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

by R. J. Vickers

  “And you don’t care that other people like him are facing much worse?”

  “Your Majesty, this has nothing to do with my son. If you pass a law designed specifically to protect the magic races above all other citizens, you will prove your detractors correct. You will demonstrate that you place our magic races on a higher tier, that you afford them greater rights than any others.”

  I passed the proposal to her, trying to keep my hand from shaking. “I do not simply mention the magic races here. This law is designed to protect all minority groups within Baylore.”

  “What about the majority?” Dennoric asked haughtily. I wanted to punch him. “Are our citizens allowed to discriminate against non-magic people instead?”

  “It is the majority perpetrating this violence!” I said. “They have not been discriminated against or attacked in any way.”

  “Pardon me, but was there not a murder at a nearby inn just over a quarter ago?”

  I wrenched my gaze from Dennoric’s smug, hateful little smile and instead turned to Pollard. “Holden King Pollard. What is your stance on the matter?”

  Pollard shifted on his seat, his thick grey brows drawn together. “I wholeheartedly support your sentiment, Your Majesty, but I believe it is not the time for such drastic action. A law such as this would only serve to highlight the growing tensions between our magic and non-magic citizens, and might encourage the perpetrators to seek loopholes.” He glanced down at the proposal, which Ellarie had passed to him. “These are difficult charges to prove, and if you begin arresting your enemies on suspicion and hearsay, it will give the Truthbringers and their supporters more cause to distrust the monarchy. Our people could rise up against us. I therefore regret to say I cannot give you my vote.”

  Morrisse frowned, tapping his fingers on the arm of his throne, but did not volunteer his thoughts. After a moment, he reached for the parchment and read the decree, eyes moving rapidly back and forth.

  Dennoric sat back in his chair, seemingly satisfied that I would receive no support. He was right.

  “Are you ready to call a vote, Your Majesty?” the Lord Chancellor asked solemnly.

  “Yes.” I already knew what would happen.

  “All in favor of this law, please raise your hand.”

  None of the four holden monarchs moved. Dennoric’s lip curled, while Pollard gave me a regretful-looking nod. My chest tightened. I had counted on this as a way to begin eroding the Truthbringers’ hold on Baylore; what was I supposed to do next? They would continue growing stronger, until my very throne was ripped from beneath me.

  “Very well. This law has been overturned, Your Majesty. Do you have any further proposals to submit?”

  I did not have the heart to argue in favor of the other law I had brought with me, the same one I had neglected to bring forward last quarter. “No. I don’t have any further proposals.”

  * * *

  Despondent from my failure, I did not want to talk to Baridya and Deance just yet. Instead I went in search of the Extractor who had arrived not long ago. If I could not pass laws to protect the magic races, I had to find some other way.

  The man was at the back of the hospital room, propped up against a mountain of pillows and speaking to the Drifter medic. They both fell silent when he saw me, and the man’s expression brightened.

  “Your Majesty!” He tried to bow from a sitting position, while the medic turned in her seat and inclined her head.

  The Extractor looked much younger now that he was cleaned up—he had a sincere smile and a faint shadow of beard on his chin, and I guessed him to be no older than twenty-five.

  “You have my sincere thanks for caring for this man,” I told the medic.

  “Ornan, Your Majesty,” he supplied.

  “I know others may have turned him away rather than risk associating with one like him.”

  The medic shook her head. “My people have faced centuries of discrimination at the hands of Itreans, Your Majesty. We make no distinction between the forbidden races and other Itreans.” She was a Drifter, one of the people from the Wandering Woods who had been in Itrea since long before my ancestors fled the Kinship Thrones.

  I wanted to ask why she had come to Baylore in the first place—very few Drifters left the forest—but I worried it would offend her. Instead I turned back to Ornan. “These men who attacked your caravan—how much do you know about them? I would like to send a patrol out to arrest any who threaten violence against travelers, but I don’t know how to identify them.”

  Ornan sat up straighter than before. “That would be wonderful, Your Majesty. Let’s see…” His eyes grew distant. “I could describe the gang who attacked us down to the man, but I don’t think they’re the only ones out there. We’ve seen others like them before, but most of the groups are smaller, and our caravan is large enough to give them pause. I think there were twelve men in the group that attacked us.” He paused. “They travel on horseback, without much in the way of supplies. I’ve seen them staying at inns and wayhouses, though I’ve no idea how they afford the places, unless they steal from their victims. They’re all men, too. That’s rare among travelers. And I haven’t seen any dressed in black, so you couldn’t mistake them for our messengers.”

  “Perfect. I think that should be enough to go on. With any luck, we can capture a few and bring them in for questioning so we can figure out who they work for. They are clearly doing the work of the Truthbringers, but we need to know whether they are in someone’s employ or simply brutes eager to find any excuse for violence.”

  Ornan nodded. “You’re a good person, Your Majesty. I only knew you by reputation, and no one mentioned you were so eager to protect the forbidden races.”

  “I would outlaw that label today if I could. Most of the forbidden races are no more dangerous than Flamespinners or Potioneers. But until I bring the Truthbringers under control, I need to take care not to anger my citizens more than I already have. This mission will be carried out in secret, and I hope I can trust both of you not to mention it outside this room.”

  Ornan and the medic both murmured their agreement.

  “Then that is settled. Ornan, when you are recovered, please send for me. I intend to give you a position among my guard for as long as you wish to remain within the palace. You will need to take care not to spend too much time in any one guard’s company, but this way no one will question why you are here.” This would also allow me to keep a close eye on him; I wanted no one else to learn of his secret.

  His eyes widened. “It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”

  * * *

  Once I left the hospital, I found Quendon guarding the entrance to the Cheltish wing with five others. I pulled him aside and whispered, “Can I trust you with a secret mission?”

  “What is it, Your Majesty?”

  “Do you remember the man who you brought before me a few days ago?”

  “Of course.”

  “He was attacked by a group of rogue horsemen outside Baylore. They have been targeting the forbidden races all around Baylore Valley, in places we are legally allowed to travel and reside. I want you to lead a force to round up as many of these horsemen as possible and bring them to the city cells for questioning.” I paused. “I would like this done quietly, Quendon. If word gets out that I have made a move against the Truthbringers, this could damage my reputation irreparably.”

  Quendon nodded. “I understand, Your Majesty. And I will of course keep this quiet. This is an honorable thing you are doing.”

  “Thank you. And Quendon—are you doing this out of loyalty to the Reycoran family, or do you genuinely support me now?”

  “Does it matter, Your Majesty?”

  “I can number my genuine supporters on one hand. It would mean a great deal if—”

  Quendon lowered his voice further still. “I do support you, Your Majesty. It is an honor to serve you.”

  * * *

  Four days later, I was playing Kins with Baridya, Dean
ce, and Cal—I wanted to probe Cal on how I might persuade his mother to change her mind about the anti-discrimination law, and thought it best to consult with him in an informal setting—when Ornan knocked at my door. He had recovered completely, and now wore the blue-and-gold uniform of my family’s guards.

  “Your Majesty,” he said, eyes downturned. “I was instructed to bring this to you.”

  When he held out a rolled-up newspaper, my heart sank. What now? Had the Truthbringers discovered my covert mission to round up their horsemen outside Baylore?

  “Thank you, Ornan,” I said grudgingly, taking the paper. Once he closed the door to my suite, I sank onto the sofa I had just vacated and unrolled the Baylore Daily.

  “What now?” Baridya asked, eyebrows drawn together in worry.

  The front-page article merely went into details on the Great Southern Road, so I flipped through the rest of the paper, wondering if that was the only reason I had been given this particular issue.

  Then Cal let out a soft curse. A second later, I saw the headline that had caught his attention.

  WHY WE SHOULD FEAR THE FLAMESPINNER PRINCE

  “Bastards!” Baridya said. “What the Varse are they attacking Cal for?”

  “They must know I asked him to serve as my advisor,” I said grimly. “You two should be careful as well. Especially you, Deance.” She had attended another Truthbringers’ meeting in the past quarter, and though she argued it was extremely valuable for me to have a spy keeping track of their movements, I couldn’t help thinking it was only a matter of time before she was caught.

  I set the newspaper on the table so we could all cluster around and read it.

  Prince Calden, son of Holden Queen Ellarie, recently drew attention within Baylore for his controversial decision to support Queen Kalleah in the palace vote. Sources report he has now taken on a position as the controversial young queen’s advisor, which means he is likely privy to Queen Kalleah’s private schemes and agendas.

  This would not be such a problem if not for his Flamespinner blood. New evidence has come to light that Flamespinners have the capacity to cause more harm than most forbidden races. Many deaths have resulted from their uncontrolled use of fire, most of which have been covered up in an attempt to protect the image of Baylore’s magic races. Worse still, countless house fires and more destructive blazes over the years have undoubtedly been the work of Flamespinners.

  Serving as Queen Kalleah’s advisor, Prince Calden could become her personal assassin, moving both within the palace and around Baylore to take out her enemies. This is mere speculation at this point, yet a murder early in Queen Kalleah’s reign points to the forbidden queen’s willingness to silence her enemies. Furthermore, sources within the palace have mentioned her irrational hatred of the Truthbringers, whom she intends to eliminate at all costs. This is a dangerous combination of motive and ability to act.

  Our reporters spoke to a Truthbringer known as the Master for his stance on the issue.

  “I believe this is a situation far more dangerous than anyone realizes. Flamespinners can kill within seconds, using their power to burn innocents alive, and their range has not been tested extensively. I recommend any who have influence within Baylore Palace to order the immediate arrest of Prince Calden before he has a chance to begin doing our queen’s evil work.”

  The Master also recommends adding Flamespinners to the list of forbidden races, though he admits this is unlikely to happen before Queen Kalleah’s reign ends. “Her successor, Holden King Dennoric, takes a much more realistic stance on the danger of unregulated magic within Baylore. I am confident this safety measure will command his wholehearted support.”

  “I would love to beat him senseless,” Deance growled. “The Master is the man who has been running the meetings. The kindly, grandfatherly man everyone looks up to. And this is the sort of hateful rhetoric he comes out with.”

  Cal was gripping his knees with both hands, knuckles white. “You don’t think they could actually arrest me, do you?”

  “I honestly have no idea,” I said. “All these ‘sources’ the article mentions—the palace must be full of spies. I don’t know who to trust any longer.” I suddenly wished I had not sent Quendon away. “My authority should protect you, but I don’t know if it will be enough.”

  Another knock sounded at the door, this time loud and angry. Before I could ask who it was, the door jerked open and Ellarie stomped in.

  “Have you seen this?” She brandished another copy of the Baylore Daily.

  Then her eyes fell on the article before us. “Was it you? Did you sell Calden out to prove he wasn’t safe in the palace?”

  “Why the plagues would I do something like that?” I demanded. “Cal is one of my only supporters. Do you honestly think I would recommend the arrest of the one person who actually listens to me?”

  “Well, I don’t care who did it. Cal, come with me. I will no longer allow you to serve as Kalleah’s advisor.”

  6

  The Flamespinner’s Mark

  “N o,” Cal said at once. “I won’t leave. You can’t force me to go.”

  “I am your queen, and if you do not obey me at once, I will disinherit you.”

  I stood and moved between Cal and Ellarie. “I am queen here, Ellarie. If Cal would like to keep his position as my advisor, you have no power to say otherwise.”

  “I can still disinherit him.”

  “I don’t care,” Cal said.

  “No,” I said. “We need more people like you on the throne. Ellarie, surely you do not wish to ruin your family’s standing with a scandal. Don’t decide the future of your son based on a moment’s anger with me.”

  Ellarie stomped closer and glared at me. “It was the only way my fool of a son would listen to me,” she hissed. “Don’t you see what you’ve done? You don’t care if your schemes endanger Calden. You care nothing for him—you intend to use him to do your bidding, twist the truth until he believes you, as long as he is useful. Then you’ll cast him aside.”

  My heart faltered. “That’s not true,” I said in a low voice. Yet it had been in the beginning, and if Ellarie knew the truth, she would never forgive me.

  “I don’t care about your rule. You have singled Calden out as a target, and I cannot accept that. The Truthbringers are doing this because of you.”

  “They’re doing it because they can. Because you refused to pass a law that would protect your own son.”

  Ellarie opened her mouth to object, but I spoke over her. “Baridya, Deance, could you please prepare my gown for dinner?”

  They took the hint and slipped away into my bedchamber, closing the door behind them. Cal stayed where he was sitting, the game still sprawled over the table before him.

  “I should have known you would do this,” Ellarie said. “You’re just like your mother. Using your power to force people to your side, to turn my son against me.”

  “My mother has nothing to do with it. Cal sympathized with me from the start, because of who we both are. He. Is. A. Flamespinner. It seems you’ve forgotten this. The Truthbringers are not targeting him specifically—they are going after all magical races. Even if Cal had stayed well out of the politics, he would get swept up in their campaign against magic eventually. You can’t hide him here forever, and if you think the Truthbringers can’t touch us here in the palace, have you forgotten the assassination attempt just a few spans back?”

  “She’s right, Mother,” Cal said softly. “Even some of my friends won’t talk to me now. They’ve been listening to the Truthbringers. If Kalleah can’t pass that law to protect people like me, I don’t know what you expect. I won’t be able to escape this forever. I might even be arrested and thrown out of the city. Flamespinners could be outlawed just like Extractors, and it won’t stop there.”

  Ellarie stood motionless, looking from me to her son, the newspaper crumpled in her grip.

  “I don’t care if you disinherit me. I don’t care if I have to leav
e the Ruunan wing. I intend to keep supporting Kalleah for as long as it takes to protect the magic races.”

  At last Ellarie spoke, and the fight had gone out of her voice. “I don’t agree with you sitting the throne, Kalleah. I think it demonstrates corruption in the heart of the Itrean government. But I will protect my son. Do you have that proposal from our last vote?”

  I had won. I could tell now. Turning away from Ellarie to hide my relief, I hurried to fetch the proposal from my office.

  When I passed it to Ellarie, she read it carefully, her mouth tight.

  At last she handed it back to me. “If you add something to protect Calden from the press, I will support this law. Make it illegal to slander youths under the age of sixteen, both verbally and in writing.”

  “Agreed,” I said. If only I were a few years younger—I might be able to stop the newspapers from printing awful stories about me as well. “So if I bring this up at our next Ilkayumsday vote, you promise to pass it?”

  “I will.” Ellarie held out a hand. “Come, Calden. I need to show you something.”

  I gave Cal a tiny nod, and he rose to join his mother, leaving the copy of the Baylore Daily still spread next to our Kins board. When his mother’s back was turned, he gave me a grim smile.

  * * *

  When the next Ilkayumsday vote arrived, I managed to pass the anti-discrimination law—though none but Ellarie lent it their support. All four holden monarchs voted down my next proposal, to employ the slum-dwellers to build up the soft, damp land in the slums so it could support real buildings rather than crude shanties and lean-tos. I had hoped—foolishly, it now seemed—that Ellarie might support me on future rulings. Instead, it looked as though all four holden monarchs were determined to prevent me from accomplishing anything.

  I needed to come up with some way to persuade at least one of them to support me. But how?