Page 14 of Rise of the Vicious Princess

She imagined her skin was impenetrable, a shield that would hold fast no matter what came for her, and took the offensive. “Before we get into the events of last night, I’d like to set an agenda item for the upcoming royal council meeting.”

The queen waited, her breathing shallow as she pressed a hand gently against her bandaged abdomen.

“I’ve just learned that four families who’ve made their antiwar sentiments clear failed to pay their quarterly taxes.” Charis raised a hand and ticked the names off on her fingers. “Pellinsworth, Silving, Robill, and Perch.”

“Have they, now?” Mother’s whisper could cut glass.

“Three were in attendance at last night’s ball.”

“How bold of them.” The queen coughed and winced.

“A bold crime deserves an even bolder punishment,” Charis said.

“Indeed it does. What did you have in mind?”

“I propose we call them before the council, levy a fine against them, and sell enough of their lands to cover what is owed unless they can immediately pay their debts. If they refuse to cooperate in any way, we strip them of their titles.” Charis folded her hands to keep from worrying the silver pieces sewn into her bodice. “To stop the antiwar faction from spreading the rumor that we are punishing those families to quash dissent, we send out a proclamation that explains our actions and reiterates that we welcome civil discussion but that no one is above the law.”

Mother was quiet for a long moment, her eyes closing as beads of sweat dotted her brow. Finally, she nodded. Charis moved quickly to the main purpose of the meeting.

“My top priority is to learn how spies got so far into the palace without being detected and to find a path toward peace with Montevallo before King Alaric decides to send another assassin after you. To that end, I’ve instructed the head of the palace guard to quietly put feelers out into the city to see if there are any rumors that could provide useful information. It’s a shame Reuben killed both spies, or we might have learned something.”

Mother coughed again and hissed in pain. “You should have stopped him.”

Charis’s voice sharpened. “I wasn’t in the room when either killing happened. If you disagree with Reuben’s handling of the situation, you should make that clear to him.”

The queen’s lips tightened. Looking at her mother was almost like looking in the mirror—curly brown hair, slim, strong figure, and always, always the touch of cruelty lurking at her mouth. But now the queen’s hands trembled, and her skin had taken on a waxy sheen.

“I had a great deal to say to Reuben this morning while you were with the palace steward. He has redeemed his mistake, but I expect my daughter . . .” Her voice faded, and her eyelids drooped. She seemed to open them again with effort. “I expect my daughter to maintain absolute control over her staff at all times. If you can’t do that, how can you control a kingdom?”

Charis held Mother’s gaze, grateful for the press of sharp silver filigree against her ribs to remind her that she wore armor outside and in. Letting a hint of her own viciousness coat her words, she said, “I can control my staff. And I have the management of the kingdom well in hand.” Charis’s chest tightened at the look in her mother’s eyes, but she knew better than to show it. A wolf respected another predatory wolf but tore out the throat of an animal too weak to hold its ground.

“We need to understand King Alaric’s motives.” Charis lowered her voice, though they were alone. “His army continues to conquer our territories. We’ve made no successful invasion on Montevallian soil. Given enough time, if nothing changes on our end, he will win the war. So why kill you? And why send an unarmed spy into my chambers?”

The queen nodded, her lips pressed together in a thin line, the only outward sign of emotion she would permit herself. “We’re missing something, Charis.” Her voice was thready with exhaustion.

“I agree. Either he feels threatened, though I’m not sure how, or he needs the war to end quickly, and he believes your death is the way to accomplish that. Which means he will probably send assassins after you again. He must believe that if he removes the queen, he’ll throw the kingdom into chaos, and he’ll get what he wants much faster.”

“He’s underestimated you if he thinks dealing with you as queen will be easier for him.” There was a tiny glimmer of pride in Mother’s eyes, and Charis’s shoulders straightened. Earning kind words from Father was as easy as breathing, but Mother dispensed approval like crusts of bread during a famine. “But we cannot ignore that these spies were able to get into the palace, past multiple guards and servants, and hide where we would be most vulnerable, which means the guards and staff who were on duty last night in or near the ladies’ parlor or your chambers failed us.”

Her voice had a sharp note of finality in it, and the breath left Charis’s body as if she’d been struck.

Milla.

“Mother—”

There was a knock at the door, and the queen said, “Enter.”

Charis’s fingers shook as she pressed them against her sides. Please let her have misunderstood Mother’s meaning for once. Please.

A footman opened the doors and stood aside as Reuben entered, followed by Tal. Both guards bowed their heads to the queen and said, “Your Majesty,” and then turned to Charis and did the same while murmuring “Your Highness.”

As soon as the footman closed the door behind the newcomers, the queen said, “Your father and I have spoken about the matter.”

Mother waved a hand weakly in the direction of the guards. Tal stepped forward, his eyes on Charis, though his expression revealed nothing. “Tal will be your personal guard from now on. Your father trusts him implicitly. He is to be at your side wherever you go, and he will sleep in the room adjacent to your chambers.” Her voice faded.

“But that’s Milla’s room.” Charis locked eyes with Mother.

The queen’s chest rose and fell rapidly as though her pain was becoming unmanageable. “As I said, the staff responsible for protecting the ladies’ parlor and your chambers failed us last night.” Her voice was a dagger drawing blood with every word. “At least one of them must have been complicit in showing the spies where to hide.”

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