Prisoner of the Crown

by Cheryl Oblon

  “I didn’t choose him. He insisted on going when I asked him to help Marel cover for me. So, you should be happy Marel is with a man like that.” I started walking again.

  “They’re together? You need to tell me these things,” Nemal said.

  I smiled up at him. “Minnette won’t like it, but hopefully, she’s matured a bit.”

  “Let them work it out. You don’t have to have the answers and fixes for everyone.” He put his hand on the small of my back.

  “That feels like it really is the job of the Royal Seer. Diplomacy is frustrating and dull, but helping people—I could enjoy that life.” It was my job; I’d find a way to make it work.

  He shook his head. “You always had an independent streak in you. This vision seems to suit you. You’ve been bossier ever since you’ve been back. You took on Minn earlier, and all that confidence showed. You played her well, without crossing a line. I’m impressed.”

  “Practice. She and I will be stuck with each other one day.” I kept walking down the rows of hedges where we’d have some privacy.

  He gave me an odd look. “She said you came up with that crazy trade agreement.”

  “They don’t have anything else to offer. We can’t have a peace agreement, even if it’s just temporary or enough to get them to go back to their country, for now, without getting something for all the food and supplies we’re sending them.” I grinned. “If you have a better idea, please tell your mother. She went with mine, but I’m sure there is still time.”

  “Diplomacy is Remmy’s area. I just want my country safe. Strong enough to protect its people. You need to be safe, or I might go mad.” He leaned in.

  I wanted to give in. If there was anyone I could share a moment with, it was him. But I needed to ask him about last night. “Does anyone know about what I did last night?”

  “The dungeon? No, I saw you headed there and wiped any video. You scrambled the surveillance well. I have been making sure he has enough food and water. He tends to piss off the guards. He won’t give up the information they want.” Nemal shrugged. “They’re watching him closely, but you didn’t give him anything or get anything out of him. Did you?”

  My stomach churned. It wasn’t Nemal’s fault, but I didn’t want him to be reprimanded. “I hope I didn’t get you in trouble looking out for him.”

  “I can take care of myself. I think you’re past the point of having every move criticized. I chose to give you peace of mind. That tiara helps more than you realize.” He smiled and looked at my forehead.

  “You have a princely crown somewhere. You just never wear it,” I teased.

  He pulled me closer. “You need to be careful, because judgment day is coming. There is a lot of leeway for your position, but get through the stuff with your parents first. Make it through your mother’s funeral.”

  I wasn’t that worried, but I couldn’t let people know about the vision from my secretly alive great aunt. The queen might not kill me, but she could hold me hostage in the castle or enforce some other crazy consequences to keep me in line. There were rumors, still. The precedent began somewhere. Generations ago, there may have been another mentally unstable member of the family who wasn’t dangerous, so they simply sedated her and locked her up. Fear made people do radical things.

  “I know you’re right. I just felt guilty. He’s my father. No matter what he’s done, I don’t like seeing him like that. Divorce is bad enough, but I don’t know what to do about him. I don’t believe he had anything to do with killing my mother, but I’m sure he’s not innocent of spying. He could’ve used me and my mother to learn things about the castle, the defenses, and more when he lived with us. Maybe he left because he knew something was coming.” With Nemal, I let my walls down.

  He stopped walking and hugged me to him. “I know. You’re fighting it. Are you the Royal Seer or a daughter? It’s not fair to have to choose, now. Your dad is an adult. He has to deal with his choices on his own. They aren’t your fault. It’s not your job to protect him.”

  I nodded. “I just wish this was all over with so I could move on. He didn’t want to be in my life for the last six months, I doubt he’ll start wanting to now.”

  “Then, you’ll be rid of him soon. We’ll be done with these shifters, too. Except for the soldiers we take in and feed.” He pressed his forehead to mine.

  “And train and convert to our side because we have peace and plenty. If things are as bad as I think for them at home, they won’t be hard to persuade. You can do it.” I smiled.

  He kissed me, and for the first time, I didn’t want it to end. Soon, the drama would be behind me, and I’d have a normal life.

  As I wrapped my arms around his neck to lose myself in the garden and the man, a shriek startled me. Nemal took off, and I followed, running to get a glimpse of whatever had made the noise. We turned the corner, and a big red dragon breathed fire. Luckily, it was breathing in the other direction. We, somehow, avoided the whipping tail. Shifted Bachal. Dragons, unicorns, and griffins were real. They weren’t mythological; they were forms certain shifters could take if they were born with that gift. I’d been told that shifters normally stayed in human form when they visited the Lazrel.

  “I see legs. He’s got someone cornered,” Nemal said.

  “There’s no danger,” I said. The sound of a man laughing confirmed it. I knew the man, even though the big dragon blocked him. “It’s Remmy. Oh, no. Nemal, come on; let’s go.”

  He had his laser pistol out and pointed at the dragon. “Why?”

  “Don’t shoot. That’s Faldar,” I shouted over the dragon’s roar.

  I mentally tugged on the dragon’s tail. It turned and quickly shifted back to human.

  Naked Faldar was more than I’d seen of Nemal. He turned away, but in human form, he didn’t block Remmy, who was also naked. My cheeks burned red, but I had nothing to be ashamed of.

  Nemal turned around. “Really, guys. Doors. Privacy. It’s like you want to get caught.”

  I looked down. Finally, Nemal stood in front of me to block my view. I knew what nude men looked like, but this was awkward. Remmy was like a brother.

  “You want to see them?” he asked me.

  I loved that he was a bit jealous of my looking. “I just saw my first dragon. The rest was a real shock.”

  “You need to talk to them,” Nemal said.

  “Why me? You need to talk to them. I don’t care if they have sex in public. Faldar can stay here.” I shrugged.

  Remmy jogged up, with his pants on. “Sorry. We got carried away.”

  Nemal nudged me.

  “Shifted sex is not safe,” I said to Remmy.

  “That’s what you say?” Nemal asked.

  “What do you want me to say? With a dragon that size, it’s not even possible. I can make a joke. If Faldar wants to get caught, he will be. If they can’t control themselves, they’ll be found out. We got to see a real dragon. Hopefully, the negotiations will be finalized tomorrow, so that the tension is gone.” I hugged Remmy. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

  “Tomorrow? So soon?” Remmy asked.

  “You two are in the meetings,” I said.

  “Flirting and staring at each other. I’m going to lose him. I can’t think about anything else.” Remmy sighed.

  I nodded. “Then, go enjoy. The dragon is a bit of a giveaway to where you are. You might want to go somewhere private with locks on the doors. Have fun.”

  “Have fun?” Nemal asked.

  I grabbed his arm and tugged him back in the other direction. “Let’s go.”

  “You’re going to let them keep doing that?” Nemal asked.

  “You knew what they were doing. I know you don’t like seeing it. Or maybe you don’t like me seeing other men, fine. I didn’t plan it. Don’t ruin this for Remmy. Don’t be like the Bachal,” I scolded.

  “I’m not. He’s my brother and going for an impossible relationship. I don’t want
him hurt.” Nemal walked faster.

  I rushed to catch up. “Then help him. Don’t tell him to stop or give up. His heart is already in this. They’re intimate.”

  “I saw. I hope the dragon thing was a defense reaction to something and not part of the sex.” Nemal stopped walking and started laughing.

  I couldn’t help it, either. “It wasn’t like that. I felt Remmy was startled by the shift, as well. Faldar probably heard us and got spooked. Your brother won’t be roasted by his boyfriend.”

  “Shhh. Not too loud. They don’t want to deal with it. We’re not going to force them to. It’s their problem.” Nemal steered me back toward the castle.

  “Other people’s problems always seem to become my problems at some point. Remmy is my friend…If I can help, I will. I meant that. I’ll speak to the queen if it helps.” I elbowed him in the ribs.

  “Fine. Fix everyone’s life, and you’ll never have one of your own.” He walked off.

  “Men!” I sighed.

  Zoma walked out from the castle school door. “Men? Where?”

  “Sometimes, I wish I preferred women like my mother.” I shook my head. It didn’t work that way. Men were attractive, women were friends for me, but my mother had frustrated Simma, as well. It probably wouldn’t be any easier.

  “What man is causing you drama? I wish I had that problem,” Zoma said.

  “Forget about it. I have bigger problems. It’s nice to see you,” I said.

  “You, too. Not coming back to class?” she asked.

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure what the plan is yet. My entire life is in the hands of the queen. Thanks again for all your help. Did you get in trouble?” I hadn’t heard of any backlash toward my helpers.

  She smiled. “I’m not in trouble. Everything is fine. I just saw you and thought I’d say hello. When your life is back to normal, we need to spend some time catching up.”

  “Definitely. I owe you a favor. Is there anything I can do to help now?” I asked.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll call in a favor or two when I need them. Right now, get these shifters out of here and our routine days back.”

  “I’m trying. And I might need another favor before it’s all over.” I had an idea, but there would be a lot of groundwork before I brought Zoma in on it. I wanted to prove the two healers who’d approached me about escape were traitors. I needed some proof.

  “You can have anything you need. Just take care of yourself. You’re juggling a lot,” she said.

  “Thanks. I’ll figure it out.” I needed some alone time. I wanted to go through my notes and unravel the quirks. “But I do want you to record all conversations in my room today and tomorrow. Okay?”

  She grinned. “I’ll get right on it. I’ll grab a couple things and meet you in the royal suite.”

  “I’m not that level of royal. Not really.” I was a servant with a lot of privilege.

  Chapter 28

  Late that night, I got a visit from the healer who’d treated my arm. His name finally clicked after all those days of pain. Rouch. He had seemed very concerned but calm. He controlled his emotions and thoughts well. Of either of them, he was the least suspicious.

  “I hear you’re having trouble sleeping?” he asked.

  “I’ll be fine once the negotiations are over. Marel shouldn’t have called you.” I played along with our little plan, so he didn’t think it was my idea.

  He examined my arm, bending it then touching the small scar. “It’s good to be on the lookout for changes after an injury. Stress may be the cause of your poor sleep. It could affect your thinking, and we need our Royal Seer strong for the negotiations.”

  “I think I’ll be okay.” I shrugged it off.

  “Let’s look at your bed chamber. Perhaps Marel get some hot water for tea?” he asked.

  He wanted to talk alone. I led him to my bedroom and let him look around.

  “It’s just stress. I don’t want to medicate,” I said.

  “You are going through a lot being a prisoner here. I can take you closer to safety. Your father is very worried about you. Say the word, and I’ll take care of it.”

  “Take care of him? Free him?” I asked.

  “No, you. Free you from this fate. We can have you over the border by dawn,” he said casually.

  “I can’t do anything like that with the negotiations going on. I’d be missed, and they’d suspect I was kidnapped by the Bachal. It’d be a huge search. It could start a war with the Bachal here. That sort of thing would have to wait until things are normal again. I hope my father’s judgment isn’t death. Until the queen has ruled on my parents and my fate, I’m not doing anything to endanger anyone.” I walked a fine line and hoped it worked.

  “Whenever you are ready, we will be.” He bowed. “Court life is not for everyone, and freedom is worth the risk.”

  “I’m glad you understand. I’m sure I’ll be fine with some sleep. Herbal tea sounds good.” I headed for the door.

  As he left the bedroom, he handed me a pouch. “These herbs will help you sleep. Small pinch in the herbal tea.”

  I took the pouch. “Thank you, Rouch.”

  He bowed again. “Lady Kimess.”

  Once the door closed, I sighed. “That was tense.”

  “Get what you need from him?” Marel asked.

  “I think so. Take the herbs to Zoma, and she can have them analyzed. See if a pinch is safe to take.” I handed her the herbs.

  “You think he gave your mother her herbs?” Marel asked.

  “Who else? He was part of the team that treated me as the Royal Seer. That was my mother’s title when she needed her help. If anyone had access and intention, it’s him. If I’m wrong, we can test it. The queen can have this checked against what was given to my mother. They must’ve kept the herbs she had in her bedroom.” I had my hopes up. Something had to come through.

  “Is it a small pinch per cup of tea or per a pot of tea?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I’d guess a pinch per cup, but he didn’t say. Ask her to run the information at both concentrations.” I shrugged.

  “I will. I’ll stop by to see Ballan, so it doesn’t look obvious,” Marel said.

  “Good idea.” I smiled. She was so happy, I was almost jealous. My life could be so much simpler, but then, I wouldn’t be me. Some days it was awful, but I kept fighting to be heard. The only way to make this was work was to ignore what everyone else wanted me to be and follow my instincts.

  It took two more days for the troops to arrive. Faster than I’d expected, but the debate had raged on during the wait. Some insisted that if we just fed the Bachal and let their debt to us mount, they couldn’t take over. They had been lulled by centuries of peace. So many fools ran around this castle thinking they knew how the world worked. Debt couldn’t be collected if they had nothing. Those sorts of debts had to be enforced militarily.

  As the queen and her top commanders inspected the troops, Remmy kept me back at the safety of the viewing tower. In the far corner, Minnette had the attention of plenty of high-ranking young men. In the opposite corner, I sat with Remmy. He wanted to talk, but I wasn’t going to pull the words from him.

  “I wish we could just be nice and feed the Bachal,” Remmy said.

  “We could, but they’d still try to take our lands. They’re conquering other smaller lands. Don’t be a fool,” I said.

  “Faldar says it’s for their own protection,” Remmy replied.

  I shook my head. “He’s lying or telling you what his father told him.” I shrugged. “I’m sorry, Remmy. I don’t like this trade, but accumulating a debt they owe us doesn’t mean anything. If they conquer, then the debt is gone, and we’ve got a king.”

  Faldar walked up. “Not all men are evil, Lady Kimess.”

  I stood and nodded to the prince. “Of course not. Remmy is the best of men. But we do share a history where men waged war over land, over religion, and
over pride. My grandmother made me study history every morning before school until the day she died. If she’d taught me about genocide and biological warfare at night, I’d never have gotten to sleep. Countless deaths because they couldn’t compromise, live and let live, or be content with what they had. Our countries are different, and we’ve never tried to change yours. Women wanted peace, but men wouldn’t give up the victory. Then again, a lot of those men wanted to make women second-class citizens.”

  “But someone always loses. And not all men want war.” He sat next to Remmy.

  I took my seat and nodded. “Not all men, but men who claw their way into power want more power. More money, more land, and more everything. There is a reason both our countries went to a monarchy system. Born to rule means time to train instead of campaign. Raising money, brainwashing crowds with lies and promises, and trading favors for votes. None of that happens. Being royal is a life sentence. You don’t leave office to live in luxury with all the pressure gone. It seems to work for us.”

  “And us.” Faldar smiled. “We just don’t exclude men.”

  “Men can’t give birth to babies. I don’t hear them begging for that job.” I smiled. “Five positions in the entire country a man cannot hold. Your sister could never be queen, could she?”

  Faldar turned red and shook his head. “You don’t think Remmy would make a good king?” he asked.

  “He would make a wonderful king. But not all men are Remmy,” I said.

  “You have me there.” Faldar bowed.

  The more I thought about it, a man on the throne didn’t bother me nearly as much as the rebellion. Zoma’s research discovered my father was part of the same group with those two healers that wanted elections, a total revolt and overthrow of the royal families. Remmy on the throne, or even Nemal, that was one thing. Men buying and intimidating people to gain power and be elected. To corrupt all of our lives that way—I couldn’t agree with that.

  Remmy looked at me with concern.

  “Relax, Remmy. It’s just a good debate with Faldar. He’s a friend. I agree plenty of women out there want power but, generally, not the violence that comes with it.” I shrugged.