Page 19 of Her Royal Blood

“I have help. I know I can free Lex and I’m going to defeat Polonius. I’m aware of his weakness, I just need to get the backing we need to defeat him. He underestimates me and that is his first mistake, all we need is for him to make a few more and we’ll be free.” I ate more of my food as I was starving.

“I hope you’re right,” Queen Delia took another bite of her meal and looked a little more at ease. “So you are a queen now. Rightfully deserved. I hear that before Polonius’ threats, your kingdom was growing quickly, you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. I know if Amadeus had his wits about him, he’d be extremely proud of who you’ve become.” Just themention of my father and our strained and nearly non-existent relationship stung and hurt more than I thought it would.

“How is Amadeus?” I asked, worried about what they might tell me.

“He’s still recovering,” Nan said with a note of sadness.

“Do you think he will recover?” It felt too painful to finally have a father then to have him ripped away from me without ever having the opportunity to get to know him as a father.

“We hope he will,” Queen Delia jumped in. “But if he doesn’t we’re happy that his secret has now been revealed. Nan is no longer in our employ but is a trusted member of my court. She serves as my advisor and Amadeus’ caregiver with others, of course, but he seems to respond better to her.” Queen Delia must have been eager to tell me about how they are writing the wrongs of my father’s secrecy.

“For all of those years we kept you hidden, Aria, and I’m sorry, but the Bevatas threatened Amadeus with imprisonment for fathering a child with a servant. Lady India wouldn’t put a price on Tirah, your mother. Lady India was a jealous wicked woman who refused to free her servant. She knew if she did, Amadeus would marry her. With Santana Bravata as king when you were born, we didn’t want to risk anything happening to you. When your mother died just as you entered this world, Lady India took you as a means to continue to hold power over Amadeus. I regret now that so many years have passed and you never knew your family.” The confession meant a lot, though it was long overdue.

“Thank you for explaining it to me, Queen Delia.” I nodded to the queen. “So you are my grandmother?” I asked Nan, knowing she was.

I still asked the question, hoping she’d confirm the truth because the thought of her being my grandmother was too good to imagine.

“I am,” she said and her face filled with joy. “And I am so proud to be.” She reached out and took my hand and I strengthened my resolve for her, and my father, for Lex and his family we would win this war.

“As am I,” I shared and we continued to eat.

They told me how the Crypt Claw took the ports and were able to infiltrate Navarrah City from the Isle of Vitoria. They also explained that the army disbanded to protect and hide the citizens, but they were regrouping and joining forces with the troops in Onyx Rah to attack Brahman’s Peak. Cheyenne had gone to get support from other kingdoms and they were letting Polonius think the Navarrah City had been weakened.

“We’re spread thin,” Queen Delia said, sounding determined though wary, “but we are not powerless.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” I assured her.

We finished our meal and Nan and Lady Delia went to their separate quarters leaving Janaya and I to talk.

“So I’ve heard all this news of you being out looking to wed,” I told her, having heard that she was on a tour of Voltaire meeting princes. “Did anything come of your quest?”

Janaya rolled her eyes at me. “No. Oh no, no. Princes are the most boring lot. I mean my brothers are suave and handsome and I guess not boring if you’re into war and political intrigue,” she looked at me and laughed. “Well I guess you are actually.”

I laughed too, it felt amazing to laugh and let go for a moment.

“Yes I am very into one of your brothers. So much so I’m about to go and risk my life for him.” Again we laughed and for a moment everything felt lighter.

“Well I don’t find my brothers all that appealing and I wouldn't as their sister, but honestly no one has been that interesting. Everyone just wants me to sit around and look pretty. Cross stitch and make things, which I’m abysmal atdoing, or garden and of course raise children.” Her voice rose and she shook her head. “I don’t even really like children. Do you?” Did I?

Lex and I had been so focused on fighting and raising a kingdom we really hadn’t thought about children outside of my taking herbs to prevent them. Our relationship and our prospects of marriage and two kingdoms to deal with was hard enough.

“I’m not sure where I stand on children in general, but I know I’d love mine. Also I think if they were Lex’s I’d adore them. You know, little scrappy boys and girls with their hair a mess, both fighting with swords and running free through the trees. However I can’t really consider children at the moment…I mean, I’m married to a tyrant currently, so.” This made us laugh again, but not as boisterously.

“I just want to matter. I watch Cheyenne, Lex, and my father devote their entire lives to our kingdom and I just want to do my part. I’m not a fighter like you are, and I don’t have the best political strategies, but there has to be something I can do that isn’t wed and bed a prince.” She drank her tea and looked at me. “Also, I wish this was wine. I miss going out and being among the people.”

“It’s too dangerous for both of us at the moment, but I wish that for you too. You would be an amazing diplomat or in some kind of job where you work with people. When I get back to Onyx Rah and can rule again, you and I should talk about what you want. You don’t have to marry a prince or even a man if you don’t feel like it. You can just be you,” I told her, touching her hand for reassurance, knowing that no one in her family would have such a frank conversation with her.

“Thank you for saying that. It makes me feel better knowing that I have some choices. You sure you don’t want to sneak outand have some fun?” She asked, knowing what the answer would be.

“I would love to, but I want to live to save your brother. Imagine if after all of this Polonius got word that the wife who was supposed to be in his bed tonight was actually at a bar in Navarrah City, partying. No, I'm having a bath and going to bed.” I yawned and was ready to do just that. “Am I bunking with you?”

“You are. It will be like I always hoped for. I used to dream about you and I having a slumber party where we could talk all night and braid each other’s hair,” she giggled. “I wanted you to be a princess so badly so that you’d be allowed to be my friend. I’m so glad that you’re queen.” Her smile was warm and genuine.

“I am too and I’m forever your friend, queen or servant, that will never change.” We both shared a warm smile and took each other’s hands.

“No, that will never change. Okay, I’m going to see if I can find wine. You go get a bath and some sleep. You need both…desperately.” She rolled her eyes and I laughed again.

“Apparently.” I left Janaya and was directed to the bathing room where I locked the door and soaked in the steaming warm bath, nearly falling asleep to the calming scents of lavender and jasmine.

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