The Indentured Queen

by Carol Moncado

  “This is for you.” He handed her a thin box. “Keep the phone with you at all times.”

  “A phone?” She shook the box open. Inside were several electronic devices. A phone, a tablet, what looked to be an ereader, and a very thin laptop. “All of this is for me?”

  “Yes, ma’am. You should have an assistant before long who would help you set all of it up, but since you don’t have one yet, I’ll help you.”

  “Thank you. And thank you for the keyboard. I haven’t had a chance to play it yet, but I appreciate it.”

  “My pleasure, ma’am.” For the next half hour, Thor walked her through how each one worked. Her phone held precious few numbers, though Benjamin’s private line was in there. Her family’s numbers were in there, as were the numbers of several members of Benjamin’s family.

  “Is it really okay for me to have the king’s private number?” she asked.

  “You are his wife.” Thor didn’t look at her and his voice was emotionless, which told her enough about what he thought about their situation. “Just don’t give it out to anyone.”

  “Of course not.”

  “These devices are set up to require both a thumbprint and a code to get in. There are also emergency overrides on them. Only the king and security can override them. You are never to turn off your location services. In fact, you can’t. And it stays with you at all times.”

  “Even at work? I’m not allowed to have a phone in the kitchen.”

  “Then keep it in your pocket and don’t take it out, but it stays with you. Even in your suite.”

  “Okay. But what about the rest of his family? They don’t care that I have their numbers?”

  “You are his wife. Some of them may think it odd they didn’t have your number until now.”

  Right. Because normal would be very different.

  Thor showed her how the laptop worked and the ereader. “My niece listed some books she thought you might like. They’ve been preloaded. There’s some by a Kimberley Woodhouse.” He pointed to a folder, then to two others. “Melanie Dickerson’s novels are Medieval fairy tale retellings. Tamara Leigh’s are about Medieval knights and apparently quite good. My niece gushed on and on about them. Karen Witemeyer and Mary Connealy write about Texas and the American West. Bethany Turner’s is apparently quite funny, as is Mikal Dawn’s.” He glanced up. “There’s a few dozen others on there, and you can purchase any other’s you might like to read. You can also log onto the website on the tablet or laptop and order covers for them that you like.”

  “Thank you, and thank your niece for me.”

  “She’s with the Queen Mother right now, but will be home in a week or so if you’d like to thank her in person.”

  “I would like that.” Maybe she would be a friend. Katrín could use more of those. Laurie was friendly and nice to hang out with, but Katrín wouldn’t really call her a true friend. There was too much Katrín wouldn’t share with her - or anyone.

  She stared at the ereader in her hands. “What should I expect the next couple of days? I have no idea.”

  Thor sighed. She thought he wanted to say more, to commiserate with her, but didn’t dare. “In about an hour you’ll change into your clothes for dinner this evening.” He glanced away from her. “You’ll be in the master suite over there tonight. Both of you.”

  Katrín closed her eyes. It hadn’t even occurred to her that they’d be expected to share a room while away from home.

  “I know about the first time you met,” Thor said softly. “I know what he asked of you, and I know how you responded. I’m proud of you, but I also want you to know that, to my knowledge, he’d never done anything like that before. Just because you’re in the same room tonight doesn’t mean he’ll expect more. And even if he did, and you didn’t, I have no doubt that you’d be able to take care of yourself and the king might be explaining how he ‘tripped’ and got a black eye.”

  The snort of laughter caused Katrín’s shoulders to relax a bit. What she knew of Benjamin in the last few weeks didn’t fit with her first impression of him that night. It was good to know it had been wrong, because she had a feeling this night could be interesting.

  13

  “My wife is an accomplished pianist,” Benjamin told the mayor over dinner. “Though I don’t have the pleasure of listening nearly as often as I’d like.” He smiled at Katrín who suddenly looked petrified. “In fact, the first time we met, she was playing at the palace.”

  Katrín shook her head. “I’m afraid my husband is mistaken, or perhaps besotted. I play well enough, and I love it, but I’m not accomplished.” Her cheeks had turned a new shade of pink, though Benjamin wasn’t sure why. Embarrassment didn’t seem quite right.

  “Would you let us be the judge of that, Your Majesty?” the mayor asked her.

  Katrín glanced at him. She clearly didn’t want to, but didn’t want to disappoint him either.

  “Perhaps another time.” Benjamin nodded towards Katrín. “I do know my wife hasn’t had a chance to sit at a piano in a while, and I put her on the spot a bit. I can tell you her version of King Alfred’s Overture is inspiring.”

  This time the pink creeping up her neck and into her cheeks had to be embarrassment.

  “You’re just saying that because it’s the first time we met.” She took a bite of her meal.

  Benjamin held back a chuckle. “It did take me a little by surprise.”

  The topic shifted to how the mayor and his wife met, but Benjamin had a hard time paying attention. He needed to talk with Katrín. Until Chamberlain mentioned it to him, Benjamin hadn’t realized they were expected to share a room. This was the same suite he’d stayed in many times, but never with a significant other - or even an insignificant other like he’d insinuated to Katrín the first night they met.

  He mentally shook himself to clear his head and paid attention to the conversation. An hour later, they were alone in the elevator. He wasn’t sure how to broach the subject.

  “So I hear we’re sharing a room tonight.” Katrín stared straight ahead as she spoke.

  “Who told you that?”

  “Thor when he showed me all the new tech I get to play with sometimes.”

  “What kind of tech?”

  “Laptop, tablet, ereader, and phone.”

  “You told me you didn’t have a phone before. Did you not have any of the others?”

  “No. There’s a computer lab of sorts for employees to use. I used it sometimes, including to research what I needed to know for when we are together in public and what my role should be when I’m not working, but I haven’t use them much since I moved to the palace.”

  “What kind of books are you going to read?” He found himself curious about her.

  “Thor’s niece gave him a bunch of recommendations. I guess she works for your mother.”

  That made Benjamin frown. “Thor’s niece works for my mother?” he clarified.

  “That’s what he said. Something about social media.”

  It bothered Benjamin that he didn’t know this, though he couldn’t define why. Maybe because the mayor had once worked for Benjamin’s father and had gushed about how wonderful he’d been to work for.

  The doors to the elevator slid open. The staff members were waiting for them. “I have some work to do before retiring, but if you’d like to get comfortable in the other room, you’re welcome to.”

  Katrín didn’t move toward the open door.

  He clarified. “I don’t mean anything by that except to change into something actually comfortable and read a book or watch a movie. Nothing else.”

  “Thank you.”

  This time when he walked forward, she followed. He went to the conference table. Katrín headed for the double doors leading to the master suite. He followed her with his eyes until the door closed behind her.

  Nearly two hours later, he closed his last folder for the night and sent Chamberlain to his own quarters. Maybe Katrín would already be asleep. Instead,
he walked through the door to find the room still lit by a fire, with Katrín curled up in a chair completely engrossed in what appeared to be the ereader.

  “Good book?” he asked.

  She jumped. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  He hid a smile. “What are you reading?”

  “It’s this book by an American. Bethany Turner. It’s called The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck. Not what I was expecting, but hilarious and an interesting look at life in the States.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

  “Immensely.”

  “I’m going to take a shower. Do you need in there before I do?”

  She shook her head. “I’m ready for bed.”

  “Very well.” He started for the bathroom. “Take whichever side you’d like. I generally sprawl all over so it doesn’t really matter.”

  Katrín didn’t reply but went back to her book. Benjamin gave a mental shrug, then went through his own nightly routine, wishing he could get a good HIIT workout in, but it wasn’t really possible here. When he returned to the bedroom, Katrín hadn’t moved.

  “Go ahead,” she told him. “I’ve got about half an hour left in this book, and I don’t want to stop.”

  “Good night.”

  “Night.” Her distracted tone told him what he needed to know. She was in a different world. Two of his sisters were the same way. They’d probably enjoy talking about books. He needed to remember to mention that to Evangeline when they returned.

  What was he thinking? Katrín would still be working. She likely wouldn’t have much time for reading or having long conversations with his sisters. As he settled into the unfamiliar bed, that idea bothered him. He’d seen Katrín once during the middle of her work day. Closing his eyes, he tried to recall what she’d looked like. Hot, sweaty, and tired looking, though not so tired she didn’t give as good as she got.

  Maybe continuing to work in the kitchen wasn’t the best idea. Could he have Chamberlain find something else for her to do that wouldn’t seem quite as odd for the woman everyone believed to be the queen he married for love to do?

  That would take some thinking on.

  Katrín slowly came to wakefulness, covered by a weight and warmth she didn’t recognize. How was that possible?

  She blinked a couple of times to see Benjamin walking out of the bathroom as he slipped his suit coat on.

  “Good morning. You didn’t have to sleep on the couch.”

  Yes, she did. “How did I get over here? I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “I moved you when I woke up and saw you over there. That was about an hour ago. I already ate breakfast and am leaving for the day. I’ll be back in time to dress for dinner. We’re meeting with a charity of some kind. I don’t remember what.”

  Katrín pushed herself into a seated position. “And what can I do?”

  “Whatever you want. But if you leave the suite, make sure Thor is with you. He’ll handle your security.”

  “Wouldn’t do to have the new queen accidentally die too soon?” she asked, too tired to give it her full dose of snark.

  Benjamin stared at her with that look he always seemed to have. “I don’t want you dead.”

  Just pretend dead.

  “I’ll make sure I have Thor with me if I go anywhere. I might just read all day.”

  “Chamberlain will make sure your assistant knows what time you need to be ready for tonight.” He walked to the door and left without a goodbye.

  Katrín stared after him then swung her feet over the edge. It didn’t take long for her to get ready for the day, but after breakfast and reading most of Count Me In by Mikal Dawn - which was also funny - she decided she needed to get out.

  “Thor?” she called walking into the main sitting room.

  “Yes, ma’am?” He stood up from his spot at the conference table.

  “I was told to let you know if I wanted to go anywhere.”

  “Where would you like to go?”

  She shrugged. “A walk? I don’t really know. I just know I don’t want to sit here all day if I don’t have to.”

  “Give me half an hour, and I’ll make it happen.”

  Katrín started to thank him, but he was already on the phone. She scrounged through the clothes Rosalie had packed for her. After managing to find a pair of skinny jeans and blousy top, she found a pair of boots that far exceeded anything she’d ever dreamed of owning. They fit perfectly. A coat, hat, scarf, and gloves were also available for her.

  By the time she emerged into the sitting area, Thor and two other men were waiting for her.

  “There’s a marketplace nearby,” he told her.

  “I don’t plan to buy anything.”

  “You don’t have to, but if you see something you like, we can make a note of it and send someone back.”

  She wouldn’t, but the thought was nice. “What about lunch?”

  Thor glanced at one of the other men. “Since it’s unannounced, we can stop for lunch if you’d like.”

  “You mean no one would know I’m coming so they could poison my food?”

  “Something like that.”

  This was a whole new world, so different from her old one - the one she still kept one foot in.

  Once outside, it surprised her to see a few photographers waiting for her.

  “Ma’am.”

  She looked to see Thor handing her a pair of sunglasses, though they probably weren’t strictly necessary. She took them, but only slipped them on and then up into her hair like a headband. It didn’t make sense, but she was more comfortable without Benjamin to make her nervous.

  “Good afternoon,” she called and waved at them, but stayed right between her security detail as they walked toward the marketplace. The photographers dogged their steps, though she didn’t acknowledge them again.

  Instead, she beelined for what appeared to be a popular restaurant. In line was someone she definitely wanted to talk to.

  “Thor,” she said softly. “I can buy my own lunch, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Can I buy another family’s?”

  “I suppose.”

  “I don’t actually have any money though.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  Fortunately, the people she wanted to talk with were at the end of the line. “Excuse me?” she asked the woman who appeared to be the mother of the bunch.

  She barely glanced at Katrín, her full attention on her children. “Yes?”

  “I’m here all alone today. Would you mind if I joined you for lunch? My treat.”

  The woman’s head snapped around. “What?”

  Katrín repeated her offer.

  “Why would you do that?”

  She couldn’t keep the tears from her eyes. “Because your little man here reminds me of my brother, and I miss him. I really am all alone for lunch. I would appreciate it if you would let me treat you.”

  If this woman was anything like her mother, and Katrín suspected she was, even a stranger buying lunch at a marketplace stand would be a blessing.

  “Um, sure.” The woman glanced behind Katrín. “But you don’t exactly seem alone.”

  “Yeah. I have some security goons with me.” She winked at the mom. “They’re great guys, but not exactly company.”

  “And photographers.” The mother’s tone grew wary. “I don’t know who you are but is this some kind of publicity stunt?”

  Katrín shook her head. “Not at all.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Let me see if I can work this. Believe it or not, I just got my first smart phone. My mom has Facebook and pictures of my brother.” It took a minute, and they were nearly to the front of the line, by the time she managed to find her mother’s profile picture. “I look a lot like my mom, and that’s my little brother.” She held it up for the other woman to see. “It’s been forever since I got to talk with him or have lunch together. Please, let me do this?”

  The mom nodded then swipe
d at the phone. “Wait. What’s your name?”

  She’d hoped to avoid that part. “Katrín.”

  The other woman gasped and pointed. “As in the new queen?”

  Katrín wrinkled her nose. “I was kind of hoping that wouldn’t come up. I just want to have lunch.” The woman started to curtsy, but Katrín stopped her with a shake of her head. “Please? I’m just a young woman who misses her family and wants to buy your lunch.”

  The woman held out her hand. “I’m Alyssa. It’s a pleasure to meet you. This is my son, Liam.”

  Katrín took the offered hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Next!”

  They turned toward the counter. Katrín smiled. “Order whatever you want. It’s on my security detail today.”

  “You should see this, sir.” Chamberlain held out his tablet.

  “What is it?” Benjamin asked, taking it from him.

  “Just watch.”

  On the screen, Benjamin saw Katrín emerge from the hotel and wave at the paparazzi. With that smile on her face, he almost didn’t recognize her. “Where did they go?”

  “Lunch apparently. Watch the next video.”

  Katrín shook hands with a woman a few years older than herself, maybe even closer to mid or late-30s. They ordered food. Thor paid for it. Katrín helped carry the tray of food to a wheelchair accessible table. She moved a chair out of the way.

  A boy, maybe twelve, wheeled himself into the spot where the chair had been. Katrín sat next to him and across from his mother. They were talking and laughing in a way he’d never seen her, except maybe the night she’d shown up in his office in her pajamas.

  “What’s the press saying?” he asked, handing the tablet back.

  “That they understand why you married her, but that the wedding itself didn’t do much for either one of you. They also pointed out that she seems much more comfortable in her own skin when you’re not around, at least based on what they’ve seen the last couple of days. One reminded them that she’s not used to the official business and likely felt overwhelmed in your shadow, but today she was free of official expectations.”