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

by R. J. Vickers

  “Your Majesty.” His voice was dripping with the same mocking charm that he had first approached me with. “I don’t believe you’ve met Lady Eshaline. I have begun courting her just recently.”

  Courting her? I blinked. Had I heard him right? “I need to talk with you later,” I said, my voice hard. He didn’t deserve to see how much that hurt. “Meet me in the king’s study this afternoon.”

  “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He tightened his grip around the woman’s waist. “Come, Lady Eshaline. Shall we be off before anyone else detains us?”

  “Oh, it’s not a bother at all,” she said in light, musical tones.

  I hated her.

  When they were gone, I stared down the corridor after them for several more minutes, seething.

  Leoth had never courted anyone before. He had flirted and charmed and seduced, but not courted. What had changed? Had he chosen this girl—this unfairly beautiful girl, with her delicate nose and rich brown skin and large eyes—simply to spite me?

  * * *

  By the time Leoth joined me in the king’s study—my parents were having tea with Ellarie and did not need it for the time being—I had second-guessed myself and obsessed over Lady Eshaline so much that words fled me.

  “Your Majesty,” Leoth said, giving me a shallow bow from behind the great wooden desk.

  It was painful having him this close. “Please close the door,” I said stiffly.

  “Your Majesty, do you really think—”

  “Just do it.”

  He obeyed with a sigh. “What is this about?”

  I nearly asked him about Lady Eshaline, but I clamped my mouth shut before the words came out. That was none of my concern. “I need you to hand over your Truthbringers’ ring.”

  Anger flashed in his eyes before he smoothed his expression. “What the plagues do you need that for?”

  “The Truthbringers are treasonous. They are trying to sabotage my rule. I want to make sure you don’t have anything more to do with them.”

  “You know I can just get another ring at the next meeting. They know who I am.”

  “Then I’ll ask for that one as well.” I held out my hand. “Give it to me. That’s an order.”

  Leoth dug in his pocket and reluctantly dropped the heavy gold band onto my palm. “My father will be very curious as to why you demanded this from me.”

  “Your father doesn’t need to hear anything about this. That’s another order.”

  “Oh, I can’t guarantee I won’t accidentally let something slip…”

  I glared at him.

  “Come on, Princess. You’re making ridiculous demands of me, in secret, and then ordering me to keep quiet? I have no loyalty to you. And you have no way of knowing what I tell my father in private. It’s a very dangerous game you play.”

  His words stung, because he was right. I should have thought this through more carefully. “That’s—” I broke off, because an excellent idea had just occurred to me. It would solve all of my problems with Leoth in one go. “Are you still committed to building the great southern road?”

  “What?” Surprise flickered across his face. “Of course. I meant what I said. Even if I had taken the throne, I would have gone ahead with the project.”

  “Hmm. It’s hard to tell sometimes, when every second word that comes out of your mouth is a lie.”

  “I hardly—”

  I held up a hand to silence him. “Ricardin has asked someone to accompany him to King’s Port to finalize the negotiations on that end. I want you to go.” I paused. “That’s an order.”

  Leoth blinked at me. I had expected him to argue, but the look that crossed his face was closer to relief. “Certainly, Your Majesty. I would be glad to.” To my surprise, his tone had lost its undercurrent of sarcasm. “When do I leave?”

  “As soon as we have a chance to vote on it this Ilkayumsday.”

  3

  The Ilkayumsday Vote

  I sought out Ricardin in private to let him know Leoth would travel south with him. It was dangerous sending my greatest enemy on a journey with the man who knew I had bribed my way onto the throne, but up until now, Ricardin had proved his commitment to the project was greater than his scruples. I needed to make it clear what was at stake.

  “Your Majesty, you honor me,” Ricardin said, bowing with a flourish. Without asking for permission, he closed the door behind him and approached. “Do you have any updates on the Great Southern Road?”

  “That’s exactly why I’ve summoned you here,” I said, folding my arms. “I’ve chosen someone to accompany you and conclude negotiations with your governor. Prince Leoth.”

  Ricardin’s eyebrows rose. “Is he not your enemy, Your Majesty? Why would you trust him with this?”

  “I need him out of the city. He’s liable to stir up trouble here. But I think he genuinely does support the Great Southern Road, and he certainly holds authority, so he should serve the purpose well.”

  “Hmm.” Ricardin’s eyebrows were still raised. “It’s a long journey south to King’s Port, Your Majesty. We could end up facing all manner of dangers. It could be that Prince Leoth doesn’t return at all—if that would be convenient for you, Your Majesty.”

  “No! Plagues, no, that’s not what I want at all!” I couldn’t believe Ricardin was suggesting this—so casually, as though he had done it before. “Don’t harm him. I don’t want that. I just need him out of the way for a few spans, and I need you to say nothing of our agreement. Is that understood?”

  “Of course, Your Majesty,” Ricardin said smoothly. “I don’t want to be the one responsible for a civil war.”

  I studied him for another minute, trying to decide if he was telling the truth. He was like an eel, quick to slip from your grasp as soon as you thought you understood him.

  At last I nodded. “Thank you, Ricardin. I hope to have word for you in a few days.”

  As I strode from the room, I realized with a flush of embarrassment that I had responded with unexpected vehemence to Ricardin’s offer. If I hated Leoth as much as I claimed I did, would I not have welcomed the idea? Yet the thought of Leoth’s death terrified me. Somewhere deep within, I still nursed a scrap of affection for that traitorous bastard.

  * * *

  The last two days before the first vote passed in a rush. I could not comprehend why Leoth had agreed so readily to travel with Ricardin. Was he not unhappy at the prospect of leaving Lady Eshaline?

  As much as I tried not to dwell on her, I could not keep her delicate, hateful face from invading my thoughts—I was tormented by images of Leoth kissing her dainty lips, her musical laugh as he told her my failings. I should have known better than to let myself fall for Leoth. I was an Extractor; I could never have a true partner, because my power didn’t allow me to spend more than an hour in another’s presence. Not only was this girl far more beautiful than me, she did not have my curse. My forbidden blood. It was no wonder Leoth had chosen her over me.

  I tried to push these thoughts away, because they weren’t true. Leoth had never chosen me to begin with. He had lied to me and deceived me from the start. I couldn’t wait until he left the city. The very knowledge that he was nearby drove me to distraction.

  When I gave Deance the Truthbringers’ ring, she asked, “Who did you get this from?”

  “Someone who I wish would stop associating with the Truthbringers.”

  She gave me a curious look but did not push the matter.

  “Be very careful, Deance. I can’t have you putting yourself in danger.”

  “Don’t worry. They won’t question me.”

  * * *

  When the time for the vote came at last, Mother and Father escorted me down to the chamber of law with Baridya, Deance, and a handful of guards rounding out our party. I had read the drafted laws now clutched in one hand so many times I had nearly memorized them, but I feared I would forget my arguments as soon as I sat before my holden monarchs.

  “What if they vote again
st me on everything just to spite me?” I whispered to Mother as we strode down the first flight of historic wing stairs.

  “They would be fools to do such a thing,” Mother said. “When each new law is announced, their votes are announced to the public. If they vote against motions the public supports, they will have trouble winning the city election when your first three years come to an end.”

  “Oh.” I was not as confident as Mother in the rationality of my opponents, but I could ask no further questions. We had arrived.

  The chamber of law was a rectangular room with five thrones. The largest throne sat at the rear of the room, with two on either side. At the back of the room, just to the right of the doorway, sat a man with white hair and a white beard down to his chest.

  “Lord Chancellor,” my father said, bowing.

  The man rose and bowed as well. “Your Majesties.”

  “The lord chancellor oversees all voting and mediates in case of disputes,” my father said. “He is impartial, and I trust him greatly. He will explain the proceedings before your first vote today.”

  The Lord Chancellor inclined his head. “You may take a seat, Your Majesty. Have no fear—the holden rulers are new to this as well, and will need guidance the same as any new monarch.”

  “Thank you.” I left my small army of attendants and crossed to the largest throne. An ornate table sat to one side, so I set my laws there and folded my hands in my lap. I was wearing a formal crown for the occasion, and its weight reminded me to sit tall. The room was small—there was no way to move the thrones far enough apart to spare the holden monarchs the influence of my power. We would have to keep our lawmaking sessions brief.

  “May we wait outside?” Mother asked.

  “Of course,” the Lord Chancellor said. “The holden rulers should be here shortly.”

  I gave Baridya and Deance a tiny smile as my parents shuffled my entourage back into the hallway.

  Once we were alone, the Lord Chancellor said, “I realize you have faced great opposition in your time at court. However, you have taken the throne in a fair election, so I intend to see that you are allowed the same authority as any monarch.”

  “Thank you.” I swallowed past a lump in my throat. Even the Lord Chancellor expected me to fight every step of the way. Still, I appreciated his support.

  Holden King Pollard was the first to join us. His black hair was liberally sprinkled with grey, and he wore his crown as though he was born with it, his posture commanding attention. He bowed solemnly to me before taking one of the two smaller thrones to my left.

  Ellarie was next to arrive, and she shot me a cold look before curtseying. I had hoped she might lend me support now that I sat the throne—she was Mother’s cousin, after all—but she would likely never forgive me for winning her son Cal to my side.

  Last of all, Holden King Morrisse and Holden King Dennoric arrived together. The two young men looked as though they were suppressing laughter at a shared joke; Morrisse bowed with an easy smile, his flyaway black curls falling across his face, while Dennoric jerked his head stiffly in my direction—hardly a show of respect at all. The other holden monarchs might listen to reason, but I sensed Dennoric despised me on principle. He was the youngest of my fellow monarchs, with light brown hair and cruel eyes, and he would take the throne when I was voted off. I dreaded that day.

  “Welcome to the first Ilkayumsday vote of this ruling cycle,” the lord chancellor said. Though he sat on a short, unadorned chair, he looked as regal as any of us. I wondered what power he held at court. “Every ten days, we will gather here to vote on any new laws Queen Kalleah wishes to enact. If she has no laws to present before you, we will convene briefly to allow the holden monarchs to hand over proposals.

  “Queen Kalleah will begin by introducing each of her proposed decrees individually, and will present any arguments in her favor. If she wishes to bring forth authorities to explain terms or argue on her behalf, this is when they will make their case. She will then give each holden ruler a chance to read the exact wording of the law and ask any questions that arise. Once the holden rulers are satisfied with the information presented and have made their decisions, I will call a vote. If at least one holden ruler votes for Queen Kalleah’s decree, it will pass.

  “If a law does not pass, the holden monarchs have the option to offer a conditional vote based on an alteration of the terms or wording of the law. Queen Kalleah would then present the amended proposal at the next quarter’s session, at which point the holden monarch who offered their conditional vote would be obliged to pass the law.”

  “Provided Queen Kalleah has not added any other terms to the law that we find objectionable?” Ellarie asked sharply.

  “Precisely. Once the voting is finished, the holden monarchs have the option to bring forth any proposed laws of their own, which they will pass to Queen Kalleah for her perusal. If she agrees with the proposals, she will draft the legal document to present at the next Ilkayumsday vote.”

  “And if we wish to discuss the merits of our proposals with Her Majesty?” Pollard asked.

  “You may speak with Queen Kalleah in private.”

  Pollard inclined his head.

  “When our session finishes, we will sign all new laws into action. I will then present these laws before members of the town gathered in the throne room. It is your choice whether you accompany me for this or not. When each new decree is publicized, I will also announce the votes of each holden monarch so your decisions can guide voters when Queen Kalleah’s first three years on the throne come to an end.”

  “Will you announce laws that failed as well?” Dennoric asked.

  “Yes, I will. Do you have any other questions?”

  The four holden rulers watched the Lord Chancellor without speaking. My hands were beginning to sweat—I had memorized the terms of each law I would propose, but I had not prepared extensive arguments in their favor.

  “You may begin, Your Majesty.”

  I cleared my throat. All four holden monarchs turned their gazes on me, waiting. This was worse than speaking in front of a crowd—with a large audience, the listeners blurred together into one faceless mass. Here I had to appeal directly to four very powerful people who were determined to oppose me.

  This first law was one Father had hoped to pass before handing over his rule; he had delayed because it would have taken too much time to implement, not because he thought it would be contentious.

  “The first decree I would like to propose today is a scheme to cover over the full length of our water supply channel from the Elygian River into Baylore. King Baltheor intended to begin this project before his travels to Larkhaven. As it stands, our water supply risks contamination from farmland runoff on either side. Once the channel is completely enclosed, I propose we gather a research team of Weavers to devise an enchanted net that will purify our water before it enters Baylore.”

  “And how much would this cost?” Ellarie asked.

  “Our estimate is around two hundred thousand varlins.”

  She shook her head. “No, Your Majesty. This is a terrible idea. Have you not noticed the unrest among our citizens? The crown’s coffers are not deep enough to cover this expense, and raising taxes right now will give them a reason to rise up against you. As much as I like the idea of our citizens undermining your rule, they might turn next on the monarchy itself. If they think our system of rule is corrupt, they could stir up anarchy.”

  I wondered if she referred to the article in the Palace Times. I had no further arguments to make, and did not want to push the matter when the more important issue I hoped to raise—the start of the great southern road—would put an even larger tax burden on our citizens.

  “Your Majesty?” the Lord Chancellor prompted.

  “You supported King Baltheor while he was on the throne. Surely your opinion of his ideas has not changed in the few days since I took over.”

  “As Holden Queen Ellarie pointed out, the situation itself h
as changed,” Pollard said gravely. “I would be prepared to vote on this matter in another few spans, when the unrest has settled. Until then, I am afraid to say I cannot support the increase of taxes for something not of utmost importance.”

  I had nothing to say to that. Ellarie, Dennoric, and Morrisse I suspected of opposing me out of principle, but Pollard seemed willing to listen to reason. And his argument did make sense, though my father would surely have persuaded him otherwise.

  “You may now pass around the document so the holden monarchs may read the exact wording of the proposal.”

  I handed the parchment to Dennoric, who passed it on with a mere glance. My stomach churned with hatred. The only one who deigned to read the document was Pollard, and when he handed it back to me, no one spoke.

  After a minute of silence, the Lord Chancellor said, “Are we ready to vote, then?”

  “Yes.” I wished I had prepared more. The Lord Chancellor’s description of our voting protocol had taken longer than the process itself—I was sure I had skipped a few steps. I certainly hadn’t done my father’s proposal justice.

  “Very well. All those who oppose Queen Kalleah’s ruling, please raise your hand.”

  Ellarie, Dennoric, and Morrisse raised their hands at once. I had expected as much. After a moment’s pause, Pollard gave me a grim nod and raised his hand as well.

  “It is decided, then,” the Lord Chancellor said, sounding reluctant. “The ruling has been overturned. Do you have any further laws to present today, Your Majesty?”

  I shuffled through my pile of papers. My father had given me another law to put forward, but I would save it for next week’s vote. We had to start work on the great southern road now, in case Larkhaven decided to cut off trade, and I did not want to risk turning the holden monarchs more firmly against me by proposing another unpopular law. Unless we had the beginnings of a new trade route in place very soon, our economy would be crippled if we lost our only port city.