The City of Veils

by S. Usher Evans

  "I know you don't trust me, and I understand why. But I have lived in this castle since I was eighteen years old. Betrothed to your brother before I was even born. My safety was predicated on our marriage contract. And now…" She swallowed. "Now he's gone, and I don't quite know my place. So forgive me for trying my best to make myself useful to my new queen. That, Brynna, is my ulterior motive."

  She gathered her skirts and stormed away.

  Felix worked his jaw, watching for a moment before turning to me.

  "Let's take a walk," he said, offering his arm. "You look like you could use some fresh air."

  "Can I change first?" I asked, tugging at the sleeve of the dress.

  "C'mon."

  Felix escorted me down to the bottom floor and out a side door into the lush green gardens on the western side of the castle. I felt better outside, but the dress was still constricting my breath.

  "What happened in the Council meeting?" Felix asked.

  "The usual. The well-off in Forcadel are shafting the rest of us," I said. "And the Council proceeded to make decisions without my approval."

  "Yes, that's what they do," he said with a smile. "Typically, if you want something done, you have to meet with them one-on-one, sway them to your side, and then when they arrive to vote, it's a done deal." He glanced at me. "Which Kat would've explained to you, had you not just accused her of murder."

  "You have to admit, it's a little fishy," I said. "Why were you the one to retrieve me?"

  "Because I was the only one who knew where you were."

  "Well…true," I said. "But if I'm not your puppet, whose am I?"

  "Brynna-Larissa Archer Rhodes Lonsdale, do you honestly believe anyone could make you a puppet?" he said with a quirked brow. "I'm honored you think so highly of my manipulation skills."

  "Then what is your end goal?" I asked. "What do you gain out of all this?"

  "Keeping the city out of civil war," Felix said, as if discussing the weather. "Preventing one faction from destroying the city. Maintaining a neutral party on the throne who's beholden to the city and not herself." He cast me a sly look. "If I had to pick a queen, I'd like someone who's been sacrificing herself for her people. Even if it has been as a masked vigilante."

  My cheeks warmed slightly. Perhaps he was telling the truth, but I still couldn't trust him.

  "What did you think of the Council?" he asked.

  "What do you mean?"

  "You kept gazing at their faces. Trying to read them. Probably trying to figure which one killed your brother. I'm curious what you found."

  "No suspects jumped out at me, probably because they were too surprised to see me," I said, gazing up at the blue sky. "Lord Distrust, maybe."

  "Distrust… Garwood?"

  I shrugged. "The one who kept looking at me like I was a fraud. More than the others."

  "That would be Garwood. He could be an ally, once you get on his good side."

  "Drunkie's familiar. I've seen him around town too much."

  "Octavius Liswith," Felix said with a chuckle. "He is the only direct descendant of the original six families of Forcadel. Besides yours, of course. What else?"

  I stopped to admire a beautiful pink rose. "What does it matter?"

  "It matters because I think you're better at this than you think you are." His brown eyes were sharp. "What else did you notice?"

  "There's a power vacuum, obviously," I said, slowly. "They didn't expect me to show up to fill it. So it stands to reason that whoever killed my brother will also try to kill me. Do we have any leads on who might be committing regicide lately?"

  "Several, all of which I'm currently working through."

  "Then perhaps you should inform your queen about them."

  "You aren't queen yet," he said. "And to be honest, I don't trust you with this information."

  I looked over my shoulder. "And why is that? I get results."

  "Your results are short-term wins, which end up screwing up the long-term, larger goals I've been working toward," Felix said, walking by me with a smile I wanted to wipe off his face. "You aren't going to be able to find the parties responsible for killing your family. Leave that to me."

  I pursed my lips. "Humor me, Felix. If you aren't going to let me be a vigilante, at least let me help you unravel this mystery. Tell me who your prime suspects are."

  "Chatter in the kitchen points to the food staff, but…" He shook his head. "I don't think so. If you're murdering the king, you aren't that sloppy."

  "Obviously, since it's worked twice."

  He turned to me, shock in his eyes, but it disappeared quickly. "It wasn't until August died that we considered the possibility. Your father wasn't the healthiest man. He succumbed to a stomach illness, and then just didn't wake up."

  "What about August?"

  "Katarine found him dead," Felix said, staring out into the lush, green garden. "And speaking of, you should apologize to her."

  "She could be a suspect. As could Beata."

  Felix barked laughter. "If you knew Kat, you'd know that's absolutely ridiculous."

  "Why? Was she so in love with my brother? I don't buy it—"

  "Whether she was or wasn't in love with him isn't the question," Felix said. "She has no motive to kill him. They were trying for a child to seal the treaty, and now, barring some miracle, that treaty won't be ratified. She would've had more power had August lived." He glanced at me. "Now, she's at your mercy."

  "So I wasn't too far off that she was trying to use me," I said with a smirk.

  "She's also your sister-in-law," he added, quietly. "Perhaps the only family you have left. And, I might add, a very good woman."

  I didn't miss the tone of his voice. "It's plausible that you and Katarine conspired to kill them both."

  His brows knitted together. "To what end?"

  "I don't know, so you two could run off together?"

  He burst out laughing, catching me by surprise. "Oh, Brynn. You are so very far off there. And if you think I would jeopardize the stability of this kingdom, potentially causing civil war, death, and destruction simply because I was in love with Katarine…" He wiped a tear from his eye. "You aren't as smart as I thought you were."

  "Fine," I said, flushing. "You aren't madly in love. But there's still something going on between you two."

  "It is entirely possible for a man and a woman to be dear friends," Felix said. "And for those two dear friends to help their best friend's little sister gain her footing in a kingdom. Is that so hard to believe?"

  It was the simplest solution, but there was something more afoot. But for the sake of keeping Felix satisfied, I shrugged. "I suppose not."

  "I know you're angry that I've taken you from the life you knew," he said. "But I honestly believe it's the best place for you. I meant what I said—if I had my choice of queens, I'd pick the one who's been protecting the city from behind a mask any day."

  I looked down at my hands, filled with callouses from swordfighting. "And you won't let me—"

  "No, Brynna," Felix said. "Your home is here now. You need to focus on how you'll be saving the city from your throne, not by the point of your sword."

  I was escorted back to my room by just two of Felix's guards this time—the same two women as before. One was at least a head taller than me, and the other, while more my height, was stocky and muscular. They kept their distance from me, perhaps believing me to be too tired from the emotional toll of the day to try anything.

  "What are your names?" I asked, raising my voice so it echoed in the stone hallway.

  "My princess?" asked the taller one.

  "I asked for your names," I replied. "I like to know who I'm dealing with."

  "Joella," she said, with a bow. "And this is Riya."

  "How long have you been with the King's Guard?" I asked, continuing to walk.

  "The guard recruits at six," Joella said. "I've just passed twenty-four."

  "And I'm twenty-nine," Riya replied.
/>   "Do you like it?"

  From their silence, I could tell they were trying to figure out my game. Perhaps Felix had told them I wasn't to be trusted. Or maybe they just weren't used to being asked questions by those they were guarding.

  "I…suppose," Joella said. "Captain Felix is fair and an excellent leader and we're very fortunate to have him with us."

  "He came the same year I did," Riya replied. "I'm not surprised he became the captain so young. He's quite brilliant."

  With their backs turned, I let my eyes roll. "And I'm sure that being best friends with the crown prince didn't help his cause."

  "Oh no," Riya said, throwing me a look over her shoulder. "He earned it fair and square. He was unanimously recommended by the guard to be second-in-command."

  I chewed my tongue, wanting to pry more into why they seemed to love him so much, but not wanting to rouse their suspicions. "Then you must be thrilled that he took over for Mark."

  "Mark was…" Joella began then decided against it. "We're just honored Felix has kept us in his inner circle. Not everyone in the guard has been entrusted with protecting you. Or knowing your secret."

  "Ah, well," I said. "So you were part of the contingent who came to get me, then?"

  "The captain was concerned you'd be unwilling to come."

  "The captain was correct."

  "But…" She glanced over her shoulder. "You are…the princess, aren't you?"

  "Joella," Riya scolded. "Of course she is. Look at her."

  "F-forgive me," Joella said. "I never met the princess before she left."

  "You mean before I was bartered off like livestock?" I drawled. "Yes, it's me. If Felix was going to find a fake, I would assume he would find a more willing individual."

  "I suppose that's true," Joella said. "There are just whispers. You should be aware of them, Princess."

  "I got a council full of them, thank you." I chewed my lip. "Who do you think killed my brother and father?"

  "Uh…" Joella looked at Riya, who shook her head. "We aren't at liberty to say. Much like your secret, Captain Llobrega has kept this investigation close to the vest."

  Interesting. Felix had concerns about his own guards, which certainly seemed odd considering what I'd just learned about how tight-knit they were. But every person has their price.

  We arrived at my tower and Joella unlocked the door with a ring of keys. "Sleep well, Your Highness. We'll be outside."

  I closed the door and leaned against it. Perhaps Felix thought a vigilante would make a good queen. But wanting to do good for the kingdom and having the freedom to do good for the kingdom were two different things. Between a council who didn't trust me and a potential poisoner out to get me, I didn't think the best place for me was at the castle.

  It was time to make my escape.

  Chapter 6

  I shimmied out of my dress and searched my room for something I could actually work in. Felix had left me with a tunic for tomorrow—a bright blue velvet number that would be visible from anywhere, but that would have to do. It was only temporary, anyway.

  A plan had been forming in my mind since the Council meeting. I would leave Forcadel for a few months, until another monarch was put in place. Then, when everyone had forgotten my name, I would return and don The Veil once more, cleaning out my city in peace.

  I went to the window and opened the glass, letting the cool night air brush against my face. I didn't like the idea of being gone for so long. How much more damage would Beswick cause? What might happen if the Council picked someone who didn't have the city's best interests at heart?

  But what alternative did I have? It was lunacy to even consider becoming queen. I'd been taught to be a wife then a thief, a swordsman, a vigilante. But I'd never been taught how to lead. Especially a country that most assuredly did not want me as its leader.

  My mind made up, I slid my hands along the smooth edge of the tower. It was designed to keep assassins out, presumably not to keep princesses in. Some fifty feet below, the roof was slanted, so if I jumped, I might slide off if I hit it wrong.

  I turned back to my room, looking for anything I could use to rappel with. There were curtains, bedsheets, that damned dress. With little ceremony, I pulled them off, placing them in long strands around the room. I laced the curtains together then added the bedsheets. I threw the sheets out the window and surveyed the distance. It was still a far jump, but not as far. I could manage it.

  Pulling the sheets back into the room, I searched for something to tie them to, as the window wasn't going to work. The four-poster bed was an attractive option, but getting it over to the window might be loud. There was a chair next to the fireplace; that could work.

  As quietly as I could, I pulled it toward the window, stopping every few minutes to listen for the lock on the door turning over. When nothing happened, I tied the end of the bedsheets to the bottom of the chair and tested my weight. The chair moved, so I pushed it right up against the window, hoping it would be strong enough.

  I climbed over the chair and tested the weight just out the window on the ledge. Then, with a quick exhale, I stepped out of the window, leaning back. The chair rocked but didn't tip. So I climbed out further, the slippers on my feet poor for this effort with their lack of grip. But I carefully slid against the stone, moving surely and slowly.

  Finally, I came to the edge of my rope—there were perhaps ten feet separating me from the roof, so I let go, landing with a bit of a slide on the steep slope. I remained still until I found my balance and listened for guards or anyone else who might've heard me.

  Confident I was still unheard, I moved slowly. It was difficult, but with every step, I found more of myself. I was no longer Princess Brynna-Larissa. Once more, I was a creature of the night. The only thing missing was my sword, and while I was very upset to be leaving her behind, I would procure another. Perhaps sometime in the future, I'd ask Felix for it back. When someone new was on the throne.

  Now, the important part was to disappear.

  My tower was located in an interior square, the roof of which I was scurrying along. It connected to nothing else, so in order to escape, I'd have to find a window to climb down into. I stopped at the corner between two walls, climbing to the edge and hanging down by my fingertips. There were windows every few feet, most of which were locked. I didn't have the strength to break into any of them.

  And yet…did my eyes detect an open window halfway down the roof?

  I pulled myself up and counted the steps to the center then hung down again. The window was wide open. Perhaps a maid had left it when she'd been cleaning.

  Dangling, I swung my legs back and forth to get momentum then released just as I had the distance. My feet landed on the carpet, and the rest of me landed in a heap.

  Success.

  I crept to the door and opened it, peering out into the hall. Empty to the left, empty to the right. Slipping out, I hoped my face wasn't so well-known that I couldn't blend in as the help until I escaped. After all, nothing about my clothes screamed queen-to-be, even if they were bright.

  I found the spiral staircase at the corner, and took the steps two-by-two, expecting a guard or a barrage of arrows at every turn. But I arrived at the bottom floor without meeting either. There were more servants walking through down here, but none of them gave me a second glance.

  After some starts and dead ends, I finally made it to the kitchen, which led me out onto the dark green between the main castle and the external walls. From there, I kept to the wall, running my hand along the brick and praying I could make it to the front gates before—

  I saw it before I felt it, the flash in the torchlight then the sharpness against my throat. I stood still, knowing who had thwarted my escape.

  "Back to your room, Princess," Felix breathed softly.

  I stepped away from his sword, and my back hit the wall. "Felix, this is madness. Why can't you find someone else?"

  "Do you know who succeeds you? Your great uncle,
who is near to death himself and who lives two days' ride away," Felix snapped, his face shrouded in shadow but his eyes wild with anger. "His son is a drunken fool who would sooner fill his own glass than make sure his people have food."

  I frowned. "Who's after him?"

  "Do you think he'll step aside when offered the crown?" he asked, taking a step closer to me.

  "I think I'll force him to," I replied, running my fingers along the brick at my back and avoiding his gaze. "Does he have any children who would make suitable kings?"

  "After him is your father's other brother's son, who is a monk near the sea," Felix said, closing the space between us even more. "Are you going to force him to take the crown?"

  "If I must."

  He growled and pressed his hand against the wall next to my head. "As an option, Princess, perhaps you might consider just taking the crown yourself, especially if you are so concerned for its owner."

  I glanced at the dark sky above, allowing my shoulders to sag. "I just…" Seeing he had dropped his guard, I slipped under his arm and ran as fast as my feet could carry me. I didn't care to look back nor did I worry whether he was in pursuit. I had one chance to run and this was it—

  His weight crashed on top of me. We wrestled on the ground as he turned me to face him, even as I wriggled and thrashed against him. He took my wrists in his hands and slammed them into the ground above my head. Try as I might, I couldn't shake him off—as if he predicted every movement.

  "Let me go!" I screamed.

  "I will when you agree to return to the castle." His calmness was infuriating. "You have a duty—"

  "I don't want it," I said, laying my head on the ground and closing my eyes in shame. Let him think me weak, maybe he'd see just how stupid this idea was.

  "Brynna," he said, releasing my hands and sitting up. "It's not like you to run away."

  I remained on the ground, defeated. "What do you know about me, Felix?"

  He was silent for a few moments, and I cracked open an eye to look at him. He was staring at the stars, resting on his heels.