by K. A. Linde
Cyrene fell into step next to the girl. She had eyes that were a little too big for her face and a splatter of freckles across the bridge of her nose. At the same time, her appearance was far from distinct, and Cyrene was sure her eyes would have slid easily over the girl in a crowd.
“I’m Affiliate Cyrene, by the way.”
“I know. I was at your Presenting yesterday.” The girl set a hasty pace as they walked down the corridor.
“I’m Affiliate Maelia Dallmer.”
“So nice to meet you,” Cyrene said.
“What kind of path do you hope for your Affiliate duties?” Maelia clutched the book tighter.
“I’m not certain what is available,” she began carefully, “but I’d prefer to be placed somewhere I’ll be able to travel. My sister is the Ambassador to Kell for the Queen and is fortunate enough to be able to travel the world. Do you know Aralyn?”
She smiled meekly and shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I’ve been here less than six months.”
“Oh. Then, you’re not that much older than me,” Cyrene murmured in relief.
She knew there were going to be girls around her age, but she hadn’t thought she would be lucky enough to find someone on her first day. The girl’s soft demeanor reminded Cyrene so much of Rhea. Maybe once Maelia broke out of her shell, she would also turn out to be someone Cyrene could be friends with.
“Are you from the capital city? I apologize for not remembering seeing you anywhere.”
“No, this city is still foreign to me. I was raised in Levin. My family are Seconds.” She used the slang term without a trace of emotion about being taken away from her family in the northern mountainous Byern city to enter into the First Class.
Cyrene dealings with the Second and Third Classes had been all but limited to the Laelish Market. She had been freaked out enough about moving into the castle without being transplanted into an entirely different city. On top of all that, Maelia had had to learn to adjust not only to an Affiliate’s lifestyle, but also to the First Class.
“Well, maybe I can show you around some, if we can find the time,” Cyrene offered.
“I’d like that.” A genuine smile crossed Maelia’s face.
She turned them down another hallway with more decoration than the previous one. Oil paintings hung on the wall. The first one showed a beautiful countryside with rolling hills and gorgeous oak trees. Another one revealed what looked like the foothills of their very own Taken Mountains and the Keylani River running through the mountain pass. The next showcased an oceanic scene with rippling waves, soft white sand, and palm trees blowing in the breeze.
While staring at the beach scene, she could almost hear the waves crashing on the bank, feel the gentle sea breeze, and smell the salty air thick with sea spray even though she had never even seen the Lakonia Ocean. She lightly shook her head, trying to rid herself of the strange emotions rolling through her body. She must have read about the paintings in a book prior to this moment.
With difficulty, Cyrene tore her gaze away from the incredibly detailed designs plastered on the walls, and she continued her conversation with Maelia.
“Let’s arrange to meet after I receive orders from the Queen.”
Maelia fidgeted with her book as they approached the enormous wooden door at the end of the hallway. “I hope she lets you off easy. I’d love to see the city.”
“Is she particularly stern?”
“Stern is not the proper word.” Maelia’s voice dipped to a whisper. “The Queen is power hungry on a good day, and today might be even worse. Perhaps I should not say so though.” Her hazel eyes glanced anxiously at the closed door as if someone might hear her critique of the Queen.
“Why is she more so today?” Cyrene mirrored Maelia’s soft tone.
“I’ve heard,” Maelia murmured, drawing closer to Cyrene, “that the Queen is with child, and she announced such circumstances to His Majesty.”
“Why, that’s wonderful news!” Cyrene boomed. Maelia’s hesitant peek at the doors made Cyrene lower her voice. “Isn’t that wonderful news?”
“It’s hard to tell. The last one ended in a miscarriage.”
Cyrene’s mouth popped open in shock. “She lost the baby?”
Maelia nodded solemnly. “So, you can see why today might be worse. The baby is good news but only if she can hold on to it. I think she fears she cannot.”
“How terrible. Thank you so much for telling me. I would have hated to go in there blind.”
“Good luck. I’m sure my warnings were unwarranted.” Maelia placed her hand on Cyrene’s shoulder. “You’ll do great. King Edric and Prince Kael both seemed to like you after all.”
Cyrene blushed. Had they been that obvious? “I’m sure they were both performing their duties in welcoming me as the newest Affiliate.”
The coy smile on Maelia’s lips told Cyrene that had not been the case. “I’m sure.”
“I’ll find you afterward. Will you be in your rooms?” she asked to divert the subject.
“Most likely. It was really nice meeting you, Cyrene. I can’t wait for our adventure.”
“Me either. It was so nice to meet you as well, Maelia.”
The girl scurried back down the hallway and around the corner.
Cyrene didn’t know what it was, but she already liked Maelia. With Rhea gone, Cyrene had been afraid it would be a while until she made friends. She had heard stories of all the Affiliates being close, but those were countered with just as many tales of them hating each other and battling for favored positions.
Cyrene heaved the heavy wooden door open and entered the Queen’s compartments. For all the inactivity of the corridors, people were bustling in the Queen’s chambers. Affiliates and servants alike milled around inside—some speaking rapidly to one another, others with their noses buried in books, and still more writing furiously on loose sheets of parchment. The room reminded her of a beehive with a large round central room and other rooms branching off in various directions. A stained-glass mural overhead depicted a fabled land with unnaturally beautiful individuals with wings sprouting out of their backs.
An athletically built woman with a face covered in freckles flowed gracefully toward Cyrene. “Hello, Affiliate Cyrene,” she said with a bright smile. Her pale green dress brought out the stark quality of her frazzled fiery-red hair, which hung loose to her waist. “Pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Affiliate Catalin, Director of Internal Affairs for Her Majesty, Queen Kaliana.”
Cyrene dipped a small curtsy to the woman. “Good day to you, Affiliate Catalin.”
She had heard her mother complain frequently enough about the woman who had been the DIA under Queen Adelaida for King Maltrier. DIAs expected nearly as much respect as the queen and the consort, but they frequently abused the authority vested in them.
“Queen Kaliana is meeting with His Royal Highness, Prince Kael, at the moment.”
Cyrene tried to keep the tightness from her mouth at the mention of his name.
“I am to begin with your training until she is ready for your assignment. Follow me, please.” She briskly walked across the marble floor.
After crossing the busy foyer, Cyrene entered an immaculate small square room on the far end of the chamber. Books lined the built-in shelves of one wall in descending height order. Sheaves of paper were stacked carefully in neat piles, and emerald-green feather quills were perfectly aligned. A practical wooden desk sat against the far wall, and two matching wooden stools stood before it.
Catalin took a seat behind the desk and gently folded her hands on the desk. “Please sit,” she offered graciously.
“Thank you very much.”
“We’ll get right down to business then, yes? I’m sure you are aware of much of what I am about to tell you, what with your family’s impeccable First Class background, but procedures must be followed.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll start at the beginning.” She cleared her voice. “Congratulat
ions on being selected into the First Class and having the luxury of being appointed to Her Royal Highness, Queen Kaliana, as a Queen’s Affiliate.”
With a quirk of her mouth, Catalin said, “As you know, Viktor Dremylon set in place a new government with three Classes to allow the people a chance to have better lives. With the new system, Viktor Dremylon put in place the High Order and Affiliate program to bring the best and the brightest together. You have been admitted into this prestigious role.”
Catalin continued, “We expect you to begin your educational regimen on your first day. You answer to Queen Kaliana and offer assistance for any requests she might have. Your unhesitating acceptance is required. Her Majesty always has a larger picture in mind than you might be aware of. Do you have any questions?”
Cyrene hesitated. “Yes, Affiliate Catalin. What of Consort Daufina? I realize you did not mention her.”
She couldn’t think it was an accident that Catalin had left off information about the Consort. Cyrene knew from her lessons that Affiliates were expected to have the same deference to the consort as to the queen. In nearly every right, except for blood, the consort was royalty.
Catalin’s sneer confirmed Cyrene’s beliefs. “You are not bound to the Consort. You’ll do well to remember that you work for the Queen, first and foremost. Upon request, the Consort can work with you if you are not already busy with the Queen’s orders.”
It simply didn’t work that way. Cyrene knew it, and this woman knew it.
Either way, Cyrene smiled sweetly as if she did not know that Catalin had blatantly lied about the mechanics of the business.
“As I was saying, you have obligations as an Affiliate, other than your education. The King has plans to travel on procession to Albion, and you will likely be asked to accompany the court on the expedition. Additional duties might arise throughout your time as an Affiliate, and as always, you are expected to accept these responsibilities with grace and goodwill. Are there any further questions?”
Cyrene opened her mouth to tell Catalin that she understood her responsibilities when a figure burst into the room.
“Affiliate Catalin!”
“Jardana!” Catalin rushed to her feet and glared at the girl.
Cyrene craned her neck around to take a look. The girl was dreadfully thin with honey-blonde hair pulled high off of her face, similar to the Queen’s fashion.
“There’s been an attack!” Jardana cried dramatically.
“An attack?”
“King Edric sent me directly for Prince Kael.”
“Slow down, child. What has happened?”
Jardana bristled at the use of the word child. “High Order Zorian was found dead this morning. His face…” She swallowed hard. “His face had been ripped off.”
Cyrene paled. A death of a member of the High Order had occurred in the castle? That was unheard of. And why does that name sound familiar?
“Not Zorian,” Catalin said, tightly clutching the desk. “He just returned from Carhara.”
By the Creator!
That was the man who Reeve had wanted to introduce her to last night at her Presenting. His friends had joked about Zorian engaging with Carharan women, but he had been…killed.
“Follow me. I must tell the Queen at once,” Catalin said.
The group exited Catalin’s office and went back into the round common room that was still bustling with Affiliates. They stopped in front of a pair of double doors worked with the Queen’s intricate climbing vines. Catalin entered without waiting for an invitation. Cyrene and Jardana swept in after her.
Propriety still in order for the DIA when addressing the Queen, Catalin fell into a deep curtsy. Cyrene’s blue eyes raked the room as she also curtsied before Queen Kaliana, next to Jardana. When Cyrene met Prince Kael’s smug look from his seated position before the Queen, she stared icily back.
“What in the Creator’s name do you think you are doing, barging in like this, Catalin?” the Queen demanded.
“My apologies, Your Highness,” Catalin said, hastening to stand.
“Well, explain yourself!”
“Your Highness, Affiliate Jardana has arrived with some most troubling news this morning,” Catalin began.
“May we speak about this after my new Affiliate appointment, Catalin?” Queen Kaliana snapped. She lounged back in her chair inlaid with gold and clasped her narrow long fingers together in her lap. She was swathed in the finest gold silk, her long-sleeved dress fitting tightly across her chest, and tied around her neck was a faintly shimmery gold lace ribbon.
“But it comes directly from King Edric,” Jardana cut in.
Queen Kaliana set her cold and calculating blue eyes on Jardana, who kept her back ramrod straight. The Queen’s blonde hair was pulled sharply off of her face, which only gave her a more severe appearance. This was not a woman to be underestimated.
“Please remember whom you are speaking with, Affiliate.”
Jardana nodded her head. “Your Highness.”
“Now, be quick with this matter, Catalin. I have business to attend to, and I’m in no mood this morning.”
“High Order Zorian was found dead this morning, Your Majesty.”
Queen Kaliana breathed in sharply. Cyrene watched Prince Kael’s lips thin, and then she quickly diverted her attention.
“Affiliate Jardana was sent here from King Edric for his brother, Prince Kael,” Catalin added.
“She was sent here for the Prince?” the Queen asked, her words as sharp as a razor blade.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Jardana whispered.
“Very well. He will leave at my discretion. In the meantime, Catalin, do hurry along to my Edric and let him know I will be there to deal with this as soon as I am finished with my new Affiliate.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Catalin bobbed a curtsy and then rushed from the room.
“As for you, Jardana,” the Queen began, “you will wait outside for Prince Kael.”
“There’s no need for Jardana to wait while we speak with the new Affiliate. I can find my way,” Prince Kael said.
Jardana’s jaw set at the dismissal. “Of course, Your Majesties.”
She swept out of the room like a thundercloud, and the door slammed shut behind her. Cyrene had been standing back, observing them throughout the entire encounter. She was surprised to find that neither Prince Kael nor Queen Kaliana seemed to be in a rush to find out more about the dead man. In fact, Queen Kaliana seemed to be purposely stalling the Prince from leaving.
“Affiliate Cyrene,” Queen Kaliana said.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” she murmured with an uneasy smile.
“Indeed.” Queen Kaliana contemplatively turned her attention to Prince Kael.
“You slept well, I hope,” Prince Kael said. A sly smile played on his lips.
“Quite well in fact. Nice and warm.” She clenched her hurt hands at her sides. “Thank you for asking.”
Prince Kael’s smile widened.
Queen Kaliana suspiciously eyed them. “Prince Kael was just telling me how kind he was to direct you back to your chambers last night. I’m not certain how you’d missed the information to get there on your own, but you’re here now, so you must have received the instructions I sent to your rooms this morning.”
Cyrene maintained her outward calm, but all the while, she was seething on the inside. The woman had sent no such instructions last night, and she had not done so this morning either. She wondered if Queen Kaliana was the reason for the vile warrior ceremony in the first place.
But Cyrene needed to play along. There was surely some reason for all of this.
“Yes, they were most helpful, My Queen.”
Cyrene would have to find proper directions on her own. She would not be caught unaware again.
“We’re very glad you arrived in time,” Prince Kael said.
“Kael,” the Queen snapped. “I believe you have other matters to attend to. Did we not just receive news that a High
Order was killed?”
Prince Kael slowly dragged his gaze away from Cyrene. “Of course, Your Royal Highness. I was waiting for your leave.”
“You have it. Tell my husband that I will be there to help in any way I can.”
“As you wish. I do hope you save me the pleasure of your delightful company another time.”
The Queen’s stare never wavered, even as his tone openly mocked her in front of a new Affiliate, one of her own. Cyrene could tell she would have flailed him alive if he had been anyone but royalty.
“Thank you, Kael. You may go.”
Prince Kael rose smoothly from the chair, stretching out his lean-muscled body. He swept the Queen a deep bow, and then he managed one only a bit less regal for Cyrene but with an even bigger smile.
Courtier indeed! She wished he hadn’t bowed so low even if the gesture did honor her.
The Queen would surely see it as a slight against her from Prince Kael.
As he walked toward the exit, he stopped right before Cyrene and directly looked her in the eyes. “I would be careful about leaving the grounds, Affiliate. We don’t know what’s out there. You should keep yourself safe.”
Cyrene’s eyebrows rose. Is the Prince worried about me? She had a hard time reconciling this with the man who had been in her room only last night.
He smirked once more, and her eyes followed him as he barged out of the room, letting the door slam behind him. Cyrene didn’t know what to make of him. He was a bit of an enigma.
“What an animal,” Queen Kaliana mumbled. “Always carrying on and slamming doors. You would never guess he was related to my Edric.”
Cyrene didn’t know what to say, so she focused on the room instead. It was nearly twice as large as the foyer outside the chamber and similarly round with two concealed doors on either side of the room. Several hundred-year-old tapestries hung without a day of fading or wear. One showed dancing, another revealed a circle of multicolored mushrooms, and a few appeared to depict an enchanted forest habitat alight with activity. Large colored glass orbs hung from the ceiling and cast a rainbow across the room that was brightly lit from an overhead sunroof. The effect was dazzling.
“Well, let’s make this quick. As you can see, my day is full of important matters.” Queen Kaliana reflexively brushed a piece of hair off her face. “Sit, Cyrene. We need to come to a decision.”