“Did she tell you she refused to take the knee when I confronted her?” Yemi asked, careful to keep an even tone.
He looked at her for the first time since entering and then swallowed hard. “She did not.”
“Significant detail to leave out,” Yemi replied. “As if the disrespect was intended.”
The queen nodded. “I have to tell you, I’m disappointed in all of this. But my Day of Days approaches, and I am feeling generous. After all, our daughters came up together, did they not? So bring her to me when you join us for the celebration. If she offers me amends herself, out of respect for our families’ long alliance, we may be able to dismiss this as a youthful indiscretion.”
Yemi bristled. When had forgiveness been on the table?
“She will be there. Thank you, My Light. My Shield.” He nodded at Yemi and kissed both their rings before hurrying from the room. Cutter and Nova carefully watched him leave before approaching.
“What was your read of him?” the queen asked Yemi.
“He wasn’t being honest about something.”
“No, he wasn’t.”
“What was all that? Did you mean it when you said you’d forgive her?”
“Of course not,” the queen said dismissively before turning to Cutter. “What did you find?”
“We found five who were present in the group per Ennova’s observation—four low rank, one captain, all from the same company. They’ve been transferred to interrogation for the names of the others,” Cutter explained.
“You have three days to get those names.” The queen stood with some effort but declined Cutter’s gesture to help her down the stairs. “While the Drakes are here for the party, I want their little insurgent cell dismantled before the sun comes up.”
“Wait, that’s it?” Yemi asked as they trailed her to an antechamber where Lord Cerro was waiting alongside a clutch of rumpled, nervous-looking men who smelled even at this distance as if they might be fishmongers.
“We can’t kill them outright and risk our relationships with the rest of Ixia’s influential families, Yemaya.” The queen sighed. “That’s how civil wars get funding. We eradicate their base, we eradicate the means they have to act on their rhetoric.”
“My Queen, chances are the Drakes radicalized people who were already malcontents. Even if we collapse this cell, they’ll always be able to find new recruits,” said Cutter. This was a surprise; he’d never even come close to siding with Yemi on anything over the queen. Nova looked just as shocked but made a point of staring at something on the floor near her shoes.
“There has to be punishment. At least revoke their Green Zone permits. Cut off their access to our soldiers,” Yemi pleaded.
The queen peered at them all from the black emptiness of the mask’s eyes. “I see we’re ruling Ixia by committee now?” she said with a noticeable edge to her voice. “Very well. Orie, pull the Drake permits,butafterthe party. Restrict all vending to the north and look into wresting their energy assets. We’ll make them a public utility under the Crown, provided the intelligence we’re able to secure can justify it.Yes, Lord Cerro, what can I do foryounow?”
Cerro had crept forward and was now standing close enough to tower menacingly over everyone but Cutter.
“My Light, Chairre’s Bay Counsel came to me again about the fish. We were hoping for a moment to discuss how best to remedy the ongoing disruption of their livelihood.”
The queen nodded in their direction.
“I swear, if you have promised them anything…” she threatened in a low voice.
“Nothing more than Your Majesty’s compassionate attention,” Cerro assured her. “Though, perhaps selfishly, I do hope what you hear today might sway you to finally become more active in the order.”
“My Lord, perhaps a little less honesty about your ulterior motives would get you further?” Yemi suggested.
Cerro chuckled, a dry, rattling sort of sound. “I am a priest, My Qorrea. By definition, an honest man.”
“Mm,” Yemi grunted, squinting skeptically in lieu of protest.
“Right. Well, let’s get on with it,” said the queen. “Orie, a sandwich or somethingimmediately after, if you would. I’m starving.”
“Kitchen’s already on it, My Light.”
“Brilliant. Daughter.” Yemi’s mother gave her a pointed, somewhat defeated look. “Please.”
Yemi blinked as her mother walked away with Cerro and Orie in tow. “?‘Please’? Please what?” She frowned.
