Drawn in Ash, page 11
Narius snorted. Of course he was. “And the ‘unrest?’”
Paine nodded. “It tapered off in the middle of First Watch, but Zammit reports tensions are still running high. She’s ordered a curfew for the next four days, but there are already crowds forming around the local armory, in the market, and at The Broken Sword Shop, which was apparently looted last night.”
Narius listened to everything Paine said, but with every word, heat built in his chest until he couldn’t contain it anymore. “That woman!” he snapped.
Paine quirked a brow at him. “The queen?”
Narius snorted. “Queen in name only. I never should have married her.”
Paine nodded sagely, but a faint smile flitted across Challix’s face.
“Actually, as messy as this situation may be, the one person who came out of this the best is Everys,” she said.
Narius froze. “What?”
Challix nodded. “Several news organizations conducted surveys. And while there’s the usual heat-to-light ratio, data shows that the majority of Bastion believes the queen’s intentions were good and even laudable. While they aren’t happy with the riot, they appreciated the effort. Several indicated they thought such attempts were long overdue. One poll participant said, and I quote, ‘It’s good we finally have a royal who understands us.’
“Additionally, I’ve been tracking public opinion of you in the past several days. When Queen Viara left, your numbers declined, especially among traditionalist citizens. But once you married Queen Everys, their opinion stabilized. Not only that, but your perception among the more marginalized subjects of the Dynasty improved, even despite the disturbance in Fair Havens.
“Now, granted, the dust is still settling. Their opinions may change in the coming days, but initial reports are promising.” Challix looked on the verge of smiling again. “Say what you will, but it would appear marrying Everys was a smart tactical move, Your Strength.”
Paine glared at Challix in an obvious attempt to silence her. But Narius winced, Everys’s angry words echoing in his ears. You need me a lot more than I need you. It was true. If she walked out on him, the same way Viara had, his reign would be over. Istragon would see to that, and he would likely have those traditionalists at his back.
Narius nodded. “Paine, I am in need of your advice.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“We have to come up with a good apology.”
18
Maybe she should have taken Redtale up on the offer to get out of her room. Everys knew her quarters were huge by anyone’s standards, but she felt like the walls were constricting around her. If she stayed there, they would squeeze the life out of her. By lunch, Everys retreated to her bedroom and flopped down, staring at the ceiling. At least she wouldn’t see the walls coming this way.
Someone knocked at the door, and Trule popped her head inside. Her scales had paled, and she stammered, “Blessed, can you come out here please?”
Everys frowned. Why did the maid look so flustered? She snared a robe and pulled it on, tying a quick knot. When she stepped into the other room, she was glad she did.
Quartus stood in the living room area.
Her mouth immediately went dry. He wore loose-fitting pants and a shirt that was open at the neck, exposing his broad, muscled chest. His hair was tousled, as if he hadn’t combed it. His eyes lit up at the sight of her, and his brilliant smile nearly blinded her.
“I’m sorry to intrude,” he said.
Everys caught herself staring at his chest and forced her gaze to his face. He was here. In her room. Adolescent Everys would likely have been turning cartwheels in excitement, but now her legs felt like they had been locked in place.
“I knew the guards would get you to safety yesterday. But I wanted to see for myself that you were fine.” He took a step closer to her. “You are fine, yes?”
No, not at all. Heat poured through her, from her cheeks into her chest then radiating out to her arms. Those waves of heat were chased by needles of ice that danced across her skin. Everys glanced around and realized that Trule and the other girls had vanished. Just her and Quartus... alone.
“Can I help you?” Without intending it, her voice shifted into shopkeeper mode.
He chuckled, low and throaty. “Only by telling me if you’re all right.”
She shrugged. “As well as can be expected, I suppose.”
“Very good. Then I will—”
Trule scurried back into the room. Her eyes were huge, and she looked on the verge of fainting. Everys frowned. Maybe the girl had a medical condition. She always looked like she was ready to collapse.
But then Narius strode into the room, and Everys understood why the serving girl looked so flustered.
Narius’s expression was calm when he walked in, but when he saw Quartus, his features soured. A crease grew between his brows as his gaze skipped between Everys and his brother and back again.
“Good morning, brother! Come to check on your bride as well?” Quartus’s tone was light and breezy.
“What are you doing here, brother?” Narius practically spit the last word.
“Just trying to be solicitous, that’s all.”
Fire ignited in Narius’s eyes, but he didn’t say anything.
Quartus’s smirk returned. He stepped over to Everys, snatched her hand, and kissed the back of it. “I’ll leave you now. I’m sure you both have much to discuss.”
With that, he slipped out of the room. Trule squeaked an apology—at least, that’s what it sounded like—then retreated from the room.
Narius watched Quartus’s departure, then he turned back to Everys. Questions warred across his features, and Everys could tell he was debating asking them. She glared at him, silently daring him to do so. She was ready for the next round.
But Narius sighed and he seemed to deflate. He held up his hands, as if to block her next words. “I didn’t come here to fight. Instead, I have a proposal.”
She laughed, a mirthless bark. “The proposal should have come before the wedding, don’t you think?”
He blinked, then chuckled. “I suppose it should have, yes.”
Everys’s next retort died in her mouth. Narius had changed. In that instant, when he’d laughed, his expression had softened. He wasn’t the hard-faced warrior, ready for a battle. Instead, he looked—open? Vulnerable? No, that wasn’t quite it. She couldn’t quite explain it, but in that instant, his features had changed into something that gave her pause.
“Regardless, I hope we can talk.” He motioned toward a couch. “Please.”
Everys considered it. Narius’s tone was more respectful than it had been the night before. He seemed genuine enough. Crossing over to the couch, she sat down and adjusted her robe.
He sat down opposite her, a respectable distance between them. He cleared his throat, looking around the room, before finally risking a glance in her direction. He looked shy, almost painfully so.
“For what it’s worth, I am sorry about what I said last night.”
“Which part?” she asked.
His face reddened ever so slightly. “Most of it, actually. I kept replaying it in my mind, and I realized you are correct. I do need you more than you need me. And I have treated you horribly. Certainly not the way you deserve to be treated. You are queen, after all.”
Everys smiled thinly. “And before that, I was still a person, wasn’t I?”
“Of course you were!” he snapped, then sighed. “I don’t want to start this again. Instead, I would hope you could be convinced to stay. At least for a little while longer.”
“And why would I do that?”
“To help your people.” Narius rose, clasping his hands behind his back. He looked every inch a commanding officer delivering a briefing. “I understand your desire to help Fair Havens. I too feel that it is horrible so many of my citizens live in poverty so close to my palace. It is not right or just.”
“And yet the situation persists,” Everys said.
“And admittedly, none of my predecessors have done much to correct the situation.” He continued talking as if she hadn’t said anything. “To my great shame, neither have I. But to your credit, in your first week with the crown, you at least attempted a solution. I... commend you for that.”
Did he just choke on his own words? She was tempted to point it out, but she saw how serious his expression was and decided not to risk it.
“So I propose a deal.” He turned to give her his full attention. “I have significantly more discretionary funds at my disposal. Like you, I’m expected to spend it on frivolous things like attire, decorations, and other luxuries. I have spent very little of it, and the amount has been accruing.”
After seeing his quarters, she believed him.
“If you would be willing to stay here in the palace as my...” He frowned, as if searching for the right word. “...spouse, I would pool my resources with yours to continue your efforts. I believe we can have a lasting impact.”
Everys narrowed her eyes as she studied him. Just the night before, he had lectured her on how improper it would be to do just that sort of thing. “What’s the catch?”
“Excuse me?”
“Last night, there was no way you would have ever agreed to this. Now you’re suggesting it? Why the change?”
Narius mouthed a few words then sighed and sat down on a chair opposite her. “Can I be honest with you?”
She laughed. “If you can’t be honest with your spouse, who can you be honest with?”
He actually smiled at her. “I must admit, I don’t have a lot of experience with that.” He took a deep breath. “I face a lot of pressure in my position, and—”
“No.”
He blinked at her. “Excuse me?”
She was just as surprised as he was. The word had slipped out without her intending to speak. But she leaned forward. “You sound like you’re talking to the press. That’s not honesty. That’s carefully worded stock answers. Be honest.”
He met her gaze and nodded once. “My life is spinning out of control. Things were bad enough when Viara left. I’m... I’m not sure I’d be able to hold on to my throne if another wife left me.”
Everys stared at him, surprised. Once again, Narius’s demeanor had changed. Gone was the stiff, formal soldier, ready to do battle. Instead, he was a young man, worried, maybe even scared. Vulnerable.
As much as she hated to admit it, she felt sorry for him.
“But it’s not just my personal life. There’s been increased... friction between the Dynasty and the Dalark Imperium lately. The tension could escalate into a full-scale war.”
“That’s not what you want?” Everys asked.
He glared at her. “Of course not!”
She held up her hands. “Sorry. But you’re supposed to be the embodiment of the Perfected Warrior. Isn’t that what warriors do?”
He nodded reluctantly. “I suppose so. My father would have. And that’s what Brencis wants too.”
“But you don’t?”
He shook his head. “The Dynasty grew by conquest. War made us who we are. But there comes a time when you’ve conquered more than you can control. I fear we may have reached that point in the Dynasty and possibly even passed it. A war with Dalark may capture their Beachhead, but I fear that will be a short-term gain leading to a larger defeat.”
She almost called him on using stock answers again, but she realized that he was still being honest.
“Hence my offer. Things are barely in balance now. I worry that, if you were to leave me, that would be the tipping point. And no one would fare well if that were to happen.”
That wasn’t entirely true. The nobility would likely do okay. Those with wealth and influence usually did. The people who would be hit hardest would be the folks like her, those trapped in the slums of Bastion and the Dynasty’s other cities.
“That’s why I’m asking you to please stay.” He was practically whispering. “You have no reason to, and quite frankly, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t. And I won’t try to persuade you by talking about doing it ‘for the good of the Dynasty’ or anything like that. Just... please. Stay.”
She frowned. She shouldn’t. There was no reason to.
And yet...
She nodded. “All right. I will.”
He smiled, a genuine smile of relief that lit up his features. Everys sucked in a surprised breath. Quartus may have been gorgeous, but in that moment, Narius wasn’t all that bad either. She winced at the thought. The last thing she wanted to do was find her husband good looking.
“Very good,” Narius said. “I’ll have Paine start drawing up some plans that we can go over when I get back.”
“Get back?” she asked. “From where?”
Narius rose. “A base along the Demilitarized Zone. There was an unfortunate accident there recently. Brencis thinks it’ll be a morale booster if I go there.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
He gaped at her, and she couldn’t blame him. What was her problem? She seemed to talk first and think later. But even as she wanted to curl up and die for saying it, she kept on talking.
“I mean, if one royal is a morale boost, think what two would do. And it’d probably be good if the two of us were seen in public, wouldn’t it? There are going to be people who think you’re mad at me after what happened in Fair Havens, and this would show them that everything is okay. Well, not okay, but—”
Shut up, Everys. She clamped her mouth shut.
Much to her surprise, he nodded. “I would appreciate the company. We leave tomorrow morning at the beginning of Second Watch.”
“I’ll be ready.”
He nodded again, a gesture that almost looked like a salute.
“And thank you, Everys. I appreciate your help. With all of this.”
Then he was gone, his words hanging in the air.
Everys let out a long, stuttering breath. Then she stood up. “Trule, get back in here! I need your help!”
If she was going to go to a warzone, she wanted to at least look the part.
19
Redtale was not happy when she learned of Everys’s travel plans.
“No queen has ever gone to an active military base. Especially not one in the Demilitarized Zone,” she said.
Everys examined herself in the mirror. Trule had found a great outfit for her, a pants and tunic combination that was a simple tan color. But there was brilliant blue piping along the legs and arms to make her stand out. Trule had assured her the clothing represented the most recent fashions out of Ksann, wherever that was. Everys thought it was perfect. No frills, but still regal.
“Besides,” Redtale continued. “I couldn’t make the proper arrangements for your security. The only guard from your detail going is Kevtho, and he won’t be enough.”
“Redtale, the king’s own guard have arranged the security. If they’re allowing him to go, it must be safe.”
Redtale shook her head. “Not the same thing, Blessed. The king served in the military. He’ll know what to do if the situation becomes dangerous. You won’t. Plus, if Dalark learns you’re both across the border, they’re liable to get frisky.”
Everys considered the back of the outfit. The tailor had stitched a pattern across her shoulders that resembled camouflage but didn’t cause the material to bunch up. “I’ll be fine.”
Redtale grunted. “If Matron Halis were here, she’d make you see reason.”
Everys frowned. “Any word on where she went?”
She shook her head. “We know she went to the Bastion airhub and boarded a skimmer for Olecc. Her family lives there. We have footage of her leaving the Olecc hub, but then she disappeared. Local constables have been turning Olecc upside down but haven’t found a trace of her.”
Trule sniffled from her perch by the mirror. Everys couldn’t blame her. Since Halis disappeared, Trule had stepped in to do Halis’s work as well as her own. The girl was doing fine, but it was a lot of responsibility for someone so young.
“Did we find out who was sick?”
“That’s the thing. Mother’s fine. Father too. And they both claim that they hadn’t spoken with Halis for a month.”
Now that was troubling. If that were true, why did Halis leave the palace at all? Everys’s stomach twisted.
Redtale must have read the worry on her face. “We’re doing our best to track her down.”
The door to her quarters banged open, and a squad of guardsmen marched in. Unlike Redtale and her troops, these guards wore patches marking them as part of Narius’s detail. Their leader gave Everys a cursory examination, then sneered.
“She’s not ready yet?” His voice was harsh with a northern highlands accent. “Expected better of you, Redtale.”
Redtale bristled. “I wouldn’t be too worried, Zar. My lady’s a lot tougher than some of the ones in your squad.”
Everys froze. Why would Redtale say something so nasty to her fellow guards? Her gaze darted to the king’s guards and braced herself.
Much to her surprise, their leader just guffawed and shook his head. Then he turned to her.
“Skimmer leaves in an hour, Blessed. And don’t worry. You’ll be in good hands.” Zar gave Redtale a pointed look. “Unlike now.”
With that, Zar left, followed by his men.
“Friend of yours?” Everys asked.
Redtale chuckled. “Not especially. There’s always been something of a friendly rivalry between the queen’s and king’s guards. They yank our horns, we drop a rock on their heads, that sort of thing.”
Everys’s eyes widened. Were those Ixactl idioms? She hoped so. She didn’t want to dodge any falling rocks.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, Blessed, I’m going to give the skimmer a once-over before you leave. Not because Zar didn’t do it right, but to make him think that I think he didn’t.”
She strode out of the room. Everys let out a shuddering breath and turned back to the mirror. One hour. One more hour before she would head for a warzone.
