‘Rethink what? If I’d cleaned house after the Lich War, we wouldn’t be having these problems. Gods, I should have cut that snake’s head off the moment he refused to march with us,’ I said, and the ever-diplomatic Riordan sighed.
‘Fine, just don’t purge the entire council. We need somebody left to run the country,’ he said, nearly climbing into the hearth to get warm. ‘Just tell me one thing. What do you intend to do with Tivala’s heir? Roksana won’t be happy seeing her in the royal quarters.’ The concern in his voice was so genuine, I huffed a laugh.
‘Sana sent her here. If she let her live, I will protect her. The royal quarters have the best security…’ I paused, genuinely confused. ‘Why do you even ask?’
‘There’s been a lot of rumours,’ he muttered, ‘they think you’re moving forward with the engagement.’
I snorted a disdainful laugh, but Riordan was serious. His suggestion that I would even look at another woman was insane. I couldn’t correct what people thought, but I could ensure they knew to whom the queen’s quarters belonged. ‘Once we’re done, call the chamberlain. It’s time to move Sana’s belongings from her house to the palace. I want an alchemy workshop built in the queen’s quarters.’
Riordan’s eyes widened, and I felt his magic touching my thoughts before he smiled. ‘I’m so happy for you,’ he said when I let him see the exact moment she told me she’d move to the palace. ‘But talk to the dwarf first. He’ll object.’
It wasn’t much, but it was a future I was eagerly anticipating in these trying times. Ever since the day Irsha returned with Inga Tivala and the schemata, something had felt wrong. The nagging pain worsened when Tova arrived and instantly wanted to set after his Drah’sa.
Heat rose in my chest again until there was nothing but the roar of blood in my head. I closed my eyes, forcing it down, but the Wild Magic was relentless, and the berserker clawed at my soul at the mere thought of her.
‘Are you sure Inga won’t fight this?’ Riordan broke through my torment, and I nodded. Inga Tivala was an enigma that surprised and confused me. I often found her in the library, working closely with Tova and Lilliana to decipher the strange schemata she brought with her.
‘Yes, in fact, she’s already helping, and if things go my way, Lady Tivala will soon depose her father,’ I said, turning towards the entrance when the guards hammered their fists on the large door. The council members had arrived.
I walked back to the table, observing as the men and women from the country’s best families found their seats. Some were empty, but those would have new owners before this council ended, and not in the way most nobles expected.
‘Your Majesty,’ the chancellor bowed his head, and one by one, others mimicked his gesture. ‘We didn’t receive the agenda for today’s session. What do you wish to discuss?’ He sat down, looking at me expectantly, while I observed their greetings, letting the silence lengthen before I answered.
‘There is no agenda, and there will be no discussion, just decisions.’ I gestured to the guards, who, on command, closed the door, bolting it shut. I could taste the unease building in the room. The sour stench of fear from Tivala’s toadies was so palpable it lingered on the tip of my tongue.
‘Lord Regent, call for our guests.’ I used Riordan’s official title, and for a moment, he didn’t react, unused to me using formal speech. When he finally did, Cinared’s amusement coloured my thoughts.
Your friend looks startled, he said as he took a front-row seat in my mind to watch the session.
Wait until you see the council’s reactions, I thought back, realising his quiet presence had helped calm my temper, even as I faced the men who betrayed me.
Irsha, Tova, and Inga Tivala entered the chamber. The two men looked uncomfortable, not used to such attention. Inga didn’t have the same problem. The disdain on her face made even her father’s staunchest supporters look down.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ Marquise Yaran asked, fingers tightening on his wineglass so hard that the stem cracked.
‘I am pleased to introduce the newest members of the royal council. Master Irsha Wilkor will be the representative of the Dark Brotherhood and the guilds of Truso. Master Tova Orenson has agreed to speak for Wiosna during their time of rebuilding.’ I paused, enjoying their shocked expressions, before I finished the presentation. ‘And after due consideration, Lady Tivala consented to my invitation and will replace her father. The traitor known as Ernesto Tivala is stripped of his rights and titles, and a price of one thousand gold pieces will be placed on his head.’
‘What? You can’t… He’s a duke!’ Yaran rose from his chair, glancing at the others. ‘Even the king can’t do this without a trial. What are the charges? What treason has he committed?’
I nodded to Inga. She bowed her head slightly, stepping forward, staring Yaran down. ‘As you intimately know, Marquise Yaran, my father conspired with the Tangra Empire to take the throne of Dagome. You know this because you were presentand complicit during this discussion.’ Her voice could cut glass, giving me exactly what I needed.
Yaran paled, and the goblet, already cracked, shattered, spraying glass shards across the table. ‘I was trying to stop him. This is madness. What does a pampered chit like you know about politics? You’re just a child eavesdropping at doors without understanding,’ he stuttered, eyes darting towards the door and the guards stationed there.
‘Do you also think me a child?’ Irsha asked, and when I looked at the Grand Master’s disciple, I caught the playful smile tugging at his lips. ‘The night you planned to rebel against the regent. When I visited your house with the king’s shadow, did I also misunderstand your intentions?’
A wave of pride washed over me, looking at the shocked faces of those who’d tried to dismantle my rule. My poisonous queen, with her wily tactics, crushed these fools.
‘I… That Brotherhood bitch forced me to lie. Lords and Ladies of Dagome, whom will you believe, a criminal and a child or someone who faithfully served this country for years?’ Yaran turned to the gathered councilmen, but even those who’d previously supported him were now looking down, avoiding his eyes.
I’d planned his death the moment I learned of his involvement in Tivala’s plan. A public execution. He’d make a striking example for those who dared to threaten my kingdom. Politics were politics, but this fool had made it personal.
Yaran looked me in the eye, horror twisting his features. He stepped back, toppling the chair. Its thud reverberated in the suddenly silent room as I advanced with deadly intent. ‘My liege, please. You… you must understand. I… I was misled. When I saw the marriage contract… I would never….’ he stuttered, stumbling back, tripping over the furniture. His body crashed to the floor, but he still tried to crawl away in terror.
‘Marriage contract? A forgery. Ernesto planned to replace me! Ask Lady Tivala. She was an innocent pawn in a madman’s plans.’ My hand shot forth, seizing his neck. With the Wild Magic burning inside me, lifting him took no effort at all.
‘I didn’t know… I didn’t…’ I squeezed tighter, cutting him off. I quashed the rush of pleasure when Yaran fought for his next breath.
‘I would grant you a blade – a clean, honourable death – but you called her a bitch… my Viper.’ My hand flexed, the anger rising in waves of berserk fury. Because of men like him, she’d been forced to endanger herself, and he dared… Golden fire danced in my vision as weeks of pent-up worry and anger finally found a target
