For Want of a Fiend

by Barbara Ann Wright

  Starbride had to laugh. “I’m the crown princess consort and the royal watchdog?”

  “Your mother is helping with all the nobles she’s getting to know. You might have to be the palace rat, building a fear base. If you see courtiers getting into trouble, they’re liable to disappear the next day, that sort of thing. Not many of them will clamor for your attention after that happens.”

  “Horsestrong be praised,” Starbride said before she could stop herself.

  Freddie chuckled slightly. “People knew he did the king’s business, my father. That was one of the reasons people stayed away from him. If the palace knows you’re taking his place, they’ll stay out of your way, giving you a little room to maneuver, but they’ll also be watching the rest of the Order less and won’t question it if you’re sometimes spotted in the seedier parts of town.”

  “I feel a headache coming on.” Starbride switched to another chair, one she could lean back in. “Everything here is so complicated.” She told him about Brutal’s determination to skulk with her.

  “Sounds like something he’d do. I’m very grateful about your ruse the other night. If Brutal ever got a hold of me, he could crack me like a nut.”

  “And he wouldn’t even know what he’d done.”

  “You and I can meet in private if we have to sneak out.”

  Starbride couldn’t hold in a grimace. “I’m going to have to lie more, aren’t I?”

  “Da said people have to be protected from the truth.” He choked up again.

  Starbride swallowed several times. “I remember him saying something like that once, hinting that Katya doesn’t know half the events that make the Order function.”

  “King Einrich knows. He and Crowe were close; he knew what we had to do, if we ever had to quietly dispose of someone. Sometimes, King Einrich even ordered it done. Your relationship with your one-day father-in-law is about to change.”

  Starbride nodded, though she promised herself she wouldn’t keep everything from Katya, that she’d let her into it gradually. After all, if something happened to King Einrich, Katya could find herself queen regent before her niece was old enough to take the throne. “I’m going to tell her that I know who you are, Freddie.”

  “You can’t! She’ll recognize my name. She won’t…let me help her anymore.”

  Starbride peered at him, not missing the pause and guessing it covered the words, “won’t respect me,” or “won’t like me.” She didn’t comment on that. “I’m not going to tell her your name,” she said, “just that I know what you look like and that your face is recognizable.”

  “It’ll eat at her until she gets it out of you.” He still didn’t sit.

  “She never got it out of Crowe.”

  “She wasn’t having sex with Crowe.”

  Starbride barked a laugh. “That would have to be some evening to get me to call out your name.” The statement sounded wrong to her as soon as she said it, and she had to look away, hoping to hide her blush.

  “True enough. And Katya knows you’re my father’s successor. She had to suspect he’d tell you who I am.”

  “Yes.” That was one way to keep Katya from asking. She could say, “Crowe didn’t want you to know.” Not fair to use a dead man, but she was going to have to embrace whatever tactics worked. “I have to go to her.”

  Freddie gestured at the door and turned away. Starbride wanted to say more but had no clue what. “When you get a chance,” Freddie said, “look in the bottom right drawer of his desk. There’s something he wanted you to have.”

  Starbride only nodded and hurried to Katya’s apartment.

  Katya sat on her bed and stared at the wall, no one else with her. Starbride folded her into an embrace and stroked her hair. “Why did they leave you alone?”

  After only a few moments in Starbride’s arms, Katya sat up. “I’m sick of crying. Where did you go?”

  “To see Pennynail.”

  “To…see him?”

  “Without the mask.”

  Katya’s sad face gave way to amazement. “What does he look like? Who is he? Is he even a he?”

  Starbride took a deep breath.

  “Spirits above,” Katya whispered, “you’re not going to tell me, are you?”

  Starbride tried to force out the excuse about Crowe not wanting it, but the words wouldn’t come. “I can’t, and you know why.”

  Katya paced up and down the room, her face dark and angry. Starbride let her fume and waited. Finally, Katya took a deep breath of her own. “I know you’re right, but…”

  Starbride stood and kneaded her shoulders. Katya’s head drooped as she leaned into the contact.

  “Spirits above, Star,” Katya whispered. “What am I going to do?”

  “We’re going to handle it together. All of it. We’re all behind you, Katya, and some of us are even far out to the side of you.”

  Katya chuckled softly. “In the shadows, taking care of the things I can’t. I miss just being the head of the Order.”

  “Oh, just being the head of the Order, secret protectors of the royal family, your family.” She kissed the back of Katya’s neck. “Poor, lazy, run-of-the-mill princess. What did anyone see in her?”

  “Now that I’m the crown princess, are you saying I’m worthy of love?”

  “I’m secretly holding out for queen, but sure.”

  Katya kissed her long and deep. “I love you, Crown Princess Consort Meringue.”

  “And I you, Crown Princess Steppingstone.”

  Katya hugged her hard, making the wind rush from her lungs. “Promise me you won’t die.”

  “I promise.” Starbride shut her eyes and just held on. “And I know you promise the same.” She chuckled slightly, trying to get some air back into the room. “I might get to meet Crowe’s seedy contacts. Do you pity me or are you jealous?”

  “Both. If I’m out hunting traitors, I’ll pity you. If I’m meeting with the nobles’ council, I’ll invoke the spirits with my raging jealousy.”

  *

  Starbride waited until Katya was calmer before she went to Crowe’s office. She’d done everything she could not to think of what Freddie had said, not to speculate on what Crowe might have left her.

  In his desk, she found a small stack of notes, each with a different name on the front in Crowe’s tidy handwriting. She opened hers with trembling fingers.

  “If you’re looking at this,” it read, “I guess I died.”

  Starbride barked a half-laugh, half-sob. She could almost see his wry smile.

  “Don’t blubber,” the note read as if it could hear her. “And tell the rest of them not to be foolish as well. If I died suddenly, the last thing you all need is to be carrying on like a bunch of children who’ve had your sweets stolen.

  “Now, no doubt you’ll have a new teacher from the academy, Starbride, but I want to give you a leg up and tell you which books from my study to focus on. I also want to give you a few more pointers.”

  He fell into a list of what to read and where she could find it in his office. He also named all the pyramids he kept in his cabinet. “Until you learn how to make the more powerful pyramids, use mine sparingly. And be careful with fire pyramids. They won’t just burn your target.” She paid special attention to any instruction he gave on how to subdue the Aspect and any advice he had on Fiends.

  “Please, give the others my notes. And if you ever see Maia again, please tell her how sorry I am. If there’s any of Roland left in that body, tell him I’m sorry, too. I’m proud of you, Starbride. I love how happy you’ve made Katya. I should have said it when I was alive. Maybe I got to at the end, but I’ll say it again: Welcome to our family.”

  Starbride set the note to the side, laid her head on the desk, and wept.

  Chapter Twenty-one: Katya

  Katya stood with her parents when they broke the news to Duke Robert that his daughter was dead. They didn’t mention Crowe, saying only that Brom had taken her own life. They’d told everyone e
lse that Crowe had died from a heart attack that same evening.

  Duke Robert stared without blinking. “And there’s not even…a body?”

  “No,” Da said, and Katya was surprised at the grief in his voice. Maybe it was his feelings for Crowe coming through, or maybe the loss of his grandchildren’s mother really moved him. It didn’t move Katya an inch.

  “Forgive me for…” Duke Robert shook his head, didn’t seem to know whether he was coming or going. “Forgive me,” he said again. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Do you know who might have given her the pyramid?” Da asked.

  “No.”

  Da put an arm around his shoulders. Katya might not have sympathy for Brom, but Duke Robert’s grief moved her a little. Da guided him to a chair. “I hate to ask this so soon, Robert. I know how hurt you must feel, but we need to know how your daughter came by the pyramid she used. Would you submit to a mind probe?”

  “Why?”

  “Whoever gave Brom the pyramid might have tampered with your memory. The crown princess consort could check for you.”

  Duke Robert blinked at them, staring for so long that Katya wondered if he’d been hypnotized. “I will do this,” he said slowly, “in order to find the person who helped my daughter…end her life. I must insist on a different pyradisté than the crown princess consort, one more advanced in learning.”

  “Of course,” Ma said before Katya could argue. “I’ll have someone sent to your apartment before you leave.”

  Duke Robert nodded and stood. He seemed shaky, but he made it through the door unaided.

  Da turned to Katya. “Tell Starbride not to be offended, my girl. He’s of the old guard and wants someone more his age, that’s all.”

  “She won’t be offended,” Katya said. Well, she might be a little, but Katya would tell her to ignore grief-stricken Duke Robert. Or maybe they should focus on him. Maybe it would give them something else to think about besides the empty office down the hall.

  *

  Katya had to catch herself as she walked toward Crowe’s office or reminded herself to tell him something or ask his advice. Starbride had told her that she and Pennynail would take care of Crowe’s property, his personal effects. Katya could almost picture them doing it together, though with the laughing Jack mask always covering Pennynail’s face.

  How long had Starbride known who he was? Since Crowe took her as his protégé? Or more recently? After a few deep breaths, Katya told herself not to worry. That was Crowe’s line, his area. He’d had his reasons for keeping Katya in the dark. Now, Starbride had adopted those reasons. Katya tried to tell herself not to be bitter, but bitter felt so much more comfortable than grieving.

  With no body, they couldn’t even lay Crowe to rest, not that many of the people would have come to his funeral. The king’s pyradisté hadn’t been nobility. He’d had no real money to attract hangers-on, and his reputation as the king’s sneak—as he’d always called himself—guaranteed that many were wary if not outright afraid of him. When Da held a candlelight vigil for Crowe outside of Marienne’s largest knowledge chapterhouse, only the family and the Order attended. His notes brought them all some measure of comfort.

  *

  If all had gone as planned, the fall festival would have marked the end of Reinholt’s visit to Marienne. He would have taken a long, winding route to his holding while stopping at the country houses of various nobles, and spreading goodwill through the villages. Katya couldn’t do the same in his place. With Roland lurking about, she had to stay close to Marienne, and there was no way her father was letting Vierdrin and Bastian out of the city.

  Life in the palace gave Katya a chance to get back to normal, lazing through the hallways like she used to, gathering information, sometimes with Hugo pretending to be a languorous noble at her side. She was glad of his company. Starbride spent most of her time practicing pyramid magic.

  Katya had only taken one step toward the crown, but the effect was immediate; nobles and courtiers clamored for her attention like never before. With the children under the strict gaze of Lord Vincent, she was one of the few royals they could get to. The fact that she might one day be in charge of the kingdom, if only for a short while, made them far more desperate to speak to her than before. When she tired of them, she could usually slip away with Hugo covering her. She knew the palace better than any of them.

  When she ducked away one afternoon, Lady Hilda waited for her around a corner. Katya pulled up short, nearly gaping at the display of stealth.

  “Bored already with your new admirers, Highness?” Lady Hilda slinked forward, as provocative as ever, but Katya spotted a new wariness in her stance.

  “Court can be tedious at times, Lady Hilda. One must be very careful with the company one keeps.”

  “I was just thinking that.” She glided closer and toyed with the clinging bodice of her dress, as if she might pull the plunging neckline down farther. Katya had to resist taking a step back. She didn’t need Lady Hilda for her court persona anymore so saw no reason to spend time with her.

  Before Katya could think of a reason to leave, a voice hailed her. Castelle strode toward them at a fast clip. “I see you still prefer dark corners, Lady Hilda,” Castelle said as she reached them. She offered Katya a deep bow. “Highness.”

  Lady Hilda curtsied. “Baroness Castelle. I haven’t had the pleasure since you’ve been back.”

  Castelle gave her a lecherous wink. “Oh, believe me, the pleasure’s all mine.”

  Lady Hilda smiled slightly, clearly appreciating the compliment.

  “What can I do for you, Baroness?” Katya asked.

  “No offense, Highness, but I was actually looking for the lady. There’s a picnic I’ve been bribed into attending this afternoon, and I’d be blessed beyond belief to have the lovely Lady Hilda on my arm.”

  Lady Hilda blinked a few times. “It would be my honor, Baroness.”

  Castelle held out an arm. “With your permission, Highness?”

  Katya waved them away, so grateful she could have thrown her arms around Castelle’s neck. Before Castelle turned away, she winked as if to acknowledge the great favor she’d just done the crown.

  *

  The sight of Queen Mother Meredin sitting in her parents’ sitting room stopped Katya cold. Her petite grandmother smiled and opened her arms. “Granddaughter.”

  Katya had such a clear memory of hurling herself into those arms as a child that she had to pause. Now she’d probably knock her grandmother over. She walked forward calmly and folded her in a hug. She felt fragile in Katya’s arms, and her head fit under Katya’s chin. Her voluminous gown probably weighed more than she did.

  “No fanfare for your arrival?” Katya asked.

  Her grandmother sank back onto the settee across from Ma. “I’m too old for fanfare. I came in an unmarked coach, as befits the queen mother.” She patted the seat next to her. “I want you to know how proud I am of you, Katyarianna. You’ve followed beautifully in the footsteps of my son. I only wish I could say the same for your brother.”

  At the mention of Reinholt, Ma’s face didn’t show any slip of its serene mask, but Katya knew she had to be awash in feelings.

  “I wish I could say the same for my youngest, too,” her grandmother said.

  Katya sucked in a breath, surprised by her sudden urge to defend her uncle. She’d convinced herself that the Fiend had taken control of him, that so little of Roland remained that he could be absolved from any blame.

  Instead of responding, Katya blurted, “I’m sorry you had to come here like this, Grandmother.” Not Grandma, not out loud anyway; that was reserved for Ma’s less strict parents.

  “The kingdom’s needs, dear heart. I know you understand.”

  A moment later, Starbride came in, probably looking for Katya, or maybe Averie had told her the queen mother had arrived. She bowed deeply, and Katya’s grandmother gave Starbride a gracious nod, clearly pleased with the level of respect. When Da ente
red, his mother embraced him with a happy smile. When asked if she wanted to see her great-grandchildren, though, she waved the idea away.

  “Perhaps after the Waltz,” she said.

  “Don’t you want to rest, Mother?” Da asked. “You must be tired.”

  “I’d rather get the unpleasantness out of the way.”

  Katya narrowed her eyes. She didn’t doubt her grandmother, but she felt there was an undercurrent in the room that she wasn’t quite picking up. A pall settled over her shoulders, both at her grandmother’s haste and at the thought of going back into the cavern so soon.

  But the Waltz had to be done, and her grandmother would suffer no delays. They sent for Hugo and trooped again to the cavern beneath the palace.

  On the walk, Katya leaned close to Starbride’s ear. “Crowe taught you what you need to know to do this?”

  “We came up with it together, and I’ve got his large pyramid waiting by the central capstone. There isn’t much for me to do, to tell the truth. The great pyramid does the work.” She gripped Katya’s hand. “Pennynail won’t be joining us. Are you all right coming down here again?”

  Katya gave her a tired smile. With all that had been happening, she hadn’t allowed herself to think of returning to the site where Crowe had died. She braced herself for the bowl-shaped depression.

  No one really spoke on the trek through the passageways. Any attempts at conversation died before they began. The Waltz had always been matter-of-fact to Katya; she’d known about it for as long as she could remember. It was just something that happened every five years, whether she was directly involved or not. Since Roland, it had taken on a sinister edge that she supposed she should have associated it with from the beginning. Starbride surely did. When Katya stepped into the toothy cavern, her heart quickened.

  She looked for the bowl in the earth, the place where Crowe had died. She wanted to get her sorrow over and done with. Someone had laid flowers in the bottom of the bowl.

  Katya stared at the blossoms, so bright against the browns and grays of the stone. “I thought Pennynail didn’t want to come back here.”