I will not start my reign with bloodshed.
I catch Leif’s face in the crowd, standing between Imogen and Tui. I’d been afraid to see what I’d find there, once I’d said all this. But his mouth is smiling, his face soft. Proud. My eyes catch his and his grin grows even wider.
My heart slows. My trembling ceases. I smile back.
Despite the late hour, it takes a long time for everyone to settle in for the night, but then it’s quiet. I’d expected scuffles to break out, at the very least, but the Loyalists keep their distance. I’m still fairly certain they don’t know what to make of all of us. When I looked out at the crowd of Treasoners, I’d expected to see the hundred or so faces I was familiar with … but there were more. A lot more. I could have sworn I saw Hannah out there; there must be more people still left in the Bastion that have joined up with us. Or just finally come to see what all the commotion was about.
“You’re not asleep, are you?” Leif’s breath is in my hair. His body is curled around mine and he pulls me closer to him. A row of tents has been set up along the perimeter of the square and the Treasoners are taking turns sleeping and keeping watch. Leif and I are in a small, nondescript one. We’d ducked in while no one was looking.
I shake my head. “No. How can I possibly sleep with all that’s going on? And besides, I can hear Cecil snoring right on the other side of the canvas.” I realize that might be a dead giveaway as to my whereabouts. But … they’d have to get past the huge bearcat, after all.
“True, that. Well, I can’t sleep either. This is it—it’s nearly your time. Dominic will get tired of his little game—he’s just a kid. We’ll make it so difficult for him to rule, he’ll step down. Raven …” Leif pauses.
I turn to face him. The lanterns in the square have gone out, but the moon is directly above us; moonlight seeps through the tent’s cracks. His hair is silver in the dim light, and strands have fallen into his face; I brush the soft curls back, tucking them behind his ear so I can look directly into his eyes.
“Yes?”
“While I was watching you speak to everyone, in the square tonight, I realized something, having to do with our conversation from a few days ago. What I realized was … I’ve not been completely honest with you.”
“Oh?” I say this dryly; Leif and I both know his storytelling can get a little out of hand.
“I’m being serious.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Go on.”
“I’ve told you how I’d first heard of you, when old King Araroa had sent his Hunters out, and I’d joined up with them in the search for you. And you were right when you said I’d fallen in love with the idea of you. It’s true, I had. I’d built this image up in my head of this stunningly beautiful, majestic girl, who was born to be a true Woman King. Long before I ever laid eyes on you, my insides would thrill just thinking about the girl out there who would rule Nadir one day.”
I say nothing. My heart speeds up, I feel a flush rising at hearing what I’d always feared: that Leif’s really only in love with me because I’m meant to be Nadir’s Woman King.
He takes my damp hands into his own and grips onto them tightly.
“But that’s all changed, Raven. Watching you speak to everyone tonight, I realized that I’d gladly not share you, after all. That who I really, truly love is simply you: Raven. Your stunningly beautiful, majestic heart. I’d do just about anything to see you on Nadir’s throne, but I’d never, ever risk you. I’d throw away any notion of seeing a Woman King in power again, if that meant losing you. I don’t care if it’s just the two of us living in a cave somewhere, eating berries and horse dung. Even if you wanted to give all this up, if you wanted nothing more than to return to Baldachin, I’d help you build our house up in the trees. And then happily … er … help you populate it.”
I can’t help grinning at that idea. “Maybe we should get a kitten first.”
He laughs. “Yeah, I think that would be ideal. But listen, I mean this, I do. It’s you I love, Raven. You. I agreed to marry you. Not you as a Woman King, here or on Nuimana. It’s the you, the treevillager who was raised by your mum and papa, your godmother Lilith, your best friend Tui. The you that fished and swam in the river, climbed trees, loved your horse, Pearl. Am I making sense? I feel like I’m just—”
“Shhhh … .” I place my finger on his lips to silence him. Hearing him stumble over his words tells me he can only be speaking the truth. That they aren’t some story he’d planned earlier. All the doubt I’ve held seems to vanish. “I believe you, I really do. I’m sorry I said all that before. I know you love me … all that I am. Of the little I have to depend on, that’s the most important thing. It’s the only thing I can depend on in this world.”
Leif’s furrowed brows soften. “And you can depend on my love, Raven, always.” A corner of his mouth quirks up; I can tell he’s trying not to grin.
“What?”
“I’m sorry, I’m still just thinking of the possibility of repopulating Baldachin with you.”
I punch his arm playfully, then we grab hold of one another, laughing.
He rolls on top of me, and we just gaze at each other for a few moments, trying to catch our breaths again. I close my eyes, relishing the feel of his weight on me. It doesn’t seem right to be here, like this, but just remembering what’s going on outside, where we are, sends a small thrill down my spine. I feel his hands digging into my hair on either side of my head, his arms pressed against my shoulders. I can’t move—I’ve never felt so protected. I keep my eyes closed, letting my mouth relax into a soft smile. I smell peppermint, then taste it as he presses his mouth onto mine. Soft at first, then hungrier. I try to move my arms, but he’s got them pinned beneath him. I struggle for a few seconds, but he doesn’t budge.
I give in, relax, melt into him. He releases my mouth, but I want more. I open my eyes, straining my face toward his.
He hesitates, holding my head solidly, then leans down and kisses my forehead. “We should get some sleep. The morning’s going to come far too soon.”
I drop my head back to the makeshift pillow, nodding silently. He kisses my mouth one final time, just a quick one, then rolls off me, back onto his side. I curl up against him again, and he wraps his arms around me. As we fall asleep at last, I forget, just for a few moments, where I am.
We could be anywhere: Nuimana, Baldachin, the Zenith Mountains, the port. For a few luxurious seconds, it doesn’t matter. Dominic doesn’t matter, this war doesn’t matter. Leif’s words resound in my ears, over and over.
He simply loves me.
Trumpets blare from the Palace turrets at dawn. I’m disoriented at first, then I remember where I am: leading hundreds of Treasoners, standing in direct defiance to the newly crowned King of Nadir, my blood brother, Dominic.
I groan.
Not wanting to get up and deal with this reality quite yet, I roll over, reaching for Leif.
He’s not there.
After only a few hours of sleep, I tiredly pull on my boots and jacket, then crawl through the flap of the tent.
Leif’s standing just outside, holding two mugs of coffee. He smiles when he sees me emerge, then holds one of the mugs out to me. “Good morning, m’lady,” he says with a nod.
I gratefully accept the coffee, and take several sips. It’s strong and delicious. “Where’d this come from? I thought we were out of coffee?”
He shrugs. “It seems another delivery from our secret admirers in the Palace arrived late last night. Can’t say it’s unwelcome.”
I certainly can’t either. It’s more than that: with support both within and outside the Palace, we’ve got Dominic surrounded on all sides. There’s no way he can effectively rule this way. Not for long, anyhow.
Leif takes another slug of coffee, then clears his throat. “I just spoke with my papa. Seems he’s leaving with Cat today? To head out in search of your family? Why didn’t you tell me this last night?” His smile is gone, his brows are furrowed.
Leif studies my face for a moment. Then he reaches up and smooths down my hair, his face softening. “I believe you. Don’t worry yourself about it.”
“Are you mad at me? For suggesting to him that he go? It was his idea. But I’ll be honest, I didn’t discourage him from going.”
Leif places his hand on my shoulder. “No, I think it’s the perfect job for him really. It’s best if he’s not here in the Bastion anyway, in case things get … difficult. Besides he’ll have Catriona with him. She’ll keep him out of trouble.”
“Where’d you last see him?”
“He and Cat were provisioning to go. Shall we find them?”
I nod, a deep sense of relief settling in the pit of my stomach. I was sure Leif would be furious that I’d suggested Nile and Catriona head out to search for Mum and Papa. Especially knowing how he feels about it: that they are probably gone forever.
I still refuse to accept that possibility. I’ve got to know the truth.
We start toward where the food stores are being kept, toward a corner of the square. It takes us a long time to get there, as I’m stopped at least every three yards by someone greeting me, or asking what’s happening.
I look around to survey the situation and am glad to see the Loyalists have all moved toward the Palace; I also notice the bearcats have formed a line between us and them—no chance of anyone getting through that barricade.
Indeed, Leif and I find Nile filling his pack with stores. The first thing that takes me aback is the size of the pile of goods stacked up.
“Is this all from … the Palace?” I whisper those last two words. The women nod, still looking shocked themselves. “Did you see who delivered it?”
“No, m’lady,” says one. “It all simply appeared here sometime during the night. When nobody was watching the stores. It’s enough to feed us all for a week, very well too!”
“Plenty for us, to boot!” Nile swings his bulging pack over a shoulder.
“Where’s Catriona?” I ask him. He tilts his head, and I look in the direction he indicates.
Catriona and Tui are clearly arguing. He’s motioning with his hands wildly, then puts them firmly on her shoulders. She shakes them off, then whirls away from him, stomps toward us. Tui’s face falls, his shoulders sag with disappointment as he watches her go. I quickly look the other way.
When she reaches us, she hefts her pack onto her shoulders. “Ah! There you are, Raven. Nile and I are ready to go. We’re going to return to the port first. I think we’ll take Hazel and George with us, to increase our travel range. If that’s okay with you, and Leif, of course.”
“Of course,” I tell her. “I was going to suggest that too.”
“Fine with me,” Leif adds. “Take care of my papa, will you?”
“I will. Don’t you worry about him, Leif.”
“What do you mean?” Nile interjects. “I’m the one who’ll be taking care of this lass.” He throws an arm around her shoulders. Catriona laughs, tossing her head back.
“I’ll take care of him”—I motion toward Tui with my chin—“he’ll be okay.”
Catriona glances at Tui, then turns back to me with a grin. “He’ll get over it. He’s got to. He doesn’t have any other choice. Ready, Nile?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Leif and I each give Nile a hug, then I turn toward Catriona. “The gates … ?” I start to ask her.
But she shakes her head. “We’re heading out the underground tunnel. I prefer not to run into anyone. Never know what they’ll do.”
“Very well. Good luck and send word, if you can, with your progress.”
“Will do,” they both say in unison. Nile grabs my hand, places a kiss there, then he and Catriona are gone.
Leif sighs, then wraps a long arm solidly around my shoulders. “I feel bad for Tui, I really do. I know what it’s like to say goodbye to your love—”
He’s interrupted by a loud horn blowing from the Palace balcony.
We both turn to see Dominic standing there. At this distance, he’s tiny, like a doll. His small, white hands are clasping onto the balcony railing. There are several older men standing behind him—his counselors. The ones running this whole show.
Clearly he’s about to speak. Leif and I move closer.
The crowd of Treasoners, milling about, parts, and we stop behind the line of bearcats.
Dominic’s eyes focus on mine like arrows. “Hello, dear sister. I see you and your … people are still here. Which means all of you are trespassing.”
At this distance, I can see he has dark circles under his eyes. His face is whiter, more gaunt than I remember; clearly he didn’t sleep well after our meeting last night. Clearly the pressure is getting to him.
“We are not trespassing,” I yell up to him. “This is our city as much as it is yours. More so, in fact, as the throne belongs to me. You are the trespasser.”
He presses his lips so tightly together they go pale. “You have twenty-four hours to depart. If you are not gone by tomorrow morning, I will order my Hunters to shoot.”
I panic, just for a moment. I’ve got to say just the right thing. I’ve got to counter with a threat equally potent. There is a deep purr next to me and I know Cecil has moved closer.
“If you do not vacate the Palace within that same twenty-four hours, my bearcats will kill your Hunters. Along with any remaining Loyalists.” I look at several of the Loyalists, standing on the other side of the line of bearcats. They’re trying to look impassive, but I can see the flicker of fear in their eyes.
I look back up at Dominic. His eyes are filled with that same fear. I watch him swallow, his jaw clenched tightly.
One of the men standing behind him leans down and whispers in his ear.
“Your threats are meaningless. It’s your choice,” he says, but I can hear the waver in his voice. Another of his men tugs at his sleeve, then they all turn to go back inside the Palace.
In front of me, the bearcats emit a low, threatening growl in unison. As the sound reverberates through the square, I can’t help it as a small smile forms on my lips.
I’m sure glad the bearcats are on my side, but I can’t help the tiny seed of guilt that plants itself in my stomach. If any harm came to them … because of me. No—I immediately strike that thought. They’ve been paying—harmed—for centuries, ever since King Katan exiled them from their ancestral mountains, interning them to those dank, dark woods.
They are fighting for their freedom as much as any of us.
With the countdown officially on, the Treasoners are ready for attack. Only, my mind is consumed with doubt. The last thing I want is bloodshed—there’s been more than enough already.
Am I really doing the right thing?
I find Imogen that afternoon. I haven’t had a chance to speak with her today, but it can’t wait another moment.
She’s sparring with some Treasoners. I watch her move, graceful and skilled. I step up, holding up the sword she’s lent me.
When Imogen sees me standing there, she smiles and waves me over. “It’s high time you had some practice with that.”
“You don’t want her back? In case we … actually have to fight?”
Imogen shakes her head. “No, I can fight with anything. That one suits you—not as much as Fortissima, but good enough. Ready?”
Imogen brings her sword up and I do the same.
We spar for an hour. At first I stumble and she’s killed me at least a dozen times. Then I finally get used to her sword’s heft and block her successfully, each time.
I’m wiping the sweat from my forehead and Imogen’s doing the same when there is clapping all around us. I hadn’t realized we’d drawn such a large audience. Of course, Leif’s f
ace is the first that comes into focus, then Tui’s next to him. Both of my friends are clapping and grinning wildly.
“Her Majesty Raven Araroa!” Imogen shouts, bowing to me with a flourish.
I’m glad my face is hot and already red, so they can’t see me blushing. I really didn’t mean to put on a show.
But a cheer goes up, and the clapping continues, louder than before. I take a deep bow, figuring I might as well play it up.
Once the excitement has died down, Imogen and I take our leave, now spent and eager for rest.
Somebody thrusts a mug of cool water into my hand and I drink it up eagerly.
I finally get the chance to ask Imogen what’s on my mind.
“What if he really does it, Imogen? What if Dominic really orders his Hunters to attack? I won’t have any of my bearcats harmed, nor any of the Treasoners. I’d rather stand down than face either of those possibilities.”
Imogen takes a long slug of her water before she replies. “You don’t really believe that though. Case in point, the little sparring session we just had? You wouldn’t have done that if you thought you didn’t need to.”
I consider that, supposing she’s right. “I just want to be ready for anything. I really would prefer there to be no fighting. Besides, Woman Kings are known to be peaceful. We … are not warriors.”
Imogen sighs. “That may be true, but you still have to stand up for what is rightfully yours. And that, m’lady, is the throne in that Palace over there. It belongs to you. We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to see you upon it. Even if that means bloodshed.”
“I’d still prefer this be settled over the rule of law. If only I had those tablets …”
Confusion crosses Imogen’s face. “What tablets?”
“The ones that have our law—Diuturnal Law—written on them.”
Imogen shakes her head. “Those haven’t been seen for centuries. But you’re right, if we had those, or any written replica, it would be proof of your right to the throne. Dominic’s … counselors”—she says the word with a mocking sneer—“wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. They’d have to take their leave at once. But the chance of any written evidence of that law existing, well, it’s slim to none.”
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