Page 15 of Of Brides Of Queens

Chapter Three

A revelation of purpose.

I’d had ample time to wish that this high-backed chair was more like a plush chaise.

“Witnessed by Prince Sign. Processed by Prince Seal. And a copy of the contract was distributed to all parties by Prince Deliver,” droned King Raise.

There was a long lull then, one that my brain had to study before realizing that the king was finished at last.

“Who is to say that you did not skip over or incorrectly recite clauses,” said King Bring as though waking from a slumber like mine. “I will need to study the document myself.”

King Raise flipped his palm, and the contract disappeared. “That won’t do.”

“You jest, trickery king,” said Change. “How can a tribunal tribune without proper information? Trusted information. While once you spoke honestly to us, you have not done so in centuries.”

Raise’s demeanor altered. He gained a hunch in his shoulders that made me wonder if he’d launch at the beastly Change. “Ionlyspeak truth to kings.”

See laughed low. “You speak the truth you have convinced yourself of, Raise. Your interpretation of the truth. Which is very rarely the actual truth.”

Raise hissed. “Truth is open to interpretation. Do not assume to know truth better than I. I am the king of truth.”

My brows climbed. Had he given himself that title? I couldn’t imagine a statement further from the truth.

“That is beside the point. With nothing to interpret, there can be no truth to decide,” Bring retorted. “If nothing can be decided, there is no reason for a tribunal in the first place.”

“Perhaps not,” Raise said, too quickly. “So until the tribunal has passed judgment, then per previous precedents, the Queen Perantiqua will pass into my servitude.”

Take chuckled, his feet swinging.

Bring stepped closer to Raise. “Your true ploy is revealed.”

“Not a ploy. A demand that precedent is honored.”

I hadn’t much listened to Raise after the first hour, but somewhere around midnight, a thought had occurred to me.

This tribunal had been an excuse to summon me. Kings had really gathered to hear my purpose, Raise aside.

This was about power.

Raise wanted a queen as his servant to make him the most powerful and undisputed king. None of the other kings could let that happenunlessthey could be sure of my purpose or Raise’s.

Raise had no obvious desire to ruin or save, so they were as unsure about him as me, and that was a dangerous combination, so agreeing to condemn me to servitude really wasn’t in the interest of any other king.

And yet.

The kings all considered Raise’s words now. That meant his words on precedence held weight.

King Raise did not expect that I would be his servant eternally, but he would hold me for as long as possible and do as much damage as possible in that time.

That would not do. I might not have set ideas of purpose, but I would certainly not let another set my ideas for me.

“I summon Sign, Seal, and Deliver,” I announced.

Raise snarled. “You dare to summonmyprinces.”

I clasped my hands on my lap. “Of course not, King Raise. I summon my pawns.”

I’d never intentionally summoned princes or pawns or princely pawns, but I recalled the feeling of a lightning bolt shot out on instinct. This time, I set my will upon three, then released my power.

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