icing-covered pastry from my set. "And we have to talk about your meeting with Ilara today."

  Yawning, I poured myself another cup and downed it in one gulp. "I'm going to tell her that the Council overruled me. Kat and I already talked about other ways we can help them." I paused, giving him a glance. "You know what would be the best option? If Beswick was just…out of the picture entirely. Then he wouldn't be able to stiff them."

  "I'm sure that would be the best option. It's not the most realistic, but it's the best."

  "If you'd let me out of my room, I could—"

  "Brynna," he said with a sigh. "No."

  Beata arrived shortly after that, and I was allowed to bathe and get changed into one of my nicer dresses. Felix was gone when I returned, but Katarine had taken his place, helping herself to the pastries.

  "I heard you and Felix had a good night," she said with a wink at Beata.

  "Don't even start," I replied, stepping into my dress. "I can't believe you condoned him handcuffing me to the bed."

  "I mean, it's not my kink, but…"

  I gasped and looked over my shoulder. Katarine wore a mischievous smirk on her face and Beata giggled as she tied the sash around my waist.

  "This is grossly unfair," I said. "Two against one."

  Coyle was my guard of the day, escorting me down to where the Severians were staying. It was clear nobody had told them they needed to vacate, as the earthy scents of perfumes and teas met my nose the closer I came to Ilara's quarters. I was let inside a room I no longer recognized. The curtains were of a thicker fabric, blocking the warm sunlight and leaving it rather chilly and smelling of sheep. Shaggy rugs sat on the floor made of torn fabric that I almost tripped over as I walked into the room.

  Ilara had a beautiful spread before me, eggs and fruit arranged in an intricate pattern. I ate none of it, but smiled politely as she came out of her bedroom and joined me in the room.

  "It is a glorious morning, is it not?" she asked. "I wish my handlers would let me open the windows more. But they're so concerned about my well-being."

  "Yeah, I know all about that," I replied, rubbing my wrists. "I come with bad news. I'm…not going to be able to follow through with that treaty we discussed."

  She smiled, clasping her hands on her knees. "I know. I had a feeling."

  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get your hopes up." I chewed on my lip. "I was trying to do something and I was using our treaty to accomplish it."

  "Did you do it?"

  "Um…" I tilted my head to the side. "Yes and no. But it doesn't matter. The Council was furious with me for even considering it. And I'm afraid it's just made things worse."

  "I understand completely. I've made a few mistakes myself in the course of trying to do the right thing." She stared at her hands. "I also assume you're here to ask me to pack up and go back to my country, hm?"

  "They would like you to do that," I said with a wince. "Apparently, your presence is offensive to our richer allies who are on their way for my coronation."

  She barked out a laugh then dissolved into giggles. "You certainly have a way with words, Brynna."

  "It's ridiculous," I said with a laugh of my own. "But…I feel like I have to play by the rules for a little bit. Right now, it feels like the entire country hates me. Or at least everyone in the castle."

  She tilted her head to the side. "Your captain, it seems, is quite fond of you."

  "My captain is about to lose his job, his head, or his manhood, I'm not sure which," I snapped, glowering at the dark liquid as if it were Felix himself.

  "Ah, well, I'd assumed something might have been going on between you." She shrugged. "It's not uncommon for the protector to become attached to the protected."

  "Uh…no," I said as my cheeks warmed. "Felix just wants me to live long enough to sit on the throne. And we have differing opinions on the best way to do that. And right now…" I released a breath, thinking about him and his smug smile as he watched me all night. "Right now, he's not on my good side. He's decided I can't be trusted to wipe my own ass anymore."

  "Mm, perhaps," Ilara said. "But I have to say, the way he watches you, it's clear that he has feelings for you. And perhaps whatever happened to make him react this way…his reaction isn't really the most rational because, well…love isn't rational."

  My warm cheeks enflamed more. I thought he was concerned for my health out of duty. But what if he was in love with me, as Ilara was saying? Could I use it to sway him to let me out?

  Ilara laughed as she patted my hand. "Brynna, be careful. A man's heart is every bit as breakable as yours. Felix seems like a good man."

  I had my doubts about his goodness at the moment. "I'm not going to do anything to hurt him. Emotionally. But if I can manipulate him to loosen his grip, even a little…then it's worth it." I chewed my lip. I had plenty of practice in basic seduction, but Felix would require more than a flash of my ample bosom.

  She laughed. "Perhaps you could try a little vulnerability. Have a conversation about your childhood. Commiserate. That kind of thing. You're such a closed-off person. It might be enough to mend whatever was broken between you."

  "I don't want to mend it. I want him to get off my back."

  "Oh, sweet Brynna, that's what I'm trying to help you with," Ilara said with a giggle. "If you can open yourself up, perhaps he'll trust you again. And when he trusts you again, he'll get off your back." She winked. "Or, you know, maybe get on it, if you want."

  I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "I guess."

  "And in the meantime, I'll help matters by getting back on the sea as quickly as possible," she said with a smile. "I will miss you, Brynna."

  "Me, too," I said, clasping her hand. "I hope this won't be the last I see of you."

  She squeezed my hand. "The Mother wouldn't allow it."

  Chapter 36

  My breakfast with Ilara was the only excitement I was allowed, it seemed, because I was marched back to my room and locked inside. Even Katarine didn't bother to visit. My only company was Beata with lunch, who could stay for a moment. Since I'd slept the entire night before, I spent the afternoon standing at my window and seething out at the dark gray sky and rough waters. About mid-afternoon, a squall blew by, which gave me about an hours' worth of entertainment.

  But I did spend some time thinking about what Ilara had said about Felix. I hadn't noticed a change in our relationship, but perhaps I'd just missed the obvious signs. I wasn't ever one for romantic entanglements. Tasha the butcher's son had been a convenient bedmate. There had been a boy in Celia's camp who I'd thought had pretty eyes, but I couldn't even remember his name now.

  Still, this wasn't about romance, it was about manipulation. And for that, I had the perfect topic of conversation.

  Like the night before, Felix arrived at nightfall with a book and a blanket, setting himself up on the chair. He set a pair of handcuffs down on the table before sitting and pulling off his boots.

  "I hope you aren't going to try to fight me again," Felix said, resting his bare feet on the table near the fire. "I'm not in the mood, so I won't be gentle."

  "Are you ever?" I asked, rubbing the small bruise he'd left on the back of my arm the night before. Then I glanced up at him. "Gentler than Celia, anyway."

  His eyes met mine for a moment then he went back to his book.

  "This kind of reminds me of her," I said, sitting back on the bed. "Some of the kids who tried running away would get handcuffed to their beds until they learned better. Usually only took one time, you know?" I shivered, keeping the memory at bay.

  Felix still hadn't shown any sign he was listening,
so I continued.

  "The night I ran away…the first time," I said, sitting back on the bed and curling my legs under myself, "I almost thought Celia was waiting for me. I barely got past the gates of the castle before I was stuffed into a carriage and led out of town."

  He turned the page, but I knew he was listening.

  "I wasn't scared, really. Probably should've been, but I was pretty sheltered. All I knew was that if I allowed my father to marry me off to a Kulkan prince, I'd never see my home again. Never breathe in the salty air or get splashed by a wave. And whatever Celia had in store for me was a better option than that."

  "Celia lives on the Kulkan border," Felix said. "That, at least, I know."

  "But still within the country," I said. "She knew who I was immediately, but for the first few months, I was like any other runaway. I had to become useful or get the hell out. So I became useful."

  He turned another page.

  "I already knew how to use a sword, which gave me an advantage over everyone else there. Celia taught me how to defend myself without it, and with every other weapon in her arsenal. If I didn't win, I didn't eat. So I learned how to win."

  "That certainly explains a lot."

  I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "At first, all she did was send me out as a scout. It annoyed me, because I could defend myself—"

  "But perhaps she wanted to protect you," Felix said, looking up at me. "Sounds familiar."

  "No," I said softly. "She wanted to use me. It's the reason I don't have a brand on my arm. She wanted to keep me scared enough to stay, but happy enough not to realize I could run back here and ruin her operation."

  The smirk faded from his face. "So why'd you leave?"

  A pair of lifeless eyes flashed across my mind and my heart skipped a beat. I'd wanted to open up a little, but there were some things that were too sacred to be used for this purpose. My cheeks warmed as the silence stretched out between us, and I struggled to come up with something that wasn't the truth.

  "I told you, I decided I was over it," I said after a long pause. "I wanted to use my skills to help people. That's why I went out at night. And why…why I think you should let me out again. Because I can help people."