Pawn of the Crown

by Cheryl Oblon

  I rubbed my neck. “Thank you. It’s his fault, no one else’s. Hopefully, he hasn’t done any damage to the queen’s position. The Bachal were here when he was in the dungeon. I hope he didn’t make any friends.”

  “Whatever he did, it’s not your fault. You didn’t help him.” Marel programmed the food replicator with dinner instructions.

  “I did not help him. Not to spy or rebel. Not to escape. The only thing I did was help keep him alive in the dungeon. Maybe I should’ve helped him more? Tried to change his mind?”

  Marel turned to me. “You love your father. As bad as he is, that is not a crime. You just need to keep quiet about any feelings and stay away from him when he’s caught. You’ll make it through this. You’ve made it through so much.”

  I had, but it never ended. The monarchy worked because it was a life-long job. If trained right, those who held the top spots were committed to their country above themselves. They were devoted to the best for the people, rather than selfish pursuits.

  “You look so serious,” Marel said.

  “I’m beginning to understand how elections and terms of service came into being.” It was easier to serve a term after winning an election. Once out of office, you were free to pursue whatever you wanted again. If you ran over and over, you had the distraction of winning people’s vote.

  Marel stared at me. “You can’t say things like that.”

  I felt her shock. “I wouldn’t want it. But I am feeling the pressure. The forever-ness of my job. My life isn’t mine. It belongs to the country.”

  “Yes, so enjoy the perks and the handsome man who cares about you. Maybe now you understand why Minnette is so frustrated, as well.” Marel smiled.

  I shook my head. “Minnette was so awful to you before, and you still have sympathy for her. You’re too nice, Marel.”

  “Not at all. I understand my luck. I can do my art, serve my queen by attending you, and be with a friend. Someday, I’ll find the right man and have a family. Maybe a private life or maybe a court one. The pressure on me will never be what you must live with. I’m grateful for that.”

  “I hope you find the best sort of man, and that he adores you.” I let the guilt nag at me. She’d fallen for a man who’d been out to kill me, and somehow I’d missed any warning signs he was evil. But, Ballen had fooled a lot of people, not just me.

  She pushed my arm. “Someday. Now, go. I want you and Nemal to have some time together while you can.”

  I couldn’t argue and headed back to the living space. Nemal saw we were alone. He hugged me, and I inhaled deeply. I felt safe and burden-free in his arms, but it never lasted. It couldn’t. He’d be head of the Queen’s Guard one day. I knew it. He was brave and smart. Princes could never be kings. Here, there was no such position as king.

  “No one doubts your loyalty. They just worry you’ll help him out of love. Family connections are strong. If you helped him escape, confess, and it’ll be over.”

  I pulled away. Glaring at him, I said, “I did not help him. I will never help him.”

  “Okay, calm down. I don’t know how you do it. How you can live with it. I couldn’t stand there and watch anyone in my family be dragged off to a life of hard labor. He’s your father. As much as he’s an enemy of the crown, he’s still your father.” Nemal held my hand.

  “I know. But he’s not standing by me. He used my mother and me. My destiny is here. My life’s work is for this country. I don’t know what he wants or why he can’t be content with the peaceful life we have here. War kills so many. I feel like he is rooting for war or chaos and total upheaval.” I sighed.

  “Can you feel him?” he asked.

  “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I don’t know how to explain it, but he covets the power. He was never in line to be on the throne or be ruler. If he hadn’t married my mother, he’d have no clue what the court was like.” I resented his greed and lust for power.

  “If you have nothing, you have nothing to lose…as they say. His family isn’t high ranking. Barely magical. Some people need to distinguish themselves in another way. An easier way. Even if it hurts others.” He caressed my cheek.

  “The easy way is never the right way. But why can’t it be easy for me just once?” I asked.

  “We’ll catch him. My uncle Johey is leading the search party, and he was there when they found him the first time. Not much slips by him.” Nemal hugged me again.

  “To the dining room, please. Dinner,” Marel announced.

  I kissed Nemal’s cheek. I hoped his uncle quickly captured my father, and it was all behind me soon. But Father had tried to flee when they wanted to question him about my mother’s death. He wouldn’t make the same mistakes twice. He’d have learned from that escape attempt and done a much better job the next time.

  Telling anyone that wouldn’t help. They’d ask how he’d improve or what he’d do, and I had no idea. I only knew his nature. I got my tenacity from him. Failing was okay as long as you tried again and learned from the last attempt. He was never discouraged.

  I sat at the table and pushed reality from my mind. Romantic flirtation with Nemal, a good meal, and contemplating a match for Minnette—that was all I could handle for this evening. The right man for her…I had a quick flash, and I knew that he would come from my own family. Someone powerful and confident enough to handle the future queen. I had some options.

  “She’s thinking hard again.” Marel giggled.

  “That’s the best part of Kimess. She never gives up, even when things get hard.” Nemal poured the wine.

  I had to keep going. A royal wedding was a happy event that would change the topic once my father had been dealt with. Timing, sometimes, mattered more than the results, and I had to be ready to make the right introduction at the right time.

  Chapter 2

  The next day, after lunch, Nemal led me to the dungeon. I half expected to see my father in chains. Cragna, the dungeon keeper, bowed to me in deference. That was a big change from before when I'd been brought here after my mother died.

  Seelon, a top man of the Queen’s Guard, waited for me in an interrogation room. It felt just like last time, except he stood and nodded at me. There was respect for my rank, even if I was a suspect of sorts.

  “I want to stay,” Nemal said.

  “No. She can take care of herself,” Seelon said.

  “Thank you, Nemal. I’ll be fine.” I smiled and took a seat.

  The heavy door swung shut behind him.

  “You seem to attract trouble,” Seelon said.

  “My father creates trouble. I can’t escape my connection to him by birth, but I didn’t help him.” The little time I’d had to myself had let me mentally build up my defenses. Appearing strong was critical for me to keep the respect which came with my title. I wanted people to trust me, believe in me, and not just fear me because of my position.

  “I know you didn’t leave the castle, but your father has family. You are free to communicate with your family.”

  “I don’t. Not with his side. They are rather unpredictable. You can check, but I know you’ve had me followed every time I’ve left the castle.”

  “Your father’s family is nothing but rebels. Have you communicated telepathically with them?” Seelon asked.

  “No, they’re too far away to read their minds. If you bring them in, I’ll see what they know. His sister is the one I bet he’ll trust most.”

  “We’ll bring her in first thing,” he said.

  “What about my cousins? Julianne and Ember? Are they safe? He hasn’t bothered them?”

  Seelon turned it back on me. “You think he would?”

  “No, but if he were desperate, he knows my estate. He lived there for decades. He could try to hide on it. Grab supplies. I don’t want him hurting my cousins. I’d appreciate if you would check on them.” I made it sound like a command.

  “Anyone else?”

  “He’d probably lik
e to hurt Simma if he could. She lives in the outskirts, not too far from the border. She’d turn him in immediately.”

  “Unless he got to her first and killed her?” Seelon asked.

  “I don’t know if he’s that violent, but if he is headed for the border, he might target her and do some damage. Then again, if he’s smart, he’d avoid her because you might expect him to seek revenge. It’s somewhere to check,” I said.

  He tapped on his tablet. “Very helpful.”

  “What else can I do?” I asked.

  “You’ve had no communications from him or any of his friends?”

  “None. I’m sure you’ve had my rooms searched,” I said. “I have nothing to hide.”

  Seelon pressed. “No contact with your aunt or any of his rebel contacts?”

  “No. I’ve devoted my life to the court and country. My father chose to turn on my family and me. His allies killed my mother. I can’t control him, but I won’t help him. He was more interested in his own rebellion than helping me.” I couldn’t be loyal to everyone at once. Choices had to be made.

  Seelon said, “So, you believe he’ll return to his allies and resume his work. Not just hide out somewhere.”

  “He always kept his friends and private dealings far away from me when he lived at home. He’s good at hiding things and keeping secrets. We may have rid the castle of rebels and sympathizers, but they still exist out in the population.” Nothing I said was shocking or very interesting.

  “We’re working on identifying them, as well. To keep watch.” Seelon reviewed his tablet. “Where might your father go for safety? Names of friends? A favorite vacation spot? Anything might help if we can find him with followers.”

  “Followers?” I stifled a laugh. “He’s not a leader.”

  Seelon tossed the tablet on the cold white table between us. “You don’t understand.”

  I refused to be intimidated. “Explain it to me.”

  “Your father, he used his proximity to your mother to keep his influence and power among the rebels. Your mother was a complete monarchist who had family and history. You’re very young to be where you are. You chose your mother’s side, but you are half of your father.” Seelon leaned back.

  I sat straighter. “You really think I’d ever side with him? The rebels are violent and dangerous. Most of them probably want to use him to kill me so I can’t help the crown. That’s what they did to my mother. I’m not a foolishly trusting little girl. I was raised to protect the fifth family, and I will. That means, first and foremost, I stay alive.”

  “After what they did to your mother, it’s understandable. But it also leaves you with only a father. Your powers are useful to anyone you serve. Perhaps the rebels were too hasty, but maybe some of them have brains and patience?” Seelon asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know them, and I have no interest in meeting them. No contact desired.”

  “You may remember something from your childhood. Someone whom you met or your father spoke about when he thought you weren’t listening. Anything that could help,” Seelon said.

  Anything? The only thing I could imagine that might help would be to pretend to take my father’s side. I couldn’t believe the queen would allow it. “Do you want me to play traitor? Pretend to be on his side?”

  “No, that would be too dangerous. If your powers fell into the wrong hands and they could find a way to control you…It’s a risk we can’t take. But if you have any leads or feel your father coming near the castle, we need to know. He may want you to join his group.”

  “I won’t,” I shot back.

  “You may not be given a choice,” Seelon said calmly.

  I frowned. “My father couldn’t kidnap me. My powers are far beyond his.”

  “But you may let your guard down around him. He may have many followers to help him and distract you.” Seelon looked me in the eye.

  “Followers?” I dipped into Seelon’s mind. The man was no fool. His concern was legitimate, but he was actually worried by the idea that the rebels might not be a small and isolated group. “You think he’s using me, my name and position, to gather more followers? You think he’s pretending to have influence over me and convincing people it’ll benefit them?”

  Seelon frowned. “It’s what I’d do in his shoes.”

  I rubbed my temple. “We have to stop him. The rebels are undermining the queen. We’re a monarchy, but people have to have faith in our queen and her advisors.”

  Seelon pointed at me. “You think back, and get me something to go on. You are not to go after him. It’s too dangerous. We don’t know where he might have safe houses and friends.”

  “I want him recaptured, but I’m not foolish enough to try to do it myself.” Dragging him back to the castle might prove my loyalty, but those who wanted to doubt me would always find a reason.

  “Good.” He stood. “Perhaps you’ll help us to determine what some suspects know. If they are lying or not.”

  “Sure. You have someone to talk to?” I mentally searched the castle for enemies. I found my aunt.

  Aunt Elani was my father’s sister. A moody and erratic woman, she’d crashed a party at the castle before. Had she come willingly?

  “Your aunt is good at playing dumb. I believe she is a partner in his work. She may convince the women and he can convince the men…but she’s not talking about where her brother is headed.” Seelon waved for me to follow.

  We walked into the dungeon, and my aunt was in the same cell as before. Seelon opened the door, and I saw her in a chair with chains linked from her limbs to the wall.

  Seelon waited for me. It was a sign of respect. We were in his realm, but I still outranked him. He wanted my aunt to see that. I looked her in the eyes as I entered. The edges of her mouth curled.

  “I’d stand and bow, but I’m rather tied up.” Aunt Elani laughed.

  “Where is my father?” I asked.

  “Miss your daddy?” she teased.

  “He’s making my life unpleasant. He needs to serve out his sentence.”

  “We searched Elani’s house. He was there for a time,” Seelon said.

  “My brother visited me. I had no idea what he was sentenced to. I thought my niece used her influence to get him released. Too weak yet, my dear? Couldn’t pull enough strings?” Elani taunted.

  “He can’t be let loose to cause trouble. He should’ve been left in the dungeon,” I said.

  Elani grinned. “I wouldn’t second guess the queen. You are too bold. You’re not a queen.”

  “I don’t second guess my queen. She simply underestimated Father’s ability to escape. I won’t take the blame. I didn’t help him.”

  “Ah. No, you’re no help at all to any of us.” Elani shook her head at me.

  “Where did Father go?”

  “He didn’t tell me. He knew that would put me in danger.” Elani looked around. “I haven’t committed any crime.”

  “But you know where he’s likely to go. Who he works with. Tell us what you know,” I said.

  “So you can execute my brother? No.” She glared.

  Seelon cleared his throat. “You want to stay here?”

  “No, but I will,” she replied.

  I leaned over her so she couldn’t see Seelon. “Did he go to the city to gain followers or run for another country?”

  She looked down and kept her mouth shut, but I pushed my way into her brain and got the answer.

  “He’s probably across the border, by now,” I said to Seelon.

  “So much stronger than before, Niece,” Elani said.

  “I’d say thank you for the compliment, but you’re not happy about it. Where is he headed?” I demanded.

  “I don’t know that. Out of Lazrel and somewhere safe. He wanted to see you, but it was too dangerous. I refused to let him use the relocator. Men do need to be protected from their own weaknesses, but he’ll be a great leader.” She grinned.

/>   “He’s no leader. He’s a coward. He’ll be caught.”

  My aunt stared at me. “If that happens, he’ll be executed, I’m sure.”

  I didn’t even flinch. “The queen will decide his fate, and I will be there.”

  “Some daughter.”

  I smiled. “I am no longer a daughter. I’m the ruler of the fifth house and Royal Seer to the queen. Responsibilities change. I know where my loyalties lie. You might need to figure that out for yourself, Aunt.”

  “Help us, and we’ll lessen your sentence. The rebels won’t win,” Seelon pushed.

  “I’m loyal to my family and won’t turn on them,” she said loudly.

  I crossed my arms. “I rule the fifth house. You took all the aid and extras that came with the connection. I decide what my family should be loyal to. You’re rejecting me.”

  She lifted her chin. “My family wasn’t part of the magical families until my brother married into it. My family has no ruler. Not you. Not anyone.”

  Some human families had magical members. My aunt had no powers, but her brother had telepathy. I probed her mind and realized she’d given up all she knew. She'd helped her brother, of course she had, but he was too smart to tell her details. Aunt Elani loved drama, but she’d never stand up to torture or even serious discomfort for long. The only tidbit she knew we were already aware of. He was, indeed, going for the Bachal border.

  “Then you and the rest are cut off from any help from the fifth family immediately. That should make you happy.” I exited the cell.

  Seelon tried a few more times to get a name or a location. She wouldn’t budge. Finally, he slammed the cell door behind him.

  “She’s a headache.” He shook his head.

  “Yes. She loves drama. She wants power, but lacks the persuasive and charming personality needed. My father is better at talking people into things.”

  “She doesn’t want rebellion. War.” Seelon headed back to his office.

  I followed. “She does like her creature comforts and having women in charge, but she’d never tell my father that. She’s very mad I pulled my support from her family. I only did that once I knew she wouldn’t give us anything. My father is the only person who has never betrayed her. She won’t give him up. Not even if you torture her.”