“No comment?” she asked.
“Tragedy haunts my family.”
“I’d say so.” Shadows flickered in her eyes. “We need to talk about this but now is not the time.”
“You’re correct.”
“Fiveballrooms, then,” she said. “I doubt you run all this and keep your pretty castle walls in good repair solely with magic. To maintain a place like this, let alone protect land of this size when you're warring with other courts, you needmoney. Taxes from the lessers and the powerless, I assume, plus tithes from your high lords and ladies.”
“You’re correct.” My lips curled in a pleased smile. “I knew you were clever.”
“Don’t flatter me,” she huffed. “The last thing you need is a battle within your own court.” Her gaze slanted Lord Hadrin’s way before returning to me. “You need everyone, not just those who grow the food and those who reluctantly pay their tithes upon demand.”
I nodded, urging her on, incredibly proud of this woman sitting by my side. She was so much more than a pretty exterior. She was strength personified, and I'd be a fool not to love her.
Which I did. The feeling had snuck up on me fast, but I had no wish not to embrace it. At least I'd have this.
“To keep everyone happy, you need to strike a balance that'll make each feel as if they've won,” she said.
“How can I do this?” Leaning back in my throne, I resisted grinning. She surprised me every time we were together.
Reyla hesitated, glancing at the men with her lips pursed in a thin line. “Lord Hadrin probably believes he can do anything he pleases without consequence. He must think this will go his way, but it appears he stole the cows. The merchant would not dare lie about something like this.”
“The fae can't lie, and he's fae.”
“Thank you for reminding me of this fact.” Her eyebrows lifted, and she shifted on her throne, easing her sword to a new position to favor her back. “Even the lessers?”
“Everyone.”
“What about you?”
“I'm fae.”
“That's not an answer.”
“I'll tell you everything I can,” I said.
“Evasive, but I'll take it for now. We'll address what you didn’t tell me later.”
So . . . it had well and truly begun.
33
MERRICK
“Lord Haldrin appears desperate to save face,” Reyla said, tapping her chin. “He's being judged in front of his peers, and we know how lords and ladies gossip.”
This was new to her. She hadn't grown up in court and that fact just might be enough to make a difference. I liked what her background brought to this situation and my life. I didn't want a prissy queen but a strong woman standing by my side. A woman who would die to save me as eagerly as I would for her.
“Youjudge this situation,” I said.
“Me?” Surprise blazed in her eyes. “You thinkIshould speak with them directly?”
“Why not? Within the week, you'll wear the queen's crown on your head. The mantle will settle around your shoulders. There may be times when I can't sit beside you to judge the cases brought before the court, and you'll need to handle themyourself. This is practice. I'm confident you won't do any harm.”
“Alright.” Her eyes darted to Hadrin, then to Devron. She straightened her spine. “Lord Hadrin, is it possible some of your fences are down, and Devron Bullipart's cows could’ve wandered into your pastures by accident?”
I nodded, urging her on. Color flooded her face. She was incredibly smart. Intuitive, and that would be needed. Why didn't she have the confidence to handle this when she clearly had the skill?
