Prisoner of the Crown

by Cheryl Oblon

  However, I had to be ready for whatever they threw at me in the negotiations. I was in over my head, but I’d never been a bad student. Focusing on the homework might distract me a bit.

  Chapter 5

  When my grandmother died, my mother remarked that in grief it felt like all people do is eat and sleep. That proved true now. I couldn’t even visit with people to make me feel better. I’d taken the tablet and lunch to bed and read about the Bachal until I fell asleep. I’d been taught about them in school, but now that I had to face them, the stakes were much higher.

  Luckily, the tablet had beeped to remind me about my dinner. After freshening up, I hit the button on the door. I wasn’t hungry, but I wanted to see my cousins. The door opened, and a different guard gave me a grumpy look. His thoughts told me I’d interrupted his nap. His job guarding me must be as dull as being locked up.

  “I’m to have dinner with my cousins. Do you know if it’s here or…?” I didn’t know where my cousins were being kept, but I was worried the little one would think she was being punished.

  “I’ll take you to their quarters,” the guard replied.

  It was a winding trip meant to confuse me so I couldn’t sneak back on my own. Of course, then I’d have to slip by the guards. What would that gain me? What didn’t I know?

  Finally, we stopped, and the guard punched in a code on the door. He stepped aside slowly. “You have two hours. A guard will take you back,” he said.

  “Thank you.” I walked inside and was tackled at the waist by Ember, the nine-year-old cherub.

  She held tight. “Kimess!”

  “She missed you,” Julianne said.

  I hugged my cousin as I tried to keep my balance. Sometimes having a child around the house had been annoying, but now, I wanted nothing more than her wide-eyed distractions.

  “Let her go, Ember. Give her a proper hug,” Julianne coached.

  Ember released, me and I knelt down for a real hug.

  “I’m sorry,” Ember said.

  “Thank you. Are you both okay?” I asked.

  Ember buried herself in her mother’s skirt. “It’s scary.”

  I ran my hands down my dress to make sure I wasn’t wrinkled. The Grecian style gowns had been in fashion many times in history, and I loved the simple and comfortable cut. Julianne was also in blue but a more modest cut with sleeves.

  “We’re fine. We haven’t been harmed. It’s just a shock. I tried to talk to you in my mind, but I guess the stress was too much. That’s not my strongest gift. Who would want to harm your mother?” Julianne asked.

  I paced the large room with two canopied beds. They had more space and toys for the child. At least the queen had a heart.

  “I wish I knew. They’re tracking down Father. Interviewing a lot of people. I hope they determine it was just an accident of some kind.” Then, maybe I’d be safe, and no one had murdered her.

  Julianne set Ember down with her toys and crossed to me. “That is not what people are saying. They think she lost her mind,” Julianne whispered.

  “That isn’t true. We both know it isn’t. We have to convince them she wasn’t a danger to herself. She was sound.” I dug my nails into my hand to keep my voice soft.

  Julianne pulled my hands apart. “You need to eat and rest.”

  “Why is that everyone’s answer? My mother is dead. Maybe murder and maybe not. I’m a prisoner. Food and a nap won’t fix anything.” I slapped the hard stone wall.

  “Calm down. You’re safer here. You can prove to them you’re fine.” Julianne led me to the table as Ember stared at me warily.

  I sat with an unladylike plop. “I’m fine, Julianne. I just don’t like being locked up.”

  “I don’t like it, either, but we have to be on our best behavior around the queen. In the castle.” Julianne shrugged as Ember sat at the table with a doll in her lap.

  “You’re right.” We ate and talked about Ember’s school and other plans.

  Once we were done, Julianne tucked the girl into bed and drew the curtains. Now, we could have a serious talk without alarming her. Julianne poured the coffee. She could make a home in a tent with nothing. She’d survived her husband’s death and went on for her daughter.

  “What do I do?” I asked. “I scrambled any recordings they might be making. We can talk.”

  Julianne sat next to me. “Stay alive. Do whatever the queen tells you. Show her you can handle it. Prove your loyalty. You’re fine. Sad, grieving, and concerned about what happened to your mother—but you’re still up to taking over the family.”

  “I’m not. Mother wasn’t letting me shadow her yet. Not until I was done with formal school. And I’m not even eighteen. No one will obey me.” Rulers earned respect and learned from their predecessor. Early deaths were rare in royal circles.

  She smiled. “They will. You will do fine. You’re stronger and more powerful than your mother ever was. You’ll help the queen. You’re not cursed. You’ll inherit everything, and the family will have to obey you and respect you. In time, you’ll be a great ruler.”

  “If the queen lets me. What did they ask you? What are they looking for?” I asked.

  Julianne sighed. “Anyone who had a reason to want your mother dead. I know it’s frustrating but you just have to be strong. Things will be more interesting once the Bachal arrive. You’ll be busy, I’m guessing. That distraction will help you.”

  “Of course I’ll be busy. Are you staying? I don’t want Ember around all of this,” I said.

  “We don’t have a choice. I can keep Ember away from the events, but I don’t expect I’ll be sent home until they make a decision or conclusion.”

  “Who would want to hurt my mother? I don’t know why they’d think anyone would.” I shook my head.

  Julianne frowned. “She protected you from those who didn’t like her. The ruler of any family is a target. There are only five ruling families. Your mother sat on the Queen’s Counsel. People always wanted favors or to put forth their ideas. Their own agendas.”

  “But we’ve been a peaceful country for nearly two centuries. Do you really think someone would have a motive to murder her?” I felt the blanket of grief lift and reality take over. I’d been in a fog, but I had to deal with this head-on.

  “There are people who want to do away with the monarchy and inheritance. They want to elect rulers. Non-magicals want a chance to rule and magical men, as well.”

  “Charismatic power grabbers. All the dictators in history are proof that’s a mistake.” I didn’t want the pressure and the power, but I couldn’t refuse it.

  “There were many monarchs not up to the job,” Julianne reminded me.

  “But the queen isn’t like that. Even being a prisoner, I don’t think she’ll judge me wrong. Not deep down.” Maybe I wanted to believe it. I hoped it was true. I had no reason to believe the queen was out to kill me for no reason.

  “We’ve always been a very loyal family. Even as the lowest-ranking family, the Royal Seer is so close to the crown. All I can think of is someone might be trying to eliminate the counsel. Bring in untrained and very young people to take the seats. Hamper the negotiations.” Julianne shrugged. “It’s only a theory.”

  “The queen thinks someone might be after her, as well? Minette doesn’t like me.” I shivered as a chill ran through me.

  “She’s not your biggest fan. But I think the danger is outside.”

  “The Bachal,” I said. “They would benefit from chaos in our court.”

  “That’s one clear possibility. But it could be someone internal, as well. There are always people jostling for power at court.”

  “Working for the Bachal?” I asked.

  Julianne took a deep breath. “Or working for themselves. Wanting to change to elected officials for their own benefit. Overturn the royal families and take all of the estates. I hear things working in a regular school.”

  “Our families magically p
rotected this land. We paid for the founding of the country. We bought our own estates. Built the hospitals and schools. The industry and security were all created by the families.” We served our people and helped humans escape slavery in other lands. Only fairyland was safer and more idyllic than Lazrel. If they found Mother insane and tried to kill me, maybe I’d break free and make my way to fairyland. Only those who needed it could find it.

  “That’s history. We have powers. Some of the regular people have powers. We have higher status. The trouble is some of our people are looking at the Bachal as though they are lucky.” Julianne sipped her coffee.

  “Lucky? They have a king who can’t feed his people but overpopulates and builds more armies than farms. Sure, most of their people are shifters, but they’d welcome humans or other magical beings if they could be used to overthrow other countries. Why would Lazrel’s people want that? We didn’t exclude people from our safe society because they lacked magical powers. They took all the shifters, and we had the families of magic. We protected average people. Now, they want to throw us out? Kill us?” I couldn’t believe it.

  “They may have a slightly different version. You’d find out, eventually. Some humans think they should’ve made their own country without the magical overlords.” Julianne frowned.

  My head pounded. “Overlords?”

  “When people feel safe, they often see others with more and feel cheated. They aspire to more without doing work. I don’t know of any specific threats targeted at your mother. The queen always seemed more of a target. Minnette is young and has a chip on her shoulder. She would unsettle people if she became queen too soon.” Julianne looked around.

  “I don’t think we’re being watched. I wrote up some notes for myself, and no one has tampered with where I’ve hidden them.” I sat back and rubbed my temples. “The castle has a lot of protection. Mother never put a lot of restrictions on who could come into the manor house. She wanted all the family to feel welcome.

  “So, she was the most vulnerable. No husband or sons. No guards, only droids. Not a lot of family around. And she shut herself away. Someone could’ve tampered with her herbs. Added something or adjusted the mixture. It is possible she took the right dose, and it just looks like she overdosed.

  “That would take some knowledge. But the Bachal wouldn’t have that access. Two days ago, my life made sense. It was even dull. My biggest problem was being teased for my parents’ divorce. Now, I have no idea who to trust or where the enemies are.” I checked the clock on the wall. She got a clock. No doubt Ember was being schooled, as well.

  “Don’t act paranoid. Trust me. I’m doing everything I can. It’s not much. I’m not allowed to work, but I’m still getting my wages. For now, I’m homeschooling Ember here. She misses her friends.”

  “For safety or out of suspicion?” I wondered aloud.

  “For now, I feel that it is both. Too many enemies and opposition. The queen needs you. Your powers are stronger than your mother’s. You have no history with these people and can get a fresh read. Be useful. For all of our sakes.” Julianne smiled weakly.

  I put my hand on hers. “They’d never hurt you or Ember. You’re not a descendent of my mother. There is no historical precedent for that. If anything happens to me, you’ll manage the house. I know it. You’re the closest relations, so you’d take over.”

  “Ember would be next in line. And we were staying at the house. I don’t think Ember and I are in any danger. It’s you I worry about. Ember is so attached to you.”

  “We can’t see our own futures. Seer’s block—we can’t know everything. I think I’m safe, for now. Mother wasn’t crazy. She wasn’t unstable,” I said firmly.

  Julianne held my hand. “No, we know that. Trust it.”

  I sensed something in her. She thought the queen would declare it was suicide. My mother’s mental state became unbalanced, and she ended her life. I pulled my hand away. “My time is almost up. I’ll try to get the queen to give me more next time.”

  “I’ll see you at the welcome reception. We’ve been invited.” Julianne walked me to the door.

  “We? Ember? No, that’s no place for Ember. The tension in the throne room today was upsetting. I don’t want her scared.” I knocked on the door.

  Julianne smiled and nodded. “Yes, ruler.”

  “Don’t. Don’t make it sound like I’m giving orders.” I wanted to crawl under the bed. Julianne was someone I’d always admired, and now, I was technically her ruler.

  “It’s the way of the world. You’re coming into your responsibilities. If you feel it’s too tense, I’ll leave her here with a droid sitter,” she replied.

  “Unless you feel that’s more dangerous. If you feel like we need to watch over her, bring her. If she’s seen as next in line after me, we must protect her, too. I’m not up to speed, yet. A mother’s instincts trump a ruler’s.” I hugged her.

  “That was a smart qualifier. You’ll be great.” Julianne nodded to the guard.

  I didn’t believe it. So many angles and enemies darted through my head. I hoped she’d trust herself instead of listening to me. All I wanted was to do the right thing, but the world at court was complicated enough. Add in the visitors and an unsettled populace, and I was way out of my league.

  As I entered my room, I saw another hot cup of tea. Someone was mocking me or my mother. The sleeping herb tea would sit there until someone removed it. Whatever the truth was, I had to stay alive. Julianne wasn’t trained for this. Her powers weren’t as strong. Ember was a child. I had to take on this job as long as I could. Walking over to the cup, I touched the handle to see if I sense who left me the gift.

  Just a guard. Someone had put him up to it, no doubt, but I’d need to know the exact guard and read his mind. After slipping out of my dress and shoes, I flopped into bed. Sorting out all the enemies and players would take all night.

  “Get some sleep,” Julianne said into my mind.

  The gifts of the fifth family would help out a lot while being a prisoner. I could still talk to Julianne if I really needed to. Telepathy wasn’t as easy for her, but we were just close enough if I needed to send her a message. At least I had some kind of lifeline.

  Chapter 6

  Scribbling a list of people who might have reasons to hate or hurt me or my mother, I mentally checked in with Julianne. She was teaching Ember, and things seemed quiet. Unfortunately, I wasn’t getting the same sensation. Anticipation tingled through me, and I stashed my notes in the desk, since no one seemed to be searching my room, and flopped on the bed with the tablet. The Bachal were a safe topic of study no matter who was coming.

  The feet of guards slamming in unison grew louder as they approached. Not the usual one coming to relieve the man outside my door. This was a team. The steps stopped outside of my room. There was no knocking.

  The door swung open, and two guards swooped in and inspected the room.

  “On your feet, for the queen!” a guard shouted from the door.

  I scrambled to stand and smooth my dress. Here? She’d come here?

  I curtsied as she entered, and the guards left in a flurry, closing the door hard behind them.

  The queen took the desk chair. “Sit down, girl.”

  I perched myself on the bed and looked at the tablet to keep from staring at the desk drawer I didn’t want her to open. “Thank you, Your Highness. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “Pleasure. I’m sure you’re going stir crazy being locked up and grieving.” She studied me.

  “Actually, I’m using the time to remember my mother and all she taught me. Plus, I’m studying the Bachal.” I tapped the tablet off and set it beside me.

  She nodded regally. Was that elegance born with her? Minnette had an air about her, as well. They had power, but I sensed the pressure they were under.

  “I’m sorry you can’t have peace, but the Bachal aren’t making this negotiation easy. Normally, we have the
basics worked out before they even arrive. Certainly, before we meet in public.” She looked into my eyes.

  “I’m sure you’ll find a middle ground. And I’ll do everything I can to assist you. Let me know how to do that best. I don’t know what I can do from here. Or how you want me to proceed.” I twisted dress material in my fingers.

  “Relax. You won’t be followed by a guard at the reception. That would look ridiculous. Once the Bachal are here, you’ll have more freedom. You need to be seen as someone in the right circles but not too high ranking. The future seer and a friend of LeFawn’s,” she said.

  “That’s true enough.” I smiled. “Your Highness, this might be out of line, but my mother never appeared unstable. She never hurt anyone or showed signs of losing touch with reality. She wasn’t cursed, and I’m not either. Please find who did this to her.”

  The queen sighed. “I appreciate your situation. We must investigate everything. Escape or rebellion will only harm your case.”

  My case? I held my tongue.

  “I know you are friends with LeFawn and Remmy. That won’t make a difference. The truth is what is, and when it’s revealed, that is what will be used to determine the outcome. I’d steer clear of Remmy, if I were you.” She looked down her nose at me.

  It wasn’t a queenly insult but a mother’s look. She didn’t think I was good enough for him. She didn’t know…

  “I assure you, Remmy is only a friend. He’s very talented with negotiations and discussion. If I seek his help with the Bachal, it’s not a personal move. I have no aspirations for marriage at this time,” I said bluntly.

  “You just want to go home and rule your family. Fine. Your mother’s death is a shock. I will review the situation thoroughly, but I can’t let you leave.”

  “Julianne could be my guardian until I’m eighteen. She can oversee the estate. Thank you for letting me have dinner last night with my cousins. It was wonderful to talk about my mother and not be alone.” I should’ve opened with the thank you. Damn!