The City of Veils

by S. Usher Evans

  Two weeks before my coronation, I awoke to new ships in the harbor again—this time bearing the colors of Kulka and Niemen. Unlike when the Severians had surprised us, the castle had been preparing for their arrival for the past few days, or so Beata told me.

  "This is a good thing," Beata said, as she worked on my hair. "It means the waiting is over. You're going to be queen soon." She leaned down to whisper in my ear. "And I know Kat's excited to see the Niemen delegation. Look at her."

  Indeed, Katarine stood against the window, practically climbing out of it with anticipation.

  "Leave her alone," I said with a small nudge. "It's not easy to leave home."

  "I wonder who it could be," Katarine said, walking away from the window and wringing her hands. "Perhaps Silvia? Maybe even one of my cousins." She made a face. "I hope Ariadna didn't send a cousin. That would mean she doesn't find you very powerful. Better hope it's a sibling."

  "Thanks," I drawled as Beata giggled.

  As soon as I finished dressing, Felix arrived with news from the convoys he'd sent to greet the boats.

  "We are to receive Lord Melwin of Kulka," he said, reading off the paper. "He's a ranking member of their Council."

  "And from Niemen?" Katarine asked, a little breathlessly.

  "Prince Luard von—"

  He didn't finish as Katarine gasped so loudly it cut him off. "Are you serious? Luard is here?"

  "Yes," Felix said with a smile. "And he's very excited to see you."

  Tears actually gathered in her eyes. "I haven't seen him since I was a girl. I can't believe he came. Oh, what a wonderful day!" She twirled a few times, giggling, then stopped. "Oh, I've got to change. I can't let him see me wearing this. And my hair is so out of style—"

  "Bea," I said, looking up at her. "Why don't you get Kat ready to see her brother, hm? Felix and I can finish up here."

  "Come along, silly girl," Beata said, wrapping her arms around Katarine and walking her out of the room.

  "That was weird," I said, after the door shut behind them. "I've never seen her so excited before."

  "She hasn't had a lot to be excited about in a while," Felix said. "But it's a good sign that the Niemenians sent Luard, and an even better sign about Melwin. Both of them will be authorized to speak on behalf of their kingdoms." He paused. "It would be like you sending me to represent you in a foreign nation."

  I turned, pensive. "Can I do that? Get you out of my hair for a bit? You'd probably like Kulka…"

  "Funny," he said dryly, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

  The receiving hall had been completely transformed. Now, giant blue flags hung from the rafters, and behind my throne, another banner bearing the Lonsdale crest. Like Felix, the royal guard wore their dress uniforms, navy-colored with glinting silver buttons down the front. But it wasn't just the usual squad of soldiers; even the younger kids stood at attention at the end of the room, their swords scraping the floor behind them.

  "Your guards look very presentable," I said under my breath. "All of them."

  He nodded. "It's the first day I've let the younger kids in the main throne room. If they embarrass me, I'll flog them within an inch of their lives."

  "I'm sure," I said, as I released him and ascended the throne. But I stopped before I got there. There was a new cushion on the throne—in fact, even the dais on which it sat had new velvet coverings. Instead of the royal red, it was the same dark blue that matched the guards.

  "What's wrong?" Felix asked.

  "Throne's new," I said, pointing to it.

  "It's about time, isn't it?" he said. "It's yours. Might as well be updated for you."

  For me. For the queen. Why that realization hit me at that moment, I didn't know, but it was hard to breathe again. Perhaps in the back of my mind, I'd always thought I'd wriggle out of becoming queen. Perhaps find a more suitable ruler or maybe even be forced out through the Council. Vernice had certainly been trying.

  And yet, there I was, looking down on the final few days of freedom before I would be chained to this newly refinished throne.

  "Ah, I see you've seen the updates," Garwood said, coming to stand next to Felix and me. "I wanted to keep it a surprise, a little coronation gift for you. The chair was looking ragged and it just didn't do to have our queen sit on an old throne."

  I nodded, unable to tear my gaze away from it.

  "Brynn," Felix whispered. "Take a breath and go sit down."

  I inhaled deeply, the air releasing whatever paralysis had taken root, and I climbed the dais and sat on the throne. It wasn't the most cushiony seat, but it was manageable, especially with extra padding between my rear and the hard gold.

  "Do you like it?" Garwood asked.

  "Yes," I said thinly as Felix left to join his guard on the side of the room. "I guess send in the envoys."

  The doors opened and I had to force myself not to grip the throne. Unlike with Ilara, the first envoy came only flanked by two or three soldiers and Lady Vernice. His guards wore tunics made of dark brown fabric. Melwin himself was a middle-aged man, a head shorter than his flanking guards with a sharp, long nose and prominent cheekbones. His dark hair had been cut a little longer and combed over to one side. His tunic was a verdant green color, the color of the farmlands of Kulka. But based on the soft skin on his hands and the lack of tan lines on his face, he'd probably never seen a farm in his life except from a carriage.

  He swept right up to the throne and bowed, some of his hair falling out of place. "Your Highness, I am Lord Melwin Bounderby from the kingdom of Kulka. I bring you good tidings of peace and luck on behalf of King Neshua."

  "Thank you," I said with a nod. "I'm honored that you're here to witness my coronation." I looked at Vernice. "Always a pleasure, Lady Vernice."

  She bowed, though not as low as Melwin then nodded to Garwoood. "Leandro, glad to see you as well."

  "Ana," Garwood said. "Melwin, what news from Kulka? The king is in good health?"

  "Exceptionally, the whole royal family remains fit and happy. Prince Ammon and his wife have just welcomed their second child."

  "Second?" I blinked. Ammon was the man I was supposed to marry. Could I really have been a mother twice over already had I stayed?

  "Ah yes, he was your betrothed," Melwin said, his smile fading slightly. "He's quite the attentive husband. Princess Demetria was a Kulkan lord's daughter who was happy to take your place, once you decided against fulfilling the treaty."

  I forced a smile onto my face as Vernice jumped on his conversation topic. "Yes, Princess. Melwin and I were discussing the open treaty. Have you given any thought as to how you would resolve it?" Her eyes glittered. "Melwin, you said that you have a son who would be eligible."

  "Strapping young man," he said. "I've brought him if—"

  "I don't think I'll be marrying anyone any time soon, as we've discussed, Lady Vernice," I replied with a glare at Vernice. "But perhaps we can talk about who else could fulfill my obligation. There are plenty of eligible young people in my court who would be more than happy to take up the mantle in my place."

  Melwin frowned. "Unfortunately, the treaty was very specific. It should be a sibling to the crown or, of course, the crown itself."

  "Ah." I looked around, opening my arms. "We're fresh out of siblings. I'm sure we can come to alternate arrangements."

  He grumbled instead of responding, so Vernice inserted herself again. "I do hope you're planning on giving my cousin the same amount of hospitality you've given others."

  Of course they were cousins. I could see the resemblance in their stink faces. "Lord Melwin, have you already settled in, or would you like me to find somewhere else in the castle?"

  "I'd prefer to stay there. I don't want to be too close to the Niemenians." He bristled. "Loud, boisterous bunch there."

  "I'm sure," I said. "Well, I hope that you'll enjoy your stay here. I know your cousin will see to it."

  Blessedly, they took the cue and turned to leave. Once they were past
the large double doors, I exhaled a loud breath and slouched.

  "Vernice will keep asking about that marriage contract until it's filled," Garwood said.

  I squinted at him. "Do you feel like being married off?"

  He barked a laugh. "My husband might have a problem with that."

  "True."

  The door behind me opened and shut and I spun around to see who'd arrived. Katarine, dressed in a light yellow dress, hurried into the room with inflamed cheeks. She came to stand next to me.

  "I'm sorry I was late," she said, her pale cheeks flushed.

  "You just missed Vernice and her cousin," I replied then glanced at her. "Or were you counting on that?"

  She shrugged and smoothed her shirt. "Lady Vernice is a wonderful Councilor."

  "Spoken like a true diplomat," Garwood said, waving to the front of the room. "Send in the next one."

  The doors opened again, but this time only a single man came strolling through. He looked as lively and fun as Melwin had been old and mean. His blond hair was almost white, styled and gelled so that it retained a messy look, and his rosy, pale cheeks told of a man who was used to smiling. His blue eyes were visible from clear across the room. Despite it all, I could clearly see the resemblance between him and Katarine, especially as she practically flew off the dais and into her brother's arms.

  "Kat!" he cried, catching her and spinning her around the room. "My word, look at you! You haven't changed a bit."

  She grinned and swatted his shoulder. "Silly, I'm a decade older."

  "Nonsense, still the same Kitty-Kat I used to chase around the castle."

  "I think you've got a handle on the situation," Garwood said, turning to me as the siblings got into it. "You see, my dear, this is why you marry wisely. Your envoy loves his sister, and his sister loves you." He winked. "Now, if we could only have the same relationship with Kulka, we'd be in business."

  "I'll get right on that," I said, pushing myself to stand. As Garwood left us, I approached the center of the room, where I'd yet to be noticed or acknowledged.

  "It's so good to see you," Katarine said, drinking in her brother like she was dying of thirst. "How's the palace? How's Mum?"

  "She's cantankerous and miserable, so the usual," he said, holding her warmly. "You look so beautiful. I'm sorry I couldn't make your wedding. And—"

  Finally, I cleared my throat loudly. Luard looked beyond his sister to me, and his face reddened.

  "Oh, Your Majesty." He stepped beside Katarine and bowed. "My apologies. I am—"

  "We're past that. It's been far too formal in here for a while." I stuck out my hand. "Brynna. Princess."

  "Luard," he said, taking my hand. "Envoy."

  "Brynna," Katarine scolded, shaking her head. "I swear I've taught her manners, Luard."

  "Don't even start with me," I said with a glance in her direction. "You've been hopping like a rabbit since this morning."

  "I can't believe you didn't tell me you were coming," she said to her brother. "That was horrible of you to not mention it in your letters."

  "I wanted it to be a surprise," he said grinning. "And also, I had to really work on Ariadna. She wanted to send Cousin Broward, can you imagine?" He glanced in my direction. "But I told her it would be rude to send such a bore to my sister's sister's coronation. After all, we're just so thankful that you've kept our Kitty-Kat around. I don't think we have room for you back in Niemen."

  "I wouldn't let you have her if you wanted her," I replied with a wink to Katarine. "So, Luard. What news do you have for me from the queen?"

  "Oh, the usual. She wants you to stop charging them so much to transport the ore to the ocean. Or just give us back the land you took from us six hundred years ago."

  "Your sister tells me that would be a bad move, strategically."

  "Traitor," he said with a shake of his head. "Well, I'm absolutely famished. Would it be rude to invite myself to dine with you two gorgeous women?"

  "No ruder than asking me who I'm going to marry," I said with a shake of my head. "Let's go."

  Chapter 39

  "And then, my tutor comes into the room, and I could have died," Luard said. "The girls, they were hiding behind a curtain and one of them sneezed. I thought for sure we'd been made. But my tutor had always been hard of hearing, so he sat his old ass down on the chair and proceeded to lecture for the next hour. None the wiser that two naked girls were hiding behind a curtain."

  The Niemenian prince was like a breath of fresh air. We'd enjoyed a light lunch in the royal dining room and were now sitting in the brand new furnished royal bedroom. It was much more subdued than the previous furniture, continuing the theme of dark blues and whites. Luckily, Luard had been regaling us with tales of his adventures, so I hadn't really had a chance to think about how it was my room now.

  "Ah, those were the days," he said, sitting back and sipping his wine. "My dear Kitty-Kat, I'm just so sad I never got to meet your lovely husband."

  "I think you two would've gotten along great," Katarine said with a look to me. "Just like you and Brynn will get along while you're here."

  "Yes, Brynn," Luard said, giving me a look. "You know, I hear that you're still without a marriage contract. I could offer myself to fulfill your husbandly needs."

  I snorted and rolled my eyes. "I'm good, thanks."

  "Don't tell me you're going to marry one of those dreadful Kulkans." He made a face. "They're so stuffy and boring. I'd, at least, give you a thrill."

  "I've had thrills before."

  "Not in the bedroom."

  "So little you know," I replied, earning me a look of surprise from the rest of the room. "What?"

  Luard hooted and grinned. "Oh, I like your little queen. She's got some fire in her."

  "A little too much, if you ask me," Felix grumbled from the corner.

  "You can't blame her," Luard replied. "Poor thing thought she was free from all this royal mess, and then you dragged her back into it. Surprised you haven't tried to escape yet."

  I laughed. "That's an understatement."

  "Speaking of escaping, what are the chances that we can get out tonight? I saw a raucous festival on the way up from the water, and where there's a festival, there's probably booze and fun."

  "I would love to," I said. "But my babysitter won't let me out of his sight."

  Luard snickered. "My love, you're going to have to learn the better points of giving your guards the slip."

  "She's well-versed in that," Felix said.

  "Not recently." I turned to him, expecting the answer but deciding to ask anyway. "Well? May I attend my own festival tonight?"

  "Why not?" he said with a shrug.

  I nearly fell out of my chair "Wait…really?"

  "You'll be accompanied by us, of course. As the princess." He gave me a look. "And you have to stay with me at all times."

  "Well, of course she'll be coming as the princess. What else would she be coming as?" Luard asked with a laugh.

  But I jumped to my feet, grabbing Felix by the arm and pulling him into the corner. "Are you screwing with me? This isn't funny if you're screwing with me."

  "The festival is well-guarded and staffed," he replied softly. "You'll be with a large group, including myself. And if we dress incognito, we should avoid a lot of unnecessary attention." He glanced at Luard, who was back to entertaining Katarine with his history, and then back at me, lowering his head to eye-level. "But you will not leave my sight."

  "I promise," I said. I was getting a chance to escape of the castle, I'd do whatever he said.

  "And you will drink and enjoy yourself and not think about anything else," he finished. "You've been entirely too moody lately. It's time you had a little fun."

  I peered out of the carriage windows at the city, which had been transformed. Streamers in blue and white hung from every sign, men and women wore blue and white ribbons on their lapels. Even more than that, there seemed to be a lightness in the city. Perhaps the combination of ha
ving the festival and coronation wasn't the worst idea for a city that had seen so much tragedy of late.

  "Your room looks nice," he said, by way of conversation. "I think it's time you moved into it."

  "Kat did a good job," I said with a nod as I sank back into my carriage cushions. "Thank you, again. For letting me out of the castle."

  "Promise me you won't try to slip away," Felix said, his gaze still outside.

  "I promise," I said softly, and I actually meant it. As much as I liked to push Felix's buttons, I didn't like him to be truly angry with me. And besides that, I'd been off the streets for so long, I wouldn't even know where to begin.

  "I love the summer festival," he said. "It's always been my favorite time of year."

  "You said you hated it!" I turned to him in disbelief. "You gave me so much crap about wanting to have my coronation the same weekend as the festival, and said—"

  "We hate the festival because we normally can't participate," Felix said with a laugh. "Which is part of the reason I said yes to you coming. Now, we can enjoy while working."

  I turned to him, tilting my chin upward in a playful look. "Ah, so you didn't do it for purely altruistic reasons, hm?"

  "They're still pretty mad at you for what you did to Joella. Anything I can do to mend that break, I will." His gaze was serious. "You don't want the people protecting you to hate you."

  I nodded. "Understood."

  We took the long way around to give the others time to make their way to the city center. When the carriage finally rolled to a stop, Luard, Katarine, and Felix's five guards stood at the ready. Felix and the guards were similarly dressed, and he and I took an unmarked carriage down to the festival grounds while the rest would join on foot. If I hadn't known any better, I would've considered us a collection of young people, out to enjoy the festival. And perhaps that's all we were. For tonight, I supposed I could set aside all my fear and just enjoy the evening.