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The next time the queen strolled past, ladies in tow, the pretty blond woman with the deep brown eyes was gone. Katina had received a note from her village about a death in the family, and the queen had
given her permission to travel home.
The queen’s ladies usually walked in pairs. The solitary woman at the back was a glaring difference.
Hopefully enough of a difference to play in the queen’s mind.
For the next two nights, I stole food from the kitchen and escorted Tibris into the dungeon so he could work on Asinia. And each day, I chewed my nails until they bled, conscious of Gods Day looming. I had a little over three weeks left, and I still didn’t have a clear plan.
Finally, I received the answer I needed.
One of Vicer’s rebels had agreed to volunteer for my plan. If this worked, I could be one step closer to freeing Asinia and Demos. My stomach churned. If it didn’t work, I could get someone punished and still end up in the same position I was now.
With nothing.
Right now, Asinia was still far too weak to travel. Tibris had said the attempt would kill her. While I’d been keeping an eye out for the hidden entrance to the tunnel each time I was in the dungeon, I hadn’t yet found anything hopeful.
Frustration tightened my muscles. Everything was taking too long. I knew I needed patience—knew if we moved without careful preparation, we were dead. But it seemed as if time was crawling, even as each second that passed was another second closer to Gods Day.
I burned Vicer’s note and made sure I was in position, mopping the castle entrance. It took at least an hour for the queen to appear, ready to get into the large horseless carriage waiting outside. According to Auria, she was going to the market with her ladies.
I slid out of the way when I heard her appear. My head was down, arms behind my back when she strolled past, the train of her long silver dress trailing behind her.
The back of my neck turned slick with sweat. Vicer hadn’t told me who to look out for. I could admit it was much safer that way. The maid walked toward the queen with her lamp in her hands, and I went still as I recognized her light-blond hair.
Wila.
Her eyes held nothing but cold retribution. And the lamp she carried held a flame that burned purple at the center.
A flame that only I could put out.
Wila stumbled once, seemed to catch herself, then tripped over her feet once more.
The queen passed Wila right as the lamp landed on the train of her dress.
The queen kept walking.
And her dress burst into flames.
The queen whirled, the flames shooting higher. A desperate scream left her throat, and for a moment, I was tempted to let her burn to death right there.
But that wasn’t part of the plan.
Yanking on the thread of my magic, I froze everyone but myself and the queen.
She let out another choked scream, and I launched forward, pouring my bucket of water—carefully mixed with the damask weed powder Vicer had
sourced—onto her dress, making sure to douse the lamp.
Time unfroze, and the guards were suddenly standing in front of me, swords out.
“What in the gods…”
The queen attempted to turn, but I was standing on the long train of her dress. I jumped off it, and her eyes met mine, cool and surprisingly clear. Then she was staring down at the scorched ruin of her dress. The fire had spread high enough that it would have engulfed her within seconds.
One of the guards called for a healer. The queen ignored him. “Name, girl.”
“Setella, Your Majesty.”
The queen’s eyes turned ice-cold as she swept her gaze over everyone else surrounding her. The people I’d frozen while the queen panicked. In her mind, the guards had been too slow to move, her ladies had gawked, and any onlookers had likely secretly hoped she burned to death, the way her husband ordered for so many people in this kingdom.
I saw the moment she realized she was achingly alone. And my blood thrilled at it.
“What were all of you doing while this servant was helping?” Stuttering, helpless looks, blood draining from terror-stricken faces. The queen held up her hand. Everyone went silent.
“You,” she said, pointing at me. “You will come to my quarters after lunch.”
I bowed my head, my heart slamming against my ribs. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Her attention turned to Wila. “And what exactly were you doing?” “I tripped, Your Majesty. The floor is uneven—”
The queen slapped her across the face. I flinched. Wila’s expression turned blank.
“Perhaps some time in my husband’s dungeon will improve your agility.”
The guard closest to Wila stalked toward her. Wila’s eyes met mine for a single moment, and then she was dragged away, her eyes burning even brighter.
My fault. The dungeons were an overreaction—the queen lashing out. I hadn’t anticipated it, and now Wila would suffer the consequences.
I turned to the queen. Her eyes were darkly satisfied as she watched the guards take Wila away.
I wished I could have let the bitch burn.
The queen turned and stalked back toward her rooms. Obviously, there would be no trip to the market today. Her ladies followed her, whispering among themselves.
I finished mopping the floors, conscious of the eyes on me. Minutes ago, I’d been just another maid. One only trusted with cleaning the floors. Now, I had the queen’s attention, which meant I also had everyone else’s too.
Auria ate lunch with me in the kitchen. She’d charmed the cook into giving us a piece of cake to share, and we sat in one corner, away from the worst of the noise.
“Wila never seemed clumsy before,” Auria said, her expression solemn.
Our eyes met, and she angled her head. “I hope she’s okay.”
My memory provided me with Wila’s face and the banked rage in her eyes. “I hope so too.”
Auria took a neat bite. “What do you think the queen wants?” “I have no idea. But I should go.”
Gods, I hoped it was worth it.
“Let me fix your hair first. And your apron is filthy. Take mine.”
Auria shoved pins into my hair, rolling it up into a neat bun. Whipping off her apron, she switched it for mine before pronouncing me ready. My chest clenched. I didn’t know what I’d do without Auria. She was one of the kindest people I’d ever met.
“Thank you.” “Good luck.”
The queen’s guards had obviously been told to expect me, because they stepped aside when I approached her chambers. My stomach roiled with nerves as I knocked on her door.
“Enter.”
I stepped inside, my gaze immediately finding the queen, who was now dressed in gold, sitting next to the window. Her chambers were in the eastern wing of the castle, overlooking a lush garden. The scents of rose and mint teased my nostrils.
Unlike the maroon and gold of the rest of the castle, the queen’s chambers were all silver and blue. Silver mirrors lined the opposite wall,
reflecting the light and making the room look even bigger.
My gaze caught on one of those mirrors. It hung in the center of the wall, the bottom edge almost hitting the floor, while the top brushed the ceiling, at least two foot-spans above my head.
The silver edges surrounded a glass so clear, it felt as if I could walk through it and into a new world.
But it was the blue jewel in the silver setting at the top of the mirror that made me suck in a sharp breath.
“A gift from my husband,” the queen said, and I blushed. I’d been staring. She turned away, murmuring to one of her ladies, and I gawked at the remaining walls and the high ceiling, all painted in fine, detailed patterns.
The fire was so large, both Tibris and I could have stood inside it, and the room was almost stiflingly warm as the flames roared.
“Come closer,” the queen ordered.
I buried my shaking hands in the folds of my dress and complied, ignoring the ladies as they filed in, sitting on the long sofa and plush armchairs near the queen. She looked older up close, with deep lines etched between her brows. But she was incredibly beautiful with her glossy hair and dewy skin.
“Where did you say you were from?” “Mistrun, Your Majesty.”
She nodded dismissively, her gaze thoughtful. “You were quick to act today.”
“It’s my nature, Your Majesty.”
“So it seems. Oh, do sit down. I keep informal chambers.” It felt like a trick, but I sat on the closest chair.
“Tell me about yourself.”
If I lived through the next few days, I would kiss Vicer on the mouth. His insistence on us memorizing even the smallest details was the only reason I was able to instantly respond to the queen’s questions.
So I smiled and told her everything I’d learned. My father was a woodworker, originally from the city. He’d met my mother while trading and moved to Mistrun to live since she’d refused to leave her aging parents. I had one brother, who was also working in the castle, and our parents missed us very much, but they understood the opportunity we’d been given.
It wasn’t unusual for me to be still living at home since I hadn’t completed the Gifting. But the queen frowned when I mentioned Loukas hadn’t yet married.
A line of sweat dripped down my neck, along my spine, and settled in the hollow of my lower back. I didn’t dare show any signs of discomfort.
“My brother was engaged, but it wasn’t a good fit. The ending of that engagement was a mutual decision.”
I had to give Vicer credit. He really had covered everything. If the queen cared to investigate, her people would find a woman from Mistrun who would swear she had been engaged to a man named Loukas.
Finally, the queen waved her hand for more tea. One of the servants jumped forward, handing her a cup.
“Can you read?” the queen asked. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Sew?”
I barely hid a wince. “I can, although my stitches need some work.” One of the ladies snorted. I ignored her.
“Can you sing?”
I couldn’t carry a tune to save my life. The fine edge of panic sliced at me like a blade.
The queen sighed at my silence. “Well, your hair is certainly drab, but you have remarkably delicate features for a peasant.”
Gods, I hated this woman. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“One of my ladies was recently called home. A death in the family. She won’t be back for weeks. There is a reason I have six ladies. Six is a number that is blessed by the gods. Five?” Her expression darkened. “Five is nothing but bad luck. You will step into Katina’s place until she returns.”
I let my mouth fall open. “This is…incredibly kind of you, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, well, many will say I tend toward unusual decisions when it comes to those around me. But I value loyalty and character above all. A peasant with good character may be turned into a lady, but it is much more difficult to take a lady and embed good character. Is that not so, Madinia?”
Madinia lifted her head, red hair gleaming in the light, her eyes bored. “Quite, Your Majesty.”
The queen pulled a bell next to her, and several maids appeared. I didn’t recognize them, but it was likely they slept in a room near me.
“Have her cleaned up and dressed appropriately. We’ll start lessons later today. I do so love a project.”
That was something I’d counted on. And yet rage coursed through me as I slowly stood. I didn’t yet know if the queen was aware of just how her husband had kept most of their people almost powerless. But I did know that she knew he had hundreds—if not thousands—of his subjects executed each year. And yet, she needed a project.
I beamed at the queen in an attempt to convey shocked awe and gratitude, but she was already turning away.
Ivene’s voice played through my head. “In order to understand the elite, you must become like them. The queen has long been lonely, afraid, weak.”
“Come with me,” one of the maids murmured, and I followed her out of the queen’s chambers. She led me back toward the servants’ quarters, but instead of heading downstairs, we continued walking.
“Her Majesty likes her ladies to be within reach,” the maid said coolly, pushing a strand of blond hair off her face.
“My name is Setella,” I said. “I know.”
I winced. I couldn’t blame her for being upset. I’d been here for mere days, and in her eyes, I’d gained one of the most coveted positions in the castle through sheer luck.
I would hate me too.
Another maid had followed me in. “I’m Erea,” she told me. She had curly dark hair and a chipped tooth that showed when she smiled. “This is Daselis.” She gestured to the other woman.
Daselis ignored her and pushed open the door. “Well?” Daselis snapped. “In.”
I stepped inside. A bed took up most of the room, several times larger than the one I’d been sleeping in each night. It was piled with pillows and furs, while a fire crackled on the other side of the room.
“This is your new room,” Erea sighed. “Isn’t it lovely?”
“I’m to…sleep here?” It was lovely. Beautiful, in fact. And Wila was in the dungeon, thanks to my plan.
“Not before you wash the filth from your skin,” Daselis muttered, stalking into the attached bathing room.
The sound of running water almost made me sigh. I was covered in grime at this point, with barely enough time each night to hand-wash in the small bathing room all the maids shared. I hadn’t been lucky enough to take another bath in the servants’ bathing rooms.
“I’ll pick your dress,” Erea whispered. “You better go clean up. Daselis can be…difficult.”
Even though I’d planned this for a larger reason, guilt burrowed into my gut when I walked in to find Daselis casting a longing look at my bath.
“Remove your jewelry,” she said.
My hand immediately clutched at the charmed necklace. “I’d rather not.
It’s okay, I can get it wet.”
“Suit yourself. In,” she said, and I began to strip. She stalked away, returning with several scented oils, which she poured into the water. “Take the pins out of your hair,” she instructed, and I began to slide them out.
“Wet your hair,” she barked when I’d let it down.
Leaning back, I complied. The water turned murky around me, and my cheeks heated.
She just sighed, but some of the rancor had left her expression. “I’ll help you wash it.”
It would be the first time my hair had been washed since I’d dyed it. But I’d been assured the color wouldn’t wash out. “Thank you.” I met her eyes. “I really appreciate it.”
She just nodded, pouring soap into my hair.
In the end, she washed it three times, until it was as clean as it had ever been. The water left in the tub was gray with dirt when I stood up, and Daselis insisted on sending Erea for a bucket of clean water to rinse me off while I attempted to cover myself and shivered.
Finally, she allowed me to dry myself. But if I’d hoped to dress alone, those hopes were quickly crushed.
The dress was a dark gray, embroidered with intricate silver swirls. It was cut in such a way that it would cling to my body.
I stared at it. I’d thought the wool of my maroon dress had been fine. It had certainly been the warmest material I’d ever worn—other than Galon’s cloak. For a moment, his put-upon expression danced across my mind, and my heart twisted.
Where were they now?
“We don’t have time for your daydreaming,” Daselis snapped.
I jolted. She’d been waiting for me to lift my arms, and I threw them into the air, almost hitting her in the face.
Erea muffled a laugh, which was quickly quashed at a glare from Daselis. I slid Erea a tiny smile, and she flashed that crooked tooth at me.
“Ouch,” I winced as Daselis began lacing the dress.
“You have a tiny waist,” she muttered. “The dress was cut to show it off.”
I had a tiny waist because we hadn’t had enough food in my village, and then I’d barely eaten before I’d found the mercenaries in the forest. While Rythos’s cooking had helped me put on some of the weight I’d lost, as soon as I’d heard about Asinia, my stomach had twisted most of the time when I’d attempted to eat.
Daselis went silent, and I realized I’d been scowling. “I didn’t mean to offend,” she said carefully. The closest I’d get to an apology.
“No, it’s okay. It’s just… We didn’t have much food where I grew up.” Understanding flickered in her eyes. “I know what that is like.”
“How did you come to work in the castle?”
Her mouth clamped shut, her expression turning blank. “We need to get you back to the queen. Erea, you can do her hair while I find shoes that will fit.”
Erea smiled at me. “Come sit down.”
I met my eyes in the mirror. Likely, the charmed necklace would begin to fail soon, and with maids paying close attention to how I looked, that could be a fatal mistake. I’d need to reach out to Vicer. If he couldn’t help, I’d find a way to source my own necklace.
We were both quiet as Erea wound my hair into a complicated, braided updo. Finally, she stepped back, a pleased smile on her face.
I’d gotten used to not recognizing myself, with my hair and eyes being so different. But I took a moment to smile at Erea, grateful for freshly washed hair and my clean dress. “You did a wonderful job,” I murmured.
She flushed. “I enjoy it.”
“Time to go,” Daselis said, dropping the heels to the floor in front of me. I slipped them on and stood while she cast a critical look over my form. With a nod, she turned and stalked out the door.
I followed her unsteadily in the heels, my palms sweating.
Being close to the queen would mean I was watched more closely, but I would also have many more opportunities to figure out how to get Asinia out of the dungeon.
Three of the queen’s ladies were daughters of nobles. And two of their fathers were trusted advisers to the king. It was likely the men would often speak of important matters in front of women, assuming they were either too stupid to understand or bored by political talk. Those same women would gossip about it later.
From the way most of the ladies had sneered at me, befriending them was unlikely. But I could stay quiet and listen, soaking up any information that could help. Besides, the queen’s ladies could go almost anywhere in this castle. They sat at royal dinners and danced with the nobility closest to the king.
Just the thought made my stomach swim, but I clenched my fists and trailed after Daselis.
The queen raised her eyebrow, taking me in when I stepped into her room.
“You do good work, Daselis,” she said, and Daselis smiled for the first time since I’d met her.
“We must attend one of my husband’s dinners within the hour, but I do hope you will interest me, Setella. I grow bored with the same topics.” She glanced at her ladies, who hunched their shoulders. “While I would prefer to eat elsewhere, we must join my husband and the rest of the court. The king has a guest and has insisted I attend.”
From the way her mouth twisted, she wasn’t exactly in love with her husband. I noted that information.
The other ladies had been quiet, most of them appearing bored, but they all stood when the queen did. I winced as I realized I was at the head of their line since I’d stupidly positioned myself directly behind the queen.
The woman who stood next to me was slight, with curly blond hair several shades darker than my natural color.
“I’m Lisveth.” She smiled. I smiled back. I’d imagined it would be impossible to befriend any of the queen’s ladies, but Lisveth, at least, seemed welcoming.
“Setella,” I murmured back.
“I remember my first dinner. I was so nervous. I’ll show you where to sit.”
One of the other women snorted, and I glanced over my shoulder at Madinia. According to Auria, her father was currently the closest to the king. We filed out of the room, and Madinia walked so close, she was stepping on my heels.
I ground my teeth, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. By the time we reached the dining hall, any nerves I’d felt had been stifled by irritation.
Until the guards opened the doors and the queen stepped into the dining hall. Everyone jumped to their feet and bowed low.
I hesitated, but the other ladies were still moving, so I followed Lisveth, keeping my head down.
I was well aware that I had enemies on all sides. The servants would be incredulous and jealous. The courtiers and nobility would see me as an interesting amusement and a way for the queen to put them in their place.
Look at how little I value you. How much power I have. I can even pluck a servant from obscurity and force you to interact with her.
The queen slowed her steps, until all eyes were on her. Finally, she walked to the table and sat. With a wave of her hand, she gestured for us to sit at the table nearby.
I scanned the royal table. And my eyes met amused green.
I stopped so suddenly, Madinia slammed into my back. She hissed a curse at me, but I was too busy staring at Lorian.
His gaze turned predatory. What?
How?
Why?
“Setella?” Lisveth was glancing between me and the king’s table. “Sorry. First time seeing so many nobles. I’m a little nervous.”
Madinia snorted again, and I moved automatically, sliding myself into the only empty chair. Unfortunately, that put my back to Lorian, and I refused to give him the satisfaction—or draw attention to either one of us— by turning around to glower at him.
How was a mercenary dining with the royal family?
Everyone stood once more, and I scrambled to my feet. The king was walking in. It was the first time I’d seen him, and I swept my gaze over him as I bowed.
Tall and broad-shouldered, Sabium looked like he was at the peak of health. Which he likely was since his healers no doubt used stolen magic from people like my brother. His cheeks were ruddy, though, his eyes so dark they were almost black.
The king gestured for us to lift our heads. We all stayed standing, and the room went silent.
“Today, I would like to welcome Prince Rekja from Gromalia to our court. May this visit pave the way for greater cooperation between our kingdoms for centuries to come.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Lorian’s voice seemed to caress every inch of my skin. For a moment, all I could think about was the way his mouth had felt when he’d kissed me, right before we parted inside the city gates.
Back when I thought he was in the city to find his next client.
I almost laughed at how stupid I’d been. I’d thought Tibris and I were cunning for managing to get into the castle. Of course, Lorian had walked in the front door while pretending to be a prince.
“Be seated,” the king said, and I fumbled for my chair.
One of the other women let out a quiet snort. “As if the king wants to work with those cowardly Gromalian dogs long-term.”
I didn’t look up. If I showed any interest, she would immediately clamp her mouth shut. Luckily, Lisveth lifted her head.
“What do you mean, Alcandre?”
Alcandre heaved a sigh. I didn’t need to look at her to know she was rolling her eyes. “I mean Gromalia turned its back on us during the fae wars. They refused to get involved. They didn’t want to risk losing and the fae turning their attention their way. Luckily, we had the gods on our side. But if there’s one thing I know about our king, it’s that he values our history. King Regner was the one to seek an alliance with Gromalia. King Sabium may need Gromalia to help us shore up our borders, but he’ll make them pay for siding with the fae last time.”
