The Adamantists (The Crown Prophecy Book 2)

by M. D. Laird

  “I’m scared, Jacob. I am frightened that they will turn on me and have me executed.”

  “On what grounds?”

  She shrugged. “Calab once told me if I didn’t serve them in the way they expect they will end me.”

  “Calab was probably exaggerating to make a point as he often does and if you’d been able to talk to him better, he could have clarified that, but here we are. We can generally only execute the Crown if they pose a risk to Lycea—it has never happened so this is hypothetical—but the Crown could be executed if they severely undermined the stability of the country.”

  Eve felt panicked. “That’s exactly what I have done! I am on the verge of bringing war to our shores, and I have destroyed the court.”

  “Your Majesty, it has never been enacted. It is a complex and very woolly ruling that forms part of the decree and part of the scripture that dictates the Crown’s position. I doubt anyone would dare to implement it—we did not even use it for the Imperator, and you are arguably a more preferable ruler.”

  She breathed a sigh. “So, I just need to tell them. Be straight and tell them that we are returning to the old court, but tell them in a way that won’t make them think I’m an evil dictator.”

  “Lord Tharazan, may I speak with you?” Eve asked the thorian.

  “You may, Your Majesty” Tharazan replied.

  They entered the parlour and took a seat. Eve felt nervous and poured herself a glass of brandy from the decanters in a cabinet. Tharazan accepted a drink.

  “I thought I should tell you now as I will need your help,” she started. “You may not like it, but I have decided to return the Crown to its old state.”

  “You want to be rid of your democracy?” he asked.

  “I wanted it to work, but it is failing. Things cannot carry on as they are.”

  He frowned. “But you would give up on it so quickly?”

  “It has not been an easy decision.”

  “Your Majesty, forgive me but I have aided you since before your ascension, and you have never once approached me with your concerns about the democracy. Surely it would be better to find a way to make it work rather than give up on it.”

  Eve growled inwardly. She had made up her mind after speaking with Jacob, and now she was questioning herself again.

  Why do I have to be so impressionable?

  “How? The quorum has become a forum for arguments. I feel as though I am in a fighting pit rather than a boardroom each month.”

  “We are still in a period of adjustment, but we have accomplished many things. What is it that concerns you the most? I’m sure we can make adjustments—it was written on paper, not in stone.”

  She smiled softly. “I do not feel there are clear boundaries. I am the queen, but I’ve left myself without the power to be a leader. Many members of the quorum are selfish and greedy, but my policies do not allow me to curtail them. I need to be able to obligate them to ensure that Arkazatinia does not suffer. I don’t want to sound like a dictator, but too often we are leaving the quorum with nothing solved because people have argued over how much money they should pay.”

  Tharazan grinned sheepishly. “The donation system did work better in the past, I grant you. I think that was because the king would order us to increase our donations to make up the shortfall. You could argue that it wasn’t really a donation at all but a tax. I think you lack the confidence to veto or have the final say on matters—perhaps you have left yourself without the power to do so as well—and people are using that to their advantage to get out of paying more. I am also guilty of that, Your Majesty.

  “Instead of axing the democracy, why not look at ways to tighten up your control over your rule. That way, when the democratic approach descends into arguments and shows no signs of being resolved, you can then make the decision. It would likely improve things in the future once people know that you will pull rank and they may become more considered in their actions. I say may because the thorian and the demons will always be selfish, but we may get better at working together—we have managed it in the past.”

  Eve sipped at her brandy. “You have given me a lot to consider, Lord Tharazan. I shall think things over and have a decision made before we return to Arkazatinia. Would you assist me with the admin?”

  He smiled. “Of course,” he replied. “We will make things better, Your Majesty. We will remind everyone why we have a quorum and why we have rulers: salus populi suprema lex esto. The welfare of the people is to be the highest law. It’s from Cicero.”

  Eve smiled and took another sip. Everything Tharazan had said seemed reasonable. Everything Jacob had said seemed reasonable. She wished she knew what to do for the best.

  I’m supposed to know what to do! Why was Tharazan not been given the Crown? He would be so much better at it than I am. He practically runs the Crown anyway—I’m sure I’m just the face of it.

  She found herself craving Calab’s advice. She wished she could just speak to him and ask him what he thought.

  It would help if I knew my own mind.

  Why was she queen? What was Arkazatinia thinking?

  I am out of my depth.

  Eve and her party left the Guild of Sonneillon to return to Arkazatinia the day after the princess returned. She had intended to arrange to meet the king’s heir, but she just wanted to go home. The trip had been a disaster. She was on the verge of agreeing to marriage to save Arkazatinia from war though she was also concerned that her betrothed would try and take her magic from her. She had tasked Tharazan and Queene Orrla with researching the risks and finding some way of protecting her powers.

  She had damaged her friendship with Prince Thomas after torturing him for the second time. He answered her questions politely, but he now regarded her coolly, and without the friendly flirtatiousness she had grown accustomed to. She had struggled to apologise to him. She still found it difficult to accept that he did not even try to protect the princess, but she accepted that she was wrong to hurt him and was pleased that he had gone to speak to the king the next day to bargain for the princess even if she had been severely injured by that point.

  The thought of what the king did to his daughter sickened her. It sickened her as much as the thought that she would likely have to marry into that family. She could see no alternative. They could fight Axandria, and they would probably win, but innocent lives would be lost, and she could not bear the thought—not after all the lives lost against the Alchitch

  Eve arrived at the Guild of the Crown for the CRM to find Calab waiting for her. Her heart lurched when she saw him. She could not decide whether she wanted to run and hug him or turn the vector around and leave. She decided on neither and approached him slowly.

  “Hello, Calab,” she said softly. His eyes met hers, and then he lowered them to the ground.

  “Why didn’t you tell me, Genevieve?”

  “Tell you what?” she asked nervously.

  Has he heard about the prince?

  “About your magic. You’ve known all this time, and you’ve never said anything.”

  “There was never a good time, and I didn’t think much of it. It didn’t seem to be important.”

  “It is.”

  “I realise that now, though only from the reaction of others. I feel no more spectacular than before I knew.”

  He gave a gentle smile. “I’m sorry, Genevieve.”

  “For what?”

  “The letter.”

  “You don’t need to apologise. I understand.”

  “You don’t. I didn’t mean it—not really. I was upset. I was upset with myself for going to your room and then leaving you alone…again. I wanted to apologise to you the next day, I’d bought you flowers and made a picnic, but you didn’t come. I know it was my fault that you didn’t but I got angry, and when you said you were going to Axandria, I panicked. I felt like I had destroyed everything between us and I couldn’t make it right. I didn’t want to
speak to you, and then Thalia shouted at me and told me that I had to stop treating you the way I was as I was driving you away.

  “I stormed out of her quarters, and I knew she was right and that I had driven you away and I felt jealous that you had gone away with Tharazan who is so much better for you than I am. Then…” He hesitated, and his eyes flickered towards Barakel who was stood a few feet behind Eve. “Then I saw Calia, and I invited her for supper.” Eve narrowed her eyes at Calab and turned to look at Barakel. He stood looking professional, though he seemed annoyed. “She refused me, but I felt so ashamed that I’d even asked her that I went home and wrote you the letter to end everything. I was making such a mess of us that I just wanted it to be over. I am truly sorry. I just can’t control my thoughts and I…I am sorry. Can you forgive me?”

  “Calab…I…I can forgive you, but I can’t… Things are different now.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I love you so much, and I need to be close to you, but at the same time, I need to be alone. I feel as though I am waging war with myself. I want you to know that I don’t want anyone else and I wouldn’t have gone through with it if Calia had accepted me—my mood changes so quickly, but you are in my every thought and no one else. I just got jealous of Tharazan, and I wanted revenge. Moments later I realised it was ridiculous.

  “I’m sorry, Barakel. I know it must seem like this is personal as I have done this before, but it really isn’t. I would have propositioned anyone at that moment, and it just happened to be Calia.”

  Barakel nodded and appeared to accept the explanations. Eve interrupted. “What do you mean you have done this before?”

  Calab looked embarrassed. Barakel was unmoved. “A hundred years or so ago,” Calab began. “Before Barakel became involved with Calia he was seeing another girl. I took her from him and took her to my bed. I am not proud of it, and I feel terrible about it now—especially since I propositioned Calia.”

  Eve sighed. “There has never been anything between Tharazan and me,” she said. “I depend on him for advice because he is one of the most level-headed members of the quorum, but nothing more. I depend on Jacob and Ezra just as much.”

  “I know that, Genevieve. You haven’t done anything—it is all me.”

  “Calab, it’s for the best… Things have changed… I” she hesitated. She had to tell him about the prince, but she couldn’t tell him in the doorway. “We need to talk. Can you come for supper tonight?” He nodded, though he appeared saddened that the impulsive decision he had made in his letter still stood.

  It is going to crush him when I tell him.

  “I need to go inside. Are you coming or do you still wish to resign?”

  “I will stay if you’ll let me.”

  The CRM had been an awkward meeting. Eve felt emotionally drained when she left. The quorum were angry that she had kept the details of the power from them. She admitted that she had exaggerated her power after fighting the Alchitch. She told them that she had not thought it powerful, but wanted it to seem that way to protect Arkazatinia. The revelation did not go down well. They did not appreciate being lied to, nor did they appreciate the false security she had given them.

  Eve had dreaded revealing the news to the witches and the Elion who had only surrendered to Eve and joined the alliance because they believed she held a power that could destroy them. Coryn, the head of the witch covern, was silent throughout the meeting, she was always meek whenever the subject of the Alchitch came up, but Eve had seen her anger simmering beneath her apparently calm exterior. Eve would have to speak with her as soon as she could to clear the air between them or risk losing their alliance. The Elion ruler said very little. Really, they had agreed to an alliance to avoid imprisonment or execution for treason rather than because of Eve’s power, so perhaps they had little to say.

  The alliance were also less than impressed that her power had turned out to be that of a great alchemist. Each member expressed concern that it would bring war to their shores. The demons were concerned for their adamantine and informed Eve that they did not care if the king had found a loophole, she would not get access to their adamantine. She tried to reassure them that it was the last thing she wanted and she would do what it took to protect them without adamantine, but they were not reassured and seemed convinced that one day she would think it was a good idea. Avalon even suggested that having her around was too risky and perhaps she should do the decent thing and fade out so they could have a Crown without the power.

  Eve cried on her return to the guild. Her quorum were turning against her, and that was before she even mentioned her plans to change their democracy. Calab had defended her and told the quorum that they should protect the queen who was trying to do what she thought was right rather than attack her for her mistakes. He reminded them that she was still new to the country, to the world and to the Crown. They seemed unconvinced and many considered Avalon’s suggestion to be a sensible one. Only the angels, Tharazan and Thalia appeared to reject it. Eve was hurt that even Queene Orrla and Lord Ezra seemed to think it worthy of consideration as a last resort.

  After a trying day, the last thing Eve wanted to do was tell Calab that she might have to marry someone else. She had withheld informing the quorum and Calab until she knew for sure. Orrla had advised her that there was an alchemical substance that would protect her powers and anyone trying to remove them from her would not be able to use them as they would be effectively tagged to her. Orrla had informed her that she would explain the details at their next session to train Eve’s magic. Now it seemed certain that she would have to marry the prince, she had to inform Calab.

  Calab arrived a little before seven. He appeared reserved and did not try to hug or kiss her. Was he unsure of the boundaries or was he trying to stop himself from being tempted to push things further? Eve presumed it was a little of both.

  “I’m just going to come out with it, Calab. I have waited too long to tell you already, but I had to be sure before I told you this.”

  Calab shuffled in his seat. “We can take things slowly—I will try—”

  “Calab, it’s not you,” she interrupted. “The king has threatened war on Arkazatinia unless I marry his son.”

  Calab looked horrified. “No!” he choked. “You can’t.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t want to, but I can’t bring another war to this land.”

  “If you give into him he will just keep threatening you. What if he threatens war unless you make adamantine weapons?”

  “I will draw up a treaty to make it a condition of the marriage that he won’t ask me and in return he has to stop forced marriages, brutal punishments and ally with us.”

  “Stop forced marriages except your own!”

  “I can’t see another option. People will die unless I do this.”

  Calab’s eyes began to moisten. “Genevieve…”

  She held out her hand for his. “I’m so sorry.”

  “There has to be a way around this. I will assassinate the king if I have to.”

  “There are at least twelve others in line for the throne,” she said. “Only finding the Crown and restoring it would prevent this.” She looked at the table. “The princess even asked me to help her find the damn Crown, and I refused. I wish I’d just helped now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Eve paused as the kitchen staff entered with their meal and wine. “You know how the princess is involved with some rebels?” she continued quietly when they were alone. Calab nodded. “Well, the princess wants to persuade the rebels to change their plans to install their own rule and restore the Crown. She believes they will have the support of the angels and demons if they do that and Thomas will be able to help. They wanted to do it to protect Thomas and Nathaniel’s guilds and their adamantine from the king. The princess wanted me to use alchemy to find the Crown. I don’t know how to do that, but I refused because I thought it would invite war if I were to have any part o
f their revolution.”

  “You’re probably right,” said Calab. “Though I could probably help. I’m not an alchemist, of course, but I can do something to support them—even it is just helping them navigate the Michælis.”

  “You’d do that?”

  He smiled softly and raised her hand to his lips. “Of course I would, Genevieve,” he said. “I haven’t been here for you, and I am sorry.”

  “You don’t have to apologise.”

  “I don’t want you to have to lie to the quorum, but it may be wise to tell only the core members and not the citizens.”

  She nodded reluctantly. “You’re risking a lot. You’d essentially be committing treason.”

  “It will be worth it, and if I am caught, I will not mention that you know. I will tell the king that I was distraught by your intention to marry and I want to stop it—it is the truth.”

  Tears fell down her cheeks, and Calab moved to pull her into his arms. “In the meantime, you should increase your guard. You are at risk from all angles,” he said. “I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you.”

  She sobbed again.

  “You should be careful about what you eat—have your guards check everything—and keep up your shields when out in public. People may try to kidnap you to try to take advantage of your power, but they may also try to kill you because they feel you are a threat to their country or an Arkazatine might feel frightened—they may agree with Avalon and try to take you out. I know this is horrible to hear, but you need to know how much danger you’re in.”

  “Are things ever going to be normal for us, Calab?” she said. “I’m so tired of this. I've had enough of the constant danger, and now I don’t even have the support of my quorum anymore.”

  “They are just annoyed and unnerved about the future. We should perhaps have been honest last year,” he said sadly. “I’m sorry I encouraged that.”