The City of Veils

by S. Usher Evans

  The closer we drew to the event square, the more festive the decorations. My likeness had been printed on fliers and posters that hung in windows, although it didn't look quite right. But I appreciated the effort.

  We strolled into the festival grounds, entering a crowded space full of laughter and conversation. Felix and Riya pressed in on either side of me as we moved through the populated entrance toward a spot that had less people. The event had taken up a full city block down by the water, with vendors selling their wares out of pop-up tents and face painting and exhibits. And food—all kinds of delicious-smelling food. Fried, steamed, grilled, blackened, there seemed almost too much for any nation to eat, but based on the number of people with bowls of seafood, there was enough. My food at the castle was exquisite, of course, but there was nothing like biting into a steamed crustacean that had been caught and seasoned not an hour before.

  Luard was in his element, even without his royal sash and flashy attire. He asked every vendor about their wares before moving onto the next, delighting in everything he saw. Finally, we reached a vendor selling drinks, and his eyes lit up.

  "First round is on me!" he said with a grin, handing cups of dark red liquid around to everyone.

  "Here," Felix said, taking a sip of a drink before handing it to me.

  I inhaled deeply—it was a turtoil, a fragrant summer drink of wine, brandy, berries, and cinnamon. The taste brought back memories of my childhood and this festival when my father was king. I sipped the drink slowly.

  "You absolutely must try one of these pastries," Luard said, thrusting a buttery bread into my face. Felix plucked it out of his hand and took a bite first, before handing it back to me.

  "Are you really going to take my food before I eat it the entire night?" I asked. "What if it's a slow-acting poison?"

  "Oh, I'm not testing for poison," he said with a mischievous grin. "I just want some."

  I rolled my eyes and broke the bread in half, revealing a purple berry center. I handed half to Felix and nibbled on mine as we continued through the space. Although Luard thrust another turtoil into my hands once my glass was empty, Felix only took a small sip.

  "It's not that strong," I said, the buzz barely noticeable in the back of my mind. "You could have one."

  "I'll have a beer at the end of the night when you're back in the castle," he said. "Some of us still have to remain vigilant."

  "A beer, hm?" I said, sipping. "Learn something new about you every day, Felix."

  Luard made a noise of surprise and dragged us into a tent filled with paintings. Landscapes of Forcadel, ships in the bay, and more paintings of my face. The artist proudly stood in front of his work, beckoning Luard and Katarine closer.

  "They say hanging a painting of the queen will bring you luck," he said.

  Felix caught my eye and I had to turn away to keep from laughing. The man had painted my face fifty times but didn't notice me standing in his shop. My laughter quickly fell away when I saw the back room. A painting of a hooded figure standing in the moonlight hung in the center. But when I reached the back of the room, there wasn't just one—there were hundreds. Big paintings, small paintings. Plates, vases, canvases, even a small stone. All with The Veil.

  "Ah, you like these?" he said, appearing at my side.

  "It's incredible," I said, choking back tears.

  "She was incredible. She saved my life six months ago from a band of thieves. I was returning home late from my gallery and I was jumped. She appeared like an angel from the heavens, but she fought like a devil. Right hook, left hook!" The man mimicked a punch. "Upper cut! And before my eyes, all seven men were down."

  I was now very sure this was an exaggeration, because the most I'd ever been able to take at once was four. And they were teenagers.

  "That day, I dedicated my life to painting her. To let everyone know what a hero we had walking amongst us." He looked to me. "Why are you crying, Highness?"

  It was probably the turtoil, but seeing these paintings brought a lump to my throat and a tear down my cheek. I wiped it away hastily and forced a smile onto my face.

  "It's just so beautiful. Have you seen The Veil recently?"

  "Oh, no. She comes and goes as she pleases. But I know, when I'm in trouble again, she will come help me. Because that's what she is."

  The tears were now threatening to become all-out sobs. "I'm sure she will."

  "B—oh, here you are," Felix said, throwing back the flap. "I've been looking all over for you…" He trailed off when he saw my face, and then what I was looking at. "Come on, the group is ready to move on."

  I nodded and thanked the man, slipping a gold coin into his hand and promising him I would buy one of his paintings after the festival.

  "That was…something," Felix said. "Did he say something to you? Are you all right?"

  "Fine," I said, dejectedly. "Come on, let's get moving."

  I wasn't in a mood to continue with the festival, the joyous air fell flat on my sadness. But I couldn't deprive my guard of their fun, so I followed along behind them as they continued to explore the festival.

  Chapter 40

  "What really happened in that tent?" Felix asked, falling into step beside me.

  "I saved him, apparently, from some muggers. And he's been painting my likeness ever since." I wiped my eye before another tear fell. "It just…it reminded me of the good I used to do. Of how I used to make a real difference for people." I laughed. "Plus, I'm sure the turtoil has something to do with it."

  "You said they weren't that strong," Felix said.

  I lifted a shoulder.

  "What you missed, Brynn, was the entire front of the gallery. Where your face—your real face—was front and center. You may have been a hero to him as The Veil, but you will be a hero to everyone as queen. I promise." He nudged me. "There's no way you couldn't be, not with your stubborn nature."

  I laughed and glanced around at the festival once more. I'd done my best to ignore my face plastered inside every tent, but there it was. Perhaps he was right.

  "I just wish I could've taken down Lord Beswick," I said. "I feel like I failed."

  "You haven't failed, Brynn. You have all the time in the world, and more resources as queen."

  "But without those contracts, I can't prove a thing," I said. "And you know that Kulka and Severia aren't going to give them up."

  "Here," Joella said, appearing with three cups of turtoil. "Buck up."

  I took the cup gingerly and stared into the red liquid. Those were the first words Joella had spoken to me since the Beswick incident.

  "Thank you," I said, taking a hesitant sip. "Will you sit with us?"

  She nodded and plopped down on the other side of me. "It's a good day to be here. The full festival won't begin until tomorrow, so it's not as crowded as usual."

  "This isn't crowded?" I asked.

  "I take it you never went?" Felix asked.

  "It's well-lit and well-guarded." I took a drink. "It didn't really need my help so I never came as The Veil. And when I was a girl, my father wouldn't let us go."

  "Oh, we went," Felix said with a devilish grin. "August and I would sneak out and get completely wasted."

  I turned fully to him. "Are you serious? You snuck out?"

  "Of course, your brother was a terrible influence." He laughed. "It's part of the reason I'm so good at catching you. I know all the exits and entrances to the castle. By heart."

  "Not all the exits," I said coyly, but the smile evaporated from my face. Beswick and Zuriel had turned a corner, deep in conversation and trailed by five armed guards. Felix rested his hand on my thigh, squeezing once before standing and helping me up.

  "Ah, Princess!" Zuriel said, his face blossoming into a grin. "And Captain. So wonderful to see you two out and about, enjoying the festivities. Especially considering all the attempts on your life recently."

  "It's more important to be seen amongst my people," I said through gritted teeth.

  "And
also," Felix interjected, "it would've been criminal to miss such a wonderful festival."

  "Too right you are," Zuriel said with a firm nod. "I was just conferring with Lord Beswick. This festival is merely the beginning. We will have shows and carnivals and, of course, all the coronation festivities to attend."

  "It will be masterful," Beswick said to me. "I spared no expense in putting this on for you."

  My cup nearly fell out of my hand. "You paid for this?"

  "But of course!" He tilted his head. "It's my honor to be a sponsor, especially this year, when it's so important that our kingdom celebrate our new queen."

  My vigilante mind spun rapidly, wondering what he might be covering up, or how this might be connected to something nefarious, but Felix placed a calming hand over mine and I forced myself to smile.

  "I know the people appreciate your generosity," I said, almost automatically. But I would not thank the man. Not in this lifetime anyway.

  "I hope, Princess, that you might consider extending an invitation to Lord Beswick for your coronation dinner," Zuriel said, glancing at the man and back to me. "As he has been so generous with the festivities."

  "The princess will consider it," Felix said with a tight smile. "But we should really be getting back."

  Beswick and Zuriel bowed, the former's gaze landing on Joella for a second longer than necessary, and walked away.

  Once he was out of earshot, I exhaled so loud, it caught the attention of several passersby.

  "I hate that son of a bitch," I said, downing the entire turtoil in one gulp and wishing it had more brandy in it. "I hate him so much I could scream."

  "Likewise," Joella said, glaring at his retreating back.

  "Third," Felix said.

  "And yet, you won't let me do anything about him," I replied. "Not even now, when there's a thousand people packed into a small square. When I could oh-so-easily pickpocket him and get those contracts out of his jacket pocket."

  "You wouldn't get close," Joella said. "Besides that, he knows your face."

  "Yeah, but maybe there's a way after all," I said, my heartbeat thumping as Beswick entered a large tent in the back of the festival with half-dressed girls beckoning men to come inside.

  "Brynna…" Felix said with a heavy sigh.

  "Felix, listen to me," I said, grabbing his arm and resting my other hand on his chest. "I have an idea, and I promise you Beswick won't even know I was there."

  He didn't say no, but he didn't look convinced.

  "Please, just…trust me," I whispered. "I know—I know—I can do this. And this is my last shot to get to him. Please."

  I locked gazes with him, pouring every bit of my desperation into my eyes and praying he would be swayed. Somewhere in the depths of those brown pools was the man who'd let me roam free for a few blessed weeks, the same one who'd seen me dispatch villains and common criminals.

  Slowly, he lifted his hand to cover mine on his chest. "Tell me your plan."

  I could barely contain my excitement as Felix and I waited behind Titta's tent for Joella to retrieve her. Soft music echoed from inside the space, with the occasional giggle or moan. Felix wore a tempered look of disapproval with crossed arms—a warning that he was ready to put a stop to my plan if he felt it was too risky.

  Titta rounded the corner then stopped short. "Oh! Princess, this is a surprise. Or are you here on Veil business?"

  "Afternoon, Titta. I'm here on business," I said with a vigilante-like grin. "I saw Lord Beswick come into your establishment a few moments ago."

  "Ugh, yes. I have to pay my girls extra to entertain that ogre." She made a face, but it faded quickly to one of curiosity. "And I suppose you'd like to join them?"

  "Not exactly," I said. "He knows my face, and unlike you, hasn't connected the dots. But if one of your girls could see fit to get him to take his jacket off, even for a moment, I would be very appreciative."

  Titta nodded slowly. "And what else will you give me for this favor?"

  I glanced at Felix and he nodded. "I have nothing to give right now but a promise of a future favor. After all, next week, I'll be in a better position."

  Her eyes lit up. "Now that is interesting. I've been looking to start another club, but your city keeps declining my request."

  "Ah, well." I waited for Felix to say something. When he didn't, I grinned. "I will make sure it's approved."

  "Excellent," Titta said. "Tired of Beswick getting all the good buildings in this town, anyway. He's in the back, paid for an hour session. Follow me."

  I shared an excited look with Felix, who shook his head in disgust. "What? No snarky comment about how I shouldn't promise things to people?"

  "I'm merely letting you enjoy the moment," he replied. "We'll save the lectures for later. I'm sure Vernice will love that you're giving special treatment to a skin bar."

  "Please, she's a frequent patron," I said with an eye roll. "Which I'll be glad to remind her of if she says anything."

  Based on the muscle twitching in his jaw, he had another comment ready, but he kept quiet as Titta opened the back flap to her tent and let us inside. Unlike the large room in her dance hall, the tent was segmented into private rooms. She put her finger to her lips and pointed at one of them, letting us into the empty space next to it.

  "Thank you," I whispered as she left us.

  Beswick's low voice filtered through the white fabric. I lay down at the hem of the fabric and lifted it up just enough to see through. Beswick sat on a chair in the center of the room as two scantily dressed girls swayed their hips around him.

  "Gabriela, why don't you come work for me?" Beswick asked as the girl slid herself over him. "I would pay you extra. I'd even get you out of that little legal trouble you've run into."

  "Oh, Mr. Beswick, you drive a hard bargain," she said, her voice low and breathy. She caught my eye for a split second then returned to her charge. Perhaps Titta had informed her of what was going on because she didn't even give me a second glance.

  "What about you, Amaris?" Beswick asked.

  "Mm, maybe," she said with a grin. "But you'll have to pay me triple to get me to leave Titta's."

  He laughed loudly. "I like a girl who knows her worth."

  I lowered the hem and sat up, chewing on my lip as I thought about what to do next. I lay back down and lifted the fabric then crawled through before Felix could stop me.

  My heart thumped wildly in my chest and I stood upright, and to their credit, neither Gabriela or Amaris even looked in my direction. But Gabriela spun around behind Beswick, running her hands down the front of his body and pressing her chest to the back of his head.

  "Aren't you a little hot?" she purred into his ear. "Perhaps you'd like to take this jacket off?"

  "I thought I had to pay Titta extra for that service?" he said.

  The girls smiled as Amaris sat on his lap, undulating and distracting him while Gabriela came to me. She shook her head and shrugged. I nodded to her and gestured for her to stay put. It was time for me to put my pickpocket skills to the test.

  I pulled off my tunic, leaving just my breast bindings, which were about in the same place as the girls' fabric. Then, making my footfalls soft, I walked up behind Beswick and began swaying, sliding my hands through his greasy hair.

  "Mm," he moaned, and it took everything not to vomit on him. Amaris caught my eye and slid off his lap, to stand between his legs, bending over and giving him a full view of her chest. Keeping my breathing steady, I slid my hands down his chest until they reached his belt buckle then back up.

  My heart stopped when he grabbed my hand, but he merely pressed it against his cheek then, to my horror, kissed my palm. I kept rubbing my other hand over his body, until he finally released me. I had been standing behind him for entirely too long, so it was now or never.

  Barely breathing, I reached into the left pocket and struck gold, yanking out the contracts.

  "Wh—"

  Amaris took the initiative and pressed
her lips to his, climbing on top of his lap. I took two steps back, lightheaded from lack of air, and let Gabriela resume her position. I fell to my knees and crawled out, grasping my chest in relief.

  "Um."

  I looked up at Felix, whose face had gone red.

  Then I remembered my tunic was still in the other room and all I wore was a binding and pants. I slapped the contracts into his hand and lifted the hem of the tent again, grabbing my tunic from the ground and crawling back out.

  We dashed out of Titta's tent, not stopping until we were outside the festival grounds, hidden away in a desolate alley. I gulped in the precious air I'd deprived myself of, from exertion and nerves and, now, excitement as I pulled my tunic back over my head. Then I bent over, grabbing my knees and trying not to vomit.

  "What happened in there?" Felix asked.

  "You don't want to know," I replied, taking a deep breath as I straightened. "But we need to move quickly. Once Beswick finds out those are gone, he'll come for Titta. You should put a few extra guards around her girls until we can get him taken care of."

  Felix hesitated, looking at the envelope in my hand. "Are you sure that's what you need?"

  "I'm…honestly afraid to look," I whispered. "Because I don't want to go back in there and try again."

  He took the paper from me gently, unfolding the pages and reading with a furrowed brow. The longer he read, the more my stomach filled with dread. If I hadn't gotten them, we couldn't arrest him. And then Gabriela, Amaris, even Titta, would be in danger.

  "Brynn," he said, his breath tickling my ear. "You did it."

  A wave of relief washed over me as I yanked the pages from him, reading them five times before the words made sense. It was a contract between Beswick and Ilara to provide security services—and also to import goods without paying tariffs. Illegal and definitely treasonous.

  "See?" Felix said softly. "You're not a failure."

  I actually cried out in relief and dove into Felix's arms, tears welling as he wrapped his arms tightly around me then plucked me off the ground, spinning me around a few times.