“This is not what I wanted for any of my children. I would have preferred a love match for all of you whenever possible, but you understand why I had to do this?”
“I do,” he admitted. “I just wish it wasn’t necessary.”
“As do I, but the situation is wholly unique. Dozens of contracts have been signed, courtiers and nobles from every country married off to the children of those who attempt to claim nobility in Canjir.” Her faint sneer spoke volumes about what she thought of the legitimacy of those claims. “However,as a prince, your marriage to that raider gives us far more leverage than anyone else can claim. Because of you, we were able to negotiate a contract that gives us exclusive access to Canjir.”
“What are we even looking for there, though?” Syrus asked. “The land still hasn’t recovered from the eruption. The experts we spoke to said the land will be extremely fertile again eventually, but not for a while yet. Most of the forests were destroyed, so they have no lumber to trade. Are we gaining more access to fish?”
She didn’t quite roll her eyes, that was beneath a queen’s dignity, but it felt like she wanted to. “We are a coastal country, dear. We don’t need them to fish for us. No, we gain access to the volcano itself.”
“Why? It burned itself out. I’ve been told it collapsed in on itself.”
“It did, but that benefits us. It will make it easier to transport goods,” she said, and she knew him well enough to guess his next question before he could even ask. “Volcanoes are deadly, yes, but they also create some of the largest deposits of gold, silver, copper, tourmaline, and lead in the world, not to mention the types of gemstones and crystals that form in molten rock. The Canjiri have attempted to mine the mountain with very limited success, but they lack the manpower and means to truly delve into the riches there.”
“Both of which we have more than enough of,” he said slowly. “With the untapped reserves there, it would allow us to compete with Kargha and Caranyvik in the magical supply market.”
“Compete?” Delia laughed, dark eyes glittering. “If we find even half of what I believe is there, we willbecomethe magical supply market. No need to pay Kargha’s exorbitant prices or deal with Caranyvik’s export taxes. We have the opportunity tocontrol the market in the west, leaving the mages dependent on us. Do you understand the power that would give Vaetreas?”
Behind her, Marsen shifted for the first time, tilting his head ever so slightly. This must be his first time learning of his mother’s plan, as well.
“Why haven’t the Canjiri already done that? Even with their tiny population, surely they know they would be better served to focus on that rather than raiding?” The island was still mostly barren soil, true, but surely the Canjiri could find a way to get food so they could focus on mining? Were they truly so simple that they couldn’t see the untapped potential of their island, rather than focusing on their immediate issues?
“That is one question I don’t have the answer to, nor do I care to find out. Their foolishness has allowed us to step in and that is all that matters to me. What I need from you in return is simple.” She waited until their eyes met, gazes locked. “I need you to control Eiri C’Dari. I know you view him as nothing more than raider trash, but you must not forget that the Canjiri deposed their king because of his actions. Do not underestimate him. Keep him in line, preferably out of sight. You will, of course, attend official functions with him, including your sister’s birthday next month. By then, I expect you to have him in hand, behaving and dressing like one of us. I will not tolerate him continuing to wear such vulgar clothing and acting like a barbarian. Is that clear?”
“It’s clear. I will rein him in,” Syrus assured her. “He won’t embarrass us again.”
The tension broke and she smiled, lifting up on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. “I have faith in you, Syrus. Get some rest. We’ll talk again soon.”
They went their separate ways and when the door to the great hall closed behind him, Syrus finally let some of the tension drain from his shoulders. So many things made sensenow, but none of it was his concern. He didn’t care about the crystal market or contracts. His sole focus had to be on his mission. He only had a few weeks before they had to face the public again. In that time, he somehow had to train a low-bred street mutt to look and act liked a pedigreed hound. It was a daunting task, but one he would accomplish, no matter what.
The strained expression on Farlin’s face should have been his first clue that something wasn’t right. His valet stood outside the doors to Syrus’ suite, which was also unusual. He should have been inside, readying the room for sleep and ensuring a bath was waiting for him after the feast. Most days, Syrus preferred a simple shower, but after hours of socializing, he needed to relax.
“What’s going on?” he asked, barely holding back a sigh.
“It would seem there was a change of plans, sir,” Farlin said, voice cautious. That, combined with the look on his normally passive face, warned Syrus that he was not going to like this. “When I arrived to prepare your rooms for the evening, the Canjiri and his guard were already in residence.”
He’d guessed correctly. He did not like that news. “Someone must have assumed that we would reside together. A simple mistake.” But a frustrating one. “Have someone come pack his things and move him to the correct room.”
“I already spoke to Myrna, sir. She was told to put him here, by order of the queen.”
Fury bubbled up and it was an effort to keep his face even. It wasn’t Farlin’s fault. No, he’d save his anger for his mother and her scheming.
“Then I suppose I need a guest room prepared for myself forthe evening,” he said, after taking a few moments to compose himself.
Farlin actually winced. “I had assumed as much, however…”
It didn’t take a tactician to understand why his valet was so upset. “Let me guess. My mother ordered that I sleep in my own rooms?”
“Yes, sir. I apologize.”
“It’s not your fault, Farlin. She’s the queen, after all.” Syrus glared at the double doors that guarded what had once been his haven of peace within the palace. He should have seen this coming. After all, how was he to control and train Eiri if the span of the entire palace separated them?
“The servant has the green room down the hall. Would you like me to post a guard in the hallway for the night?”
“They would be foolish to attempt to assassinate me on the night of our wedding, when we already have more than the usual number of soldiers patrolling the palace grounds. I’ll be safe this evening. Though I wouldn’t refuse extra coffee with my morning tray.” Because despite what he’d just said, he wouldn’t be sleeping tonight. He knew from past experience that he and Eiri were evenly matched, their fights usually ending in a draw, but he didn’t know the abilities of the man accompanying his unwanted husband.
“Of course, sir. Shall I prepare a bath now?”
Syrus sighed heavily. “No. I can handle the evening preparations. You can head to your quarters, if you’d like. You’ve been up even longer than I have. Get some rest.”
