Victoria’s expression doesn’t change, but her eyes narrow slightly behind her glasses. “I’d be more relaxed if I didn’t have to spend half my day chasing up your requests, Lieutenant.”
She turns on her heel and walks away, spine straight, shoulders squared.
Tahma watches her go, and to my surprise, a small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I like her,” he says, his tone shifting to something almost appreciative. “She’s got claws. You think she knows how to use them?”
I hide my smile at his obvious interest.
“Where there is smoke, brother,” I suggest carefully, “a fire might spark.”
Tahma shoots me a warning look. “I’m not interested in her.”
“Of course not.” I clap him on the shoulder, steering him back toward the palace. “But perhaps this visit will prove to be the respite you need.”
6
LEO
“I’m sorry. It’s just not possible.”
The Prime Minister’s words feel like a betrayal after the sacred ceremony we just shared.
I hold my composure—barely—as I meet her gaze. “Explain to me how protecting land is an impossibility.”
“Your Highness, while I fully support the initiative in principle, we have to consider existing commercial arrangements.” Jane Beesley spreads her hands across the papers before her. “The mining leases alone?—”
“Those leases expire in two years,” I interrupt, fighting to keep my tone level. The euphoria from this morning’s ceremony drains away with each word she speaks. “We’re not asking for immediate cessation of all activity. We’re asking for protections moving forward.”
“The compensation claims would be astronomical.” She at least has the grace to look uncomfortable. “And the infrastructure projects along the coastal regions...”
I rise from my chair, unable to sit still. We’ve met in the Prime Minister’s office; Victoria arranged it. The room, with its modern furnishings and city views, feels suffocating after the open air of the sacred grove. “So, commerce outweighs culture? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Of course not. But we need to be realistic about what we can achieve in the short term.” She shuffles papers. “Perhaps if we started with a smaller subset of sites?—”
“These aren’t tourist attractions we can pick and choose from,” I snap, my control finally slipping. “They’re sacred places. Our heritage. Our history.”
“Your Highness?—”
“No.” I cut her off. “Review the proposals again. Find a way.”
She sighs heavily. “The issue is not making the law, the issue is passing it. If we do this, we’re likely to stall in the senate unless we have the support of both the crossbench and the opposition.”
I wrestle my control back into place. “Leave that to me. Just get the bill drafted. We can negotiate with the Tribes about those activities that are beneficial but still protect our spaces. But without that protection, we have nothing, Prime Minister.”
Jane dips her head in acknowledgement.
“Leo,” she says as I stalk to the door.
I don’t pull her up—there’s far too much history and respect between us.
“It will be an uphill battle and you are likely to lose if you force this through. Better to coax than to clash. The country is on your side right now after the issue withHikal,but if this beginsto affect jobs or housing—which the opposition will argue—then that good will shall wane very quickly.”
She’s right. I know she’s right. The damage toHikal—a set of stone carvings by the shore in Cape Hardgrave—was the inciting incident for thefulquernah.
We had good will now, but I hate that she was right.
I nod once to show my understanding.
“Politics is fraught with compromise,” she says, her expression one of exhaustion. “You might have the ear of the Queen, but even she must bow to the will of the people.”
