‘Every boy over the age of ten, excluding those born into noble households, is now required to work for the benefit of Gruisea’s future,’ Farrah explained.
‘In Avanid, we call that child labour.’
Farrah laughed. ‘You do not get to claim moral superiority with me. When the Emperor came for Avanid’s resources, your father opened the borders and handed them anything they wanted.’
‘That’s not true?—’
‘Your father is a weak leader,’ Farrah said matter-of-factly. ‘I am sure it hurts your feelings to hear that, but it is the truth.’
Aisha shook her head. ‘Enslaving young boys does not equate to strength.’
Farrah’s nostrils flared, but she didn’t respond.
Aisha watched a nearby boy drag a block of limestone across the wagon floor. ‘Why did you bring me here? Was it to shock me into leaving?’
‘To show you the truth about who we are.’ Farrah’s voice was quieter now. ‘Tariq would not bring you here because he is ashamed. He clings to a version of Gruisea that no longer exists.’ Her gaze drifted back to Aisha’s. ‘If you wish to be the Queen of Gruisea one day, then you must pursue it with your eyes wide open.’ She paused. ‘Marriage is a business transaction. Your kingdom aligning with this kingdom in an attempt to hold on to the things we have left.’ She looked away on an exhale. ‘So look around you. Ask yourself if you can bear to inherit this, to uphold it. If the answer is no, then you must decline Tariq’s offer of marriage and return home.’
An older man shuffled by, his shoulders rounded under a heavy basket. He looked so exhausted. Aisha watched him dump his load before heading back in the direction from which he had come.
She wanted to ask Farrah why they didn’t push back on Slevaborg’s demands for more supply, but she already knew the answer. Holy warriors would be swarming Gruisea within the month. That would turn Gruisea from an overworked kingdom into an unsafe one.
‘I would like to return to Azura Castle now,’ Aisha said.
The queen studied her for a long moment before swinging her horse around. ‘Of course.’
They didn’t speak on the return journey. Aisha saw her surroundings through entirely new eyes. The city now felt like an extension of the mines, the misery spilling over.
As they neared the castle, they passed the army barracks. Aisha noticed this time that the gates hung open. There were no soldiers drilling in the yard, no thud of boots or sound of steel. The place was empty. Not a single soldier in sight. She looked down at the crest on the saddle, with its pick and hammer.
The castle gates opened to receive them, guards bowing as they passed through. When she finally slid from her horse in the courtyard, her legs were like jelly from being in the saddle for so long—and perhaps other reasons.
‘Thank you for your company,’ Farrah said to Aisha as she removed her soft leather riding gloves.
Aisha searched her eyes, then bowed her head. ‘Your Majesty.’
The queen walked away, leaving Aisha trembling in the courtyard.
Aisha rounded the corner of the corridor and slowed when she spotted Tariq waiting at her chamber door. He was leaning against the stone wall, arms folded and expression unreadable. He straightened when he saw her.
For a long, weighted moment, neither of them moved, the dirty truth between them. He knew what she had seen, and she knew he had wanted to keep her from it.
‘How long have you been waiting?’ she asked when she finally resumed walking.
‘Not long. Kaidon informed me you were back.’ He looked her over. ‘We should talk.’
She nodded. ‘Fine, but not here.’
They didn’t say a word until they were out of the main castle and safely among the olive trees. Only then did she turn to face him, her heart beating faster than usual. ‘When were you planning on telling me that your dynasty is built on the backs of children?’
His jaw tightened. ‘I gather from your question that you visited Dareth Mine today.’
She crossed her arms. ‘You should have told me what sort of place you were bringing me to.’
‘I know what you’re thinking?—’
‘I doubt that.’
He exhaled. ‘I wanted to give you time to settle in first before burdening you with all of this.’
