Innocent Queen: A Court Intrigue Fantasy (The Forbidden Queen Series Book 2)

by R. J. Vickers

  “Bastards,” Deance said under her breath.

  “I need to court my people’s favor, but I don’t think that will be enough. I need to find some way to undermine the Truthbringers.”

  “Maybe if they do something too extreme, people will realize their mistake,” Baridya said.

  I nodded. “But they’re smart. They won’t do anything too risky until the majority of my citizens support them. How do I push them to act sooner?”

  “You need to trap them, Your Majesty,” Deance said. “To give them no choice but to break the law. If you can get them passed, enact decrees that seem innocuous but would criminalize things you know they’re doing.”

  “That’s a brilliant idea, Deance. How do you know so much about politics?”

  Her eyes glittered with anger. “I’m the bastard daughter of King Lovid—Holden King Dennoric’s father. He tried to hide me away from court, but my mother taught me what I needed to know. It’s all a game, Your Majesty, and whoever realizes it controls the pieces.”

  It surprised me that Deance would admit her illegitimacy so openly; Mother had introduced her as the daughter of a wealthy widow.

  But I didn’t have time to dwell on that now. She was right. I needed to find out what the Truthbringers were doing and make it illegal.

  2

  The Great Southern Road

  B y morning, I had a plan in mind. But I had hardly made it down to breakfast when Baridya arrived with a rolled-up newspaper, her expression grim.

  “What is it?” I whispered.

  “Open it up.”

  I unrolled the Palace Times and froze as I saw the headline.

  KILLER WITH A CROWN

  Just days after Her Majesty Queen Kalleah Reycoran took the throne, a disturbing murder was discovered only steps from the palace gates. Worse still, the murder points to the work of an Extractor. Why else would a perfectly healthy young man perish with no evident cause of death?

  Queen Kalleah has yet to come out with a statement asserting her innocence, but she dispatched her personal guards to the scene of the murder only minutes after it was discovered, and all witnesses were cleared away. It seems obvious she was trying to cover up signs of her involvement.

  Investigators say it is unlikely Queen Kalleah herself murdered the man, given that he was outside Baylore Palace, yet many postulate she operates a hidden network of Extractors within the city, waiting to carry out assassinations at her orders.

  “I’d say it’s likely,” said Detective Grouse. “We’ve always known the palace is full of secrets. They follow their own rules up there, and we’re usually advised to keep our noses out of their affairs. It could stand to reason that they’re harboring other forbidden races. After all, where did Queen Kalleah’s forbidden blood come from? A commoner? Not likely.”

  If the palace is a rat’s nest of forbidden blood, as Detective Grouse thinks, how much more are they hiding? And why did Queen Kalleah order the death of a young man yesterday?

  Some assume the man is a former lover she sought revenge on.

  Others speculate the man was about to bring evidence of a much greater crime to light, and she dealt with him to hide her guilt.

  We can only hope the truth will reveal itself in time. But one thing is certain—this unpleasant business adds a stain to an already troubling new regime.

  I set aside the paper with trembling hands. Any hope of silencing the rumors was now gone.

  “What are you reading that rubbish for?” Mother asked sharply.

  I pushed the newspaper toward her. As her eyes alit on the headline, her expression grew thunderous.

  “I can’t believe this!” I said. “I have yet to come out with a statement asserting my innocence? They make it sound like everyone in the city assumes I’m guilty!”

  “The Palace Times is known to be sensationalist,” my father said dismissively, though he appeared to be reading the article upside down.

  “And the whole point was that there was no evidence! What do they think my guards were covering up?”

  My parents finished reading in silence. The table was mostly empty aside from my parents and ladies-in-waiting, though a few distant relatives near the opposite end watched us furtively.

  “I would have advised against getting your guards involved, had I known,” Mother said at last, turning the headline upside down. “That immediately tied the murder to you. Before it had been mere speculation, but after our family colors were seen at the scene of the crime…you can see why people would talk.”

  “I needed to know if there was any evidence people were hiding,” I said. “I wouldn’t put it past my citizens to cover up someone’s stab wound and claim there was no cause of death. If it’s my word against theirs, when I have no idea what the death looked like—”

  “I understand why you did it,” Mother said. “However, I would recommend consulting us before taking action in future.”

  I bit back my retort. Was I not queen? Should I not have leave to make my own decisions? Or did my parents expect to rule from behind while I sat like a puppet on the throne? They had not seen the hatred in my subjects’ eyes when they pelted me with eggs and rotten fruit. They underestimated my enemies.

  I took the newspaper up to my room after breakfast, Baridya and Deance following, and once we were alone, I scanned the rest of the pages to see if any other articles mentioned me. Near the back, a short announcement listed the time and location of an address from a Truthbringer calling himself the Master—the fact that these were now openly publicized rather than conducted in secret said a great deal about the state of affairs. I left the paper open to that announcement and set it aside.

  “I wonder how many people read the Palace Times,” I muttered.

  “Plenty,” Deance said grimly. “My mother took it every day, along with the Baylore Daily.”

  “Do you have a plan, Your Majesty?” Baridya asked.

  I pushed aside my anger at the lies these reporters spread against me. I had nearly forgotten what I wanted to tell my ladies-in-waiting. “Yes. And you don’t need to call me ‘Your Majesty’ when we’re alone.”

  “Oh. Sorry, Your—” Baridya broke off, blushing.

  “Anyway, I want to send a spy to listen in on the Truthbringers’ next meeting. See what they plan to do next. I tried sneaking into one before, but you need a special ring to attend. I think I know where I can get ahold of one.”

  “I can spy for you,” Deance said. “The Dellgrain family is in deep with the Truthbringers. If I have to say who I am, I can tell the truth and pretend I’m working for you because your enemies planted me here.”

  I blinked at her. “You’re not planning to betray me, are you?”

  “Have I not made it obvious I despise my father?” Deance said tightly. “Why would I betray you?”

  “Sorry. It’s just…I was betrayed recently, by someone I cared for.” I looked down at my hands clasped in my lap. “I haven’t made many friends since coming here, and most of those I thought were allies have proved themselves false.” I had not spoken of this to anyone since the palace vote, yet I found myself wanting to confide in my ladies-in-waiting. They did not flinch at the sight of me. They had chosen my company.

  “That’s awful,” Baridya said. “But don’t worry. I’m from Larkhaven—we don’t discriminate against the forbidden races as much there, so your claim on the throne isn’t as scandalous to us.”

  “I don’t know if you’ve met my half-brother, Prince Dennoric, but he’s a right ass,” Deance said. “I’d love nothing more than to lock him away. He knows who I am, and he loves lording it over me. Trust me, Your Majesty. I have no love for the Dellgrain family, or for the Truthbringers.”

  “How are you planning to get the ring she needs?” Baridya asked.

  “Give me a couple days. This might be tricky.”

  When my ladies-in-waiting left my chambers, I paced at the foot of my bed, trying to work out how I would approach this. Now that I was queen
, I could order Leoth to relinquish his Truthbringers’ ring, but I had to handle it carefully so he didn’t suspect anything.

  Outside, a sleety rain fell. Clouds hung low over the city, painting everything with a dismal grey cast, and whenever I approached the window, I could feel cold radiating into my room. Unlike my tower, though, the cracks around my window were well-sealed, so while the breeze slapped raindrops against the glass, it did not blow through the chamber.

  In truth, I knew I was mostly delaying because I dreaded the thought of facing Leoth. I had not seen him around much since the palace vote, but whenever I passed him, my stomach twisted with loathing. I should have known better. I had seen through his false words at the start, but somehow I had forgotten my caution as the spans went on. His lies had ensnared me.

  At last I forced myself to stop pacing. My pulse was racing, so I sat before my mirror and frowned at my reflection until my anger receded. Then, tucking a strand of hair into place, I went in search of Leoth.

  He did not answer his door when I knocked, and the library was empty. I thought of venturing onto the rooftop balcony, but I did not want to brave the icy sleet.

  Olleack and Nashella were in the sitting-room, sharing tea with a strikingly beautiful young woman I did not recognize, and when Nashella gave me a mocking look, I retreated hastily.

  As a last resort, I sought out my parents, who were in the downstairs study as usual. The study was supposed to belong to the current ruler, but as I had an office in my royal suite upstairs, I allowed my parents to continue working there. Pausing outside the door, I realized even that decision supported the idea that I was merely sitting the throne while my parents ruled in truth. Maybe I should insist on taking over the office, though it might offend my father.

  But I did not have time to worry about that now. Steeling myself, I entered without knocking.

  “Kalleah,” my father said. “Do you have a moment? I want to be sure you agree to the final terms of this law before we send it to the scribes to be drafted up properly.”

  “Do you know where Leoth is?”

  “Whatever do you need him for?”

  I fought to keep my face blank. “He is in deep with the Truthbringers. I need to ask if he knows anything about yesterday’s murder.”

  “Oh, Kalleah,” Mother said. “People will talk. There is little we can do about it, save to hold our heads high and ensure our actions are above reproach. The murder has nothing to do with you, and it will fade from people’s minds before long if we let the matter rest.”

  “Where is Leoth?” I insisted.

  “I haven’t seen him since your coronation,” my father said gruffly. “Maybe he has gone to his mother’s countryside retreat. He is no longer needed in Baylore now he has lost his bid for the throne.”

  I swallowed my surprise. It was a relief to be free of him, but a small part of me was disappointed.

  “May we go over the proposals?”

  “Fine.” I dropped into the chair opposite my parents, incensed that they were treating me like a child. While my father explained the first law he had put together, my mind wandered. What was Leoth doing away from court? It seemed very suspicious. Was he meeting with the leader of the Truthbringers even now, sharing my secrets and plotting my downfall?

  “What do you think?” my father asked, snapping me from my thoughts. “Is there anything you wanted to add to the terms?”

  “No, no, it’s fine,” I said quickly. “Is Ricardin still around? We need to finalize the conditions of our decree to begin work on the Great Southern Road.”

  “That will be a delicate proposition,” my father said. “We will need to increase taxes to fund the road, which could turn the populace against you further still. If you ask Ricardin to attend us, we will ensure—”

  “No,” I said. “I spent spans working with Mother while you were away. I know the language of law, and I am perfectly capable of doing this myself. Am I the ruler of Itrea, or are you?”

  “I only wish to help,” my father said. He looked very tired, and I realized his hair was greyer than it had been when I first reached Baylore just half a year ago. “I remember what it felt like when I first took the throne. Even though I had observed my holden monarchs for years before I finally stepped up, nothing could have prepared me to hold power over an entire country.”

  I immediately regretted snapping at him. “I’m sorry. I just feel like you don’t trust me.”

  “I do, Kalleah. I voted for you, did I not? I could have thrown my support behind Leoth, but I did not. I trust that you will make a wonderful queen. However, I don’t want to leave you fighting off enemies on all sides without help. These first spans are crucial, so we must work together to ensure you win the support you need.”

  I nodded. “I understand. But I still want to draft the decree for the Great Southern Road. You can read it over once I finish.”

  “Very well.”

  “I must go speak to Ricardin now. I promised to begin this project as soon as I took the throne, and he will be anxious to travel back to King’s Port.”

  My father inclined his head. I gathered my skirts and left the study, my pulse still racing despite my measured words. I understood why my father wanted to help, especially with the country in such a fragile state, but it still grated at me. I knew what I was doing. I had to prove to my parents that I could stand on my own.

  * * *

  With the help of my guards, I arranged a meeting with Ricardin in a plush, cozy tearoom in the historic wing. As before, he arrived alone, while I was surrounded by my usual contingent of guards. Baridya and Deance accompanied me, ostensibly helping serve tea and delicate pastries, though I had also asked them to watch Ricardin carefully. If they were truly as dedicated to me as they claimed, I could use them as my eyes and ears around the palace.

  “Your Majesty,” Ricardin said, raising his teacup to me. “May I congratulate you on your ascension?”

  “Thank you.” Did I detect a hint of irony in his voice? I had bribed his lady friends for their vote—would he use that against me? That was a secret I would not admit to anyone. “I have come to discuss terms for the Great Southern Road.”

  “Ah, I see. Strictly business, then. And here I thought you merely wished to enjoy my company.”

  “I thought you would be anxious to start work on the project.”

  He smiled slyly. “Of course. I was merely teasing.”

  I moved the tray of dainty pastries aside and set a clean parchment on the table. “Tell me your parameters. How much will the full project cost? Where exactly will we draw the line between our portion of the road and yours? Who will take charge of policing the road? And how long do you genuinely expect it to take? No optimistic estimates this time, please.”

  Ricardin chuckled. “Very wise, Your Majesty. Let’s see.” He dug in one pocket and produced two ragged scraps of paper. “These are the official estimates from our governor, Lord Ingol, and these are my best guesses.”

  “They don’t match?”

  “Lord Ingol has not traveled the length of Elygian River. His estimates were based on what we could calculate from maps, not on the actual terrain.”

  I scanned the two papers. Both budget estimates were similar—four million varlins for one, and four and a half million for the other—but Ricardin had cut his governor’s estimated time for completion by two years.

  “Why are you so optimistic with your time estimate?”

  “Because a farm road follows the Elygian River south of Sumarin for another twenty leagues. The road doesn’t show on any map, so we didn’t include it in our original calculations, but it will be very easy to bring it up to standard. That region receives very little rain, so the ground is solid and unlikely to form deep ruts.”

  “And will we be able to include that portion of road in our half of the project?”

  “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

  “Why are you so generous?”

  Ricardin spread his hands
and gave me a winning smile. “Do you doubt my motives?”

  “No, but—”

  “Our portion of the Great Southern Road will begin not far from King’s Port. Your crew, on the other hand, will have to travel nearly a hundred leagues to reach the top portion. Since you will be fielding the extra expense of transportation, it seems only fair to give you an advantage.”

  “Very well, then.”

  We spent the next two hours finalizing the terms of our arrangement. Ricardin made no allusions to my bribe, so I hoped it meant he would forget the matter. He had gotten what he wanted, and so had I.

  “It would help if you sent someone with political sway to finalize negotiations on our end,” Ricardin said when we finally packed away our notes. “Lord Ingol would take it as a sign of your commitment to the project. This is a great gamble on both our parts, and I don’t want anything to go wrong.”

  “I see. I’ll find someone suitable to send before the Ilkayumsday vote.”

  * * *

  Leoth did not appear for breakfast the next morning, and with the Ilkayumsday vote only two days away, I took the laws my parents had drafted up to my room so I could read them over in advance. Once a quarter, the current ruler and the four holden monarchs gathered to vote on new laws. The current ruler held the most authority, so I needed just one other to vote for my laws in order for them to pass. Unfortunately, I knew nothing about the other rulers joining me for this cycle. This first vote would be a good chance to gauge their willingness to work with me.

  When I emerged from my suite for lunch, I stopped abruptly in the doorway.

  Leoth was back, and he had an arm around the waist of the striking young woman I had seen with his parents yesterday. He appeared to be leading her out for a stroll around the palace.

  “Leoth,” I said coldly.

  He turned with a start and gave me a dark look. Then his expression smoothed.