Chapter 34

I call Inara the second I reach my room to ask about the videos, but as soon as she answers, I find myself telling her about Edam’s offer instead. It’s stupid. She’s with Judica, and this call might even be tapped, but I can’t help myself. I want to talk to Mom about it, and Inara is as close as I can get.

She doesn’t respond. Not a single word. I wonder whether the line went dead.

“Are you still there?” I finally ask.

“Yes.”

“Care to share your thoughts?”

“I don’t know,” she says. “Choosing a Consort is a big decision. Evians don’t divorce.”

“I could always have him executed,” I joke.

“That would literally be your only option if choosing him is a mistake.”

I was kidding. “Uh.”

“You’re not even eighteen for two more weeks,” Inara says. “Mother would freak out if you told her this plan.”

“I’m in this mess because she isn’t here to freak out about anything anymore.” I clench my hands into fists. “What would you do?”

“I don’t know,” Inara says. “I just don’t know. Do you feel like your combat skills are improving?”

“I think so, but Edam says it’s not nearly enough.”

“It’s your first day.”

“Even so, we don’t have many more.”

“Regardless, you’ve got at least another week before you need to make any major decisions.”

True. “By the way,” I say, “he wants you to send me as many videos of Judica fighting as you can get your hands on, including our fight the day of the you know what.” If anyone is listening, no reason to give them anything specific. “Do you think you can do it?”

“Judica won’t like it,” Inara says. “I’ll need to do it without her knowledge. I wonder what Balthasar will make of all this. He’s devastated about Mother, and he misses Edam. And you, too, of course.”

“Don’t tell him if there’s any way around it.”

“He has all the videos and the log of who accesses them. Security section protocol,” she says.

“Isn’t there a way around that?” I ask.

“I’ll see what I can do. Let me think about the Edam thing.” I hear rustling in the background and then Inara says, “I’ve got to go, but before I do, tell me this. Do you like him? Would you want to spend a thousand years with him by your side?”

“Yes,” I say. “I do like him.”

“Well, I guess that’s better than the alternative. Accept the world as it is,” she whispers.

“Or do something to change it,” I say, but she’s already hung up. I worry about her, hopping off the phone, whispering, unsure what she can do for me. I hope she’s safe there.

She can’t be in too much danger, since she sends me a batch of videos while I’m in the shower. I hunt down Alora before I dive into watching them. I find her in the library. “Sorry we made such a mess in the ballroom.”

“How did the training go?” she asks.

I shrug. I ought to tell her about Edam’s offer too, but I’m pretty sure she’ll freak out and tell me it’s a huge mistake, so I don’t bother. “It could have gone better, but it’s early days.”

She bobs her head. “It is early.”

“I need to talk to you.”

Frederick catches my eye and glances at Arlington, whose chocolate brown eyes are downcast. I’m not buying it. He’s listening to every word.

“Freddy, can you secure and close the door?”

He bows and does it, a half smile on his face. I’m learning, even if I’m slow. Freddy may trust his people, but there’s no reason they need to hear everything I discuss.

“What’s wrong?” Alora asks.

“It’s not that something is wrong per se. Or at least, nothing more than you already know. It’s that Job gave me a message. Mom told him she sent something to you. Something I will need, something important.”

“You’re hoping it’s the ring.”

I nod.

“Why would she do that?”

“No idea, but I can’t think what else she might have sent. Can you?”

Alora’s brow furrows. “No. I’ll conduct a thorough search, and I’ll alert my people to be on the lookout for anything that might turn up. If it’s here or on its way to us, I’ll get it to you.”

A tiny weight lifts from my shoulders. I believe she will. “Thank you.”

“Hungry?” she asks.

“Starving, and I need to replenish some volume too, but can you have food sent to my room? I’ve got some research I need to do on Judica. Inara sent me some files of her fighting.”

Alora smiles. “Wise, very wise.”

“It was Edam’s suggestion,” I say. “Wish I could take credit.”

“You’re too honest to play those kinds of games. That might be more impressive than having the inspiration in the first place.” Alora smiles at me and I duck out.

Her staff is efficient, too. I’ve barely reached my room when a short girl with dark curly hair arrives with an entire platter of sandwiches and two pitchers of lemonade. Frederick and Arlington follow her into the room. She curtsies, and her heart races. She’s human. My eyes widen. “Thanks.”

I take the tray from her and set it on the table. She scurries out so quickly I don’t even have time to ask her name. Maybe next time. I reach for a sandwich, but Freddy clears his throat.

“What?” I ask.

“Your dog is—ahem. You need a taster.”

Cookie’s gone. No more hand licks or fur balls curled up at my feet. But also, I need someone to ensure I’m not poisoned.

“I can call the maid back,” he says.

I shake my head. “Not her. She’s human.”

“Weaker is better,” Arlington says, “because they react faster if there’s a problem.”

“Yes, thank you, I know that.” I think about that poor girl, writhing on the floor, or dead with her mouth foaming. I can’t handle that.

“I’ll do it,” Arlington says. “Frederick’s too important, and no one else is near.”

Before I can stop him, he snatches an egg salad sandwich, the most likely candidate for poison with the saucy filling, and stuffs half of it into his mouth. He swallows and smiles at me. “Tastes good.”

I turn up my lip at the egg salad. I move my turkey sandwich toward my mouth, but Frederick clears his throat again.

“What now?” I ask.

“He only tried one of the sandwich types. And you need to wait at least several minutes,” he says. “To make sure Arlington’s not negatively impacted.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake.” I huff, but I wait and watch while Arlington eats part of each sandwich.

And while I wait, I think about school tomorrow. Lark’s going to enroll too, which means the security staff will see her. And Edam will too. Will she be safe? Will my secret make its way back to Judica and the rest of Alamecha? Should I send her away?

The thought slices through my wounded heart, but that’s not a good reason to risk her life or my tentative control over my family. If I even have tentative control.

“Frederick?” I ask.

“Your Majesty.” He lifts his eyebrows.

“You said you chose guards who were utterly loyal to me.”

He nods.

“How did you ascertain their loyalty?”

Arlington clears his throat.

“Yes, Arlington. Would you like to weigh in?”

“You spared my sister, Your Majesty.”

I frown. He has eleven sisters, by my count. I think about them each in turn. “Fontaine?”

“When Judica advocated for execution, you pushed for exile.”

I close my eyes. My mercy, always my mercy. “And Frederick knew you would appreciate that decision?”

Arlington shrugs. “I love Fontaine, and she’d have died if you hadn’t stood up to Judica. I believe in black and white, Your Majesty, but sometimes the two mix. Your sister doesn’t see gray anywhere. In my experience, if you make no room for gray, the world swims in red.”

I think about the other guards. Bellatrius requested approval to marry into the Shenoah family while we were at war with them, and I supported her. Her petition was declined, but over my objection. Lucas’ mother was exiled five years ago for carrying a half-human child and refusing to give it up. I’ve been vocal in my opposition of that particular law.

“All of my selected guards have sworn an oath to serve you,” Frederick says. “It’s essentially the basics of the Empress’ oath, which usually happens at the investiture, but given the circumstances.” He spreads his arms. “I thought you should have your own guard, even if it’s small. Had you been Heir last week, you’d have one already. Judica does.”

“Then you think I can trust them?”

Arlington bows his head slightly. “I only speak for myself, but you can trust me completely.”

“They’re all willing to follow you into exile, if that’s your choice,” Frederick offers.

“Even you?” I ask him. “You’ve been head of my mother’s guard for three centuries. And you’ll follow me into exile and live among the humans if I choose to abdicate?”

Frederick drops to one knee. “Your mother was the best monarch I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen quite a few in my position.”

I arch one eyebrow. “She’s been Empress the entire time you’ve been alive.”

“But I’ve seen many others from the other five families,” he says. “None of them could touch her, and she chose you as her successor.”

“She chose Judica first,” I say.

“She changed her mind. That’s enough for me.” Frederick grips the hilt of his sword with both hands. “I Frederick ne’Francesca Alamecha swear to serve and obey you, Chancery Alamecha, seventh daughter of Eve, and to place your health and safety over that of my own. I swear never to betray you in act, thought, or deed, and to support and assist my brothers and sisters in honoring their vows.”

Frederick stands.

“I guess that answers my question,” I say.

“Which was?” Frederick asks.

“Whether Lark will be safe out in the open, with my guards around.” I glance at Arlington. “I didn’t execute her like Mom ordered.”

“I gathered that much, Your Majesty.” Arlington’s lip curls up on one side. “I’m glad, for your sake. You were always quite close.”

“It would be a terrible scandal,” I say, “and most citizens of Alamecha wouldn’t understand or support my decision.”

“There’s no reason for them to know,” Arlington says. “But you might be wrong about how many would accept it. You’ve been vocal about your positions, and more people support you than care to admit that publicly.”

I wonder how much truth there is to his words. I want to believe in my people, but I haven’t seen any evidence of his claim. “Lark will attend school with me. I hope I can trust my other guards with the knowledge that she’s still alive.”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Frederick says. “Since we plan to accompany you to school tomorrow.”