Death's Queen (The Complete Series)

by Janeal Falor

  Ranen hisses but doesn't deny her words.

  “But why you, Faya? Why are you attacking me? You were always the kind one.” My words come out clear and strong.

  “Kind?” She laughs, and for the first time since I met her, she sounds mad. “My only kindness is that I'm about to put you out of your misery.”

  “You helped send killers after me?” I have to keep her talking. Keep her from pressing that blade any farther into me.

  “Helped? No, nameless girl, Ranen and I were the ones that sent them.”

  I can't help my gasp. “But why?”

  “Because I want control of the country.”

  “Except they just said Jem would have been the one, not you.”

  “Of course Jem. I wouldn’t take the Mortum Tura and risk my life, but I had to be in a position close to the Queen. If Jem had beat you to the Mortum Tura, she would have been crowned, and together, Ranen, Borkus, and I could have controlled her.”

  “I think you're mistaken. Jem would never be controlled by anyone.”

  She jams the blade harder against my neck. “That's where you're wrong. She only appears strong to you to hide her own weaknesses. She relied heavily on Ranen and me. Always. Thought I was like her grandmother, who passed away years ago. I could have control of the entire country without assassins coming for my own life? But no. You had to come along and push your way forward. Had to make yourself queen. Well, no more.”

  “How did you get to the assassins?” I ask, slowly going for my pocket where I have another dagger sheathed.

  “It's easy. The hard part was your unexpected handling of them. If anything, I thought the poison would do you in, but we had to catch on to that as well.”

  “You were the one behind the poor boy that killed himself?”

  She cackles. “I took care of him. Made him write his own note and everything. You never even suspected the person who brought the trays to your rooms was the one who put the poison in your cups, but it was easy for me to do. And now, here we are, with your life in my hands.”

  “Do her in, Faya,” Ranen says with a sneer. “We can't drag this out much longer. If her guard suspects she's gone missing, they’ll start a search for her.”

  “Couldn't have played into our hands any better.” Borkus folds his arms and smirks at me.

  I wanted to know who put the attack out on my life. I've found all three of them.

  Before Faya can react, I grab my dagger out of my pocket and jam it backwards into her stomach. She drops the blade from my throat with a hiss of pain. I pull out the dagger, ready to defend myself.

  “Guards,” I call out, hoping they are somewhere nearby. We're not far from my room, but there could be trouble if they don't come. Not that I can't handle a bit of trouble. Still, I back all the way up toward my entrance. Best to be prepared.

  Ranen turns on me. “Grab her,” he hisses to Borkus. “Stab her in the heart.”

  “I'd like to see you try,” I say as I kick back at Faya, pushing her farther from me.

  Ranen comes barreling at me, clumsy and unrefined. I twist away at the last moment. Borkus grabs me from behind. I elbow him in the gut and push off him, using the momentum to punch Ranen in the chest.

  Ranen grunts and falls to the ground.

  “Wimp.” I want to kick him while he's down, but I do have manners. Some.

  Borkus tries to escape out the hall, but the guards come at that moment and grab him before he can go anywhere. I recognize Afet and Wilric, but none of the others.

  “Partnering with Ranen was a mistake,” I tell Borkus and Faya.

  Faya pays me no mind. She's clutching her stomach and groaning, her fingers turning crimson where she's holding her wound.

  “What happened?” Wilric asks, even as he moves toward my attackers.

  “These are the three responsible for the attacks on my life.”

  He looks at Faya and then turns for me. “We have to call for a healer. Unless you want her to bleed out?”

  “Heal her. She can live in misery the rest of her life, knowing what she almost had.”

  The guards get moving, but I turn my attention to Ranen, who's under my boot. “Do you have more attacks coming my way?”

  He grunts. “Like I'd tell you.”

  I push my boot down harder.

  “I'll talk. I'll talk,” he squeaks out. I release some of the pressure, and he says, “There's another attack scheduled for tomorrow while you're at breakfast.”

  “And who is the attacker?”

  He says nothing more, and I press down my boot again.

  “A man by the name of Vergul. You'll find him at the Hermit's Bar.”

  I release him.

  “I'll get right on it.” Afet leaves the room.

  “Stand up,” I say.

  Ranen groans and curls up.

  “Stand up now.” I want to kick him more than ever. I restrain myself. Somehow.

  He struggles to his feet. Did I injure him more than I thought, or is he playing it up?

  “Who else are you working with?” I ask.

  “No one of consequence.” He huffs.

  “Not good enough. You will give Wilric every single name if you plan on seeing daylight again after today.”

  Wilric takes the hint and grabs Ranen by the upper arm. “I'll get everything out of him, Your Majesty. What do you want to happen to them?”

  “I decide?” That’s not something I want responsibility over if I can help it.

  “For a crime like this, yes, it is your decision.”

  I nod. “Take care to get them all. I don't want more surprises. Ranen is stripped from all titles and holdings. Take him to the dungeon for ten years, then bring him to me. We'll see if he still wants to take my life then. Borkus will share the same fate. And Faya, as soon as she's healed.”

  Of course, I may not be alive in ten years. I found out who was sending the assassins. That's all I wanted, right?

  No. I don't want only that.

  I want much more.

  Chapter 40

  Nash rushes to me, in my sitting room.

  “I heard what happened,” he says. “Are you all right? Do I need to call for a physician?”

  “I'm fine.” Though I won't stop him from showing concern. It's nice to have someone who cares about your wellness. If only I had such a person in my life sooner.

  He stands back. “I'm so happy to hear it. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you.”

  I don't want to say it, but it comes out anyway. “You know it's inevitable.”

  He grips me by both shoulders. Heat blossoms where he touches. “Don't say that. You're far too valuable to be talking that way.”

  “But it's the way things are, even if I would have them differently.” And I do. I want to live. I want to lean in close. To feel him caring for me. To enjoy this world.

  But sooner or later, my time will end.

  “I will change them.” He sounds so certain, I almost believe him.

  He lets go of me, and I wish he wouldn’t. “Sorry for touching you. It’s getting to be a bad habit. You could do something about that. It’s in your power to have me killed.”

  “Like I would do anything of the kind. Your secret is safe with me.” He relaxes his face, and I want to tell him how much he means to me. Instead, I clear my throat. “I sent guards to Jem's room. Same for the other ladies in waiting. We are searching for evidence that they were in on Ranen's plot. Since Faya was in on the plot, I trust none of them.”

  “I spoke to the guards. They should be here soon, to let you know. Do you really think Jem was in on it?”

  “More than likely, even if Faya said she was going to control her. The others very well could have been involved too, though. It's hard to say.”

  “I know you have good reason to distrust them, but some of them do want to help you.” His voice is soft.

  “Don't you think they just want the crown for themselves?” It feels true.

&
nbsp; “Perhaps, but I'd like to think some want what's best for the country. If they see you being a good leader, taking their advice, and thinking of the people, maybe they'll know you are the best option.”

  There's a knock on the door. Nash answers it and lets in Wilric.

  Wilric bows, and I ask, “You have news for me?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. All the rooms were searched, but nothing incriminating was found in any of them. Furthermore, I took it upon myself to search Ranen’s and Borkus's rooms. They also revealed no link to the ladies in waiting, though we did find a note in Ranen's room that looked as if it was meant for an assassin.”

  He hands me the parchment. I look it over to find he indeed wanted to take my life and was requesting someone else do it. Yet again.

  I hand back the note. “Please see that it is put somewhere safe, to be used against Ranen.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” He bows again before leaving the room.

  Nash gives me a look that has my insides melting. I wish he would touch me again. Make everything all better simply by being near.

  He says, “I can't believe Ranen would try to do that to you.”

  “You mean have me killed?” I don’t skirt around the word. “Is it so hard to believe?”

  “I suppose not. He's always been a powerful player at court, but I didn't expect him to stoop so low. I hate him for it, but it's not surprising. I guess I just hope for the best in people.”

  What would he think if he knew who I really was? Would he dislike me as much as he does Ranen? I don't want him to hate me. Just thinking of it shatters my heart.

  There's another knock at the door.

  “The council wanted to speak with you,” Nash says. “There will be someone coming to get us.”

  “Very well.”

  I'd much rather stay in my sitting room with his hands on my shoulders. Instead, we head out.

  We arrive at the council room, and I take my place at the head of the table. “Why did you wish to speak with me?”

  “Your Majesty,” Timit says, “we were all so worried over you when we received news of the betrayals.”

  I'm sure they weren't all worried.

  He continues. “After these events, we believe the ball should be canceled.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

  He looks down. “For your safety, Your Highness.”

  “My safety, or so you don't have to host poor people?”

  He has the grace to turn red.

  Kada says, “It's true that we have a hard time understanding why you wanted to host a ball, but we went along with it when we got word. We really are concerned about your safety.”

  “Forgive me for being the voice of dissension, Your Majesty,” Yuka, Head of the Arts says, “but I believe we should go forward with the ball. If we add extra guards, it will be safe, and the people will be happy to have a day of feasting.”

  Or she could be on Ranen's side and want me out of the way. It's hard to know who to trust.

  Kada says, “I disagree. People will not be happy if their queen is murdered before them.”

  Beside me, Nash tightens his fists.

  “No one is going to be murdered,” Yuka says. “We will be cautious with our queen. We've dealt with situations where the queen was out in public before. We can do it again.”

  “Yes, but she wasn't around peasants,” Timit says.

  I want to growl at him. “If you remember, I was a peasant before I came here,” I say.

  “But you're not one now,” he says. “You are their leader, and as such, you should endeavor to act like it. We've given you time to catch up on the training you should have had before taking the Mortum Tura. Now, you need to be our queen.”

  Nash bolts to his feet. “You will not talk to Her Majesty that way.”

  I want to pull him down. To make him stop. But I can't have either him or me looking weak. Plus, he does have a point. They should not speak to me so. I'm glad Nash stood up for me because I'm not certain I could do it for myself in these circumstances.

  Timit looks as if he wants to say something more, but I cut him off. “I understand your concerns, but it’s best that we go forward.”

  “Forgive me, Your Majesty,” Sidle, the Head of the Military, says, “but I think Timit is right, even if he went too far with his words. It isn't right to put you in danger knowingly.”

  “I'm in danger every moment of my life.” Which hasn't changed by my becoming queen. Some things never do.

  “But why should we push that danger?” Sidle asks.

  “Because the people need it,” I say.

  They continue arguing back and forth for the better part of an hour. With my decision made, I let them, without paying them much mind. Sure, the guards could turn on me. The council members might be on Ranen's side. He might have another plan up his sleeve. But I will not give into such tactics.

  “Thank you for your opinions,” I say. Nash's training has done some good. “I will be going ahead with the ball.” They start to speak, but I silence them with a flash of my hand. “This is my final word.”

  I stand, and Nash does as well.

  He follows me out the door. “You handled that well,” he says as we walk through the halls. The compliment warms me, but he's not done. “I wonder, though, if it's wise to continue with the ball. I know you want to meet the people and show them you care, but what if someone is waiting to hurt you? We haven't gotten anything else out of Ranen. Whatever reason he had for talking before is no longer a threat. He could have other people on his side.”

  “I respect your assessment. While I agree somewhat, I feel that we must go on. I can't live my life in fear. I can't let Ranen win by making me go into hiding.”

  “No, but you could make him win by going out, where he knows you'll be and can hurt you through someone else while you're there.”

  Is he worried about me as the queen or as something more? I'm brave enough to face murderers, but not to ask if he cares for me. “Everything will be fine. If not, I'll deal with things as they come.”

  Just like I always do.

  Chapter 41

  “You handled Ranen well.” The first queen's voice comes to me before I see her. When she appears, her face is bright with a smile. “I disliked him from the start.”

  “You and me both.”

  “How did you handle him so well? How did you handle all your attackers?” she asks.

  I shrug. “Some people are just good at things.”

  “Hmm.” She stares into my eyes, and I don't look away. “You should have him put to death,” she says.

  “Do you think so?” The thought makes my hands quiver. It’s against the way I was raised to leave someone like him alive. Unless it was Daros. He was never to be harmed.

  She moves closer but doesn't reach out to touch me. “I know this is hard for you. I can't pretend to understand why, but you need to do this. He will come back to haunt you if you don't.”

  He will if I do, too. “He's well tucked away in the dungeons.”

  “For now. But will he stay that way?”

  “I'll put extra guards on him.” I'll do anything not to have to give a death sentence.

  “Why do you fight so hard against it? Ranen is an evil man.”

  My throat feels tight, though I'm not awake. “Maybe. Doesn't putting a death sentence on him make me equally evil?”

  “Sometimes you have to get rid of an evil man so he doesn't bring an entire nation down.”

  “Do you think he’d do that?” I know he's bad, but is he that bad?

  “I know he would.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because of past evidence. Ranen has been around for two different queens before you. I know you don't want to hear it, but he manipulated them both.”

  “But he's imprisoned now. We're safe from him.”

  “If that is your choice, you should stand by it.”

  “It is.”

  He’d better not make
me regret it.

  Chapter 42

  The preparations for the ball are coming along nicely. Plenty of food is being prepared in the kitchens and has been for days. The decorations in the ballroom are exquisite, with fabrics in bright colors draped across the walls. The wooden floor is gleaming.

  Tonight, I hope to not fall on my face on this floor, in front of the thousand or so people we're expecting. This room won't hold them all, but the palace is big enough that there are plenty of other rooms done up in similar fashion. Throughout the rest of Indell and all of Valcora, similar feasts are being held. My people will hopefully remember this day as a good one.

  Inkga comes in the ballroom from a side door. “It's time to get ready for the ball.”

  “It's not for another three hours,” I reply.

  “It's not really enough time, but I didn't think you'd let me get away with preparing you all day.”

  “What could we possibly do that would take so long?”

  “Hair. Make up. Perfecting your dress.”

  “Sounds like nonsense to me.”

  She laughs. “Maybe, but you want to make a good impression on your guests.”

  “I suppose.” Mostly, I want them to like me, but apparently I'm not that likeable a person. I'll have to figure out another reason for them to like me, other than for who I am.

  We move to my bedroom, where my preparatory stuff is waiting, including all five of my other servants. Inkga sits me down and starts by combing through my hair.

  “Are you nervous?”

  “Of course not.” But just in case there's something I can do about it, I ask, “Why do you think so?”

  “You're pinching your fingers together.”

  “Ah.” Well, that's easy to fix. If I remember to think about it, that is. I hope I don't do it in the middle of the ball.

  After they comb through my short hair, now midway to my ears, and take my hair out of the pins, I make the servants wait in the other room while I take a bath. I put on a shift and open the door for them.

  “Why don't you take a seat?” Inkga asks. “We'll get you ready, and then we can put your dress on. There's no sense in wrinkling it or getting it stained.”