Page 10 of The Witch Queen

We’ve been discussing Thayaria’s grain imports for the last hour, one of the few high-stakes topics of this meeting. Because of Thayaria’s isolation, we rely on trade and barter agreements to ensure we get the food we need. Despite our lush environment, cultivated agriculture is very difficult to maintain—the wild plants take over almost any plot of land unless there is careful tending. Thankfully every other nation requires thayar in some capacity, giving us the upper hand in negotiations.

“The amount of thayar you’ve requested, and withzerotaxes, I’ll add, is a non-starter. Give me another number, or I’ll turn my attention to President Carther and secure my grain from Reshnar, despite our centuries-long agreement,” I respond coolly. President Carther looks like he wants to disappear rather than negotiate with me.

Lobelia hisses. “You know as well as I that Reshnar has little use for thayar flower, since over eighty percent of its population is human. You won’t get favorable grain prices there. Your only other option is Velmara.” Her eyes dart to Mazus, who looks at me with contempt and glee.

“Andyouknow that with my control over the entire supply of thayar flower, I have a lot more power in this negotiation than you want to admit. Give me. Another. Number.” I use my aether-voice, reminding every single leader at this table that I’m more powerful than them all combined. Both Mazus and Lobelia wince. If I wanted to, I could force them to their knees. When crowned, every fae monarch receives the ability to speak with aether in their voice, granting them control over those less powerful than them. It’s a convenient way to measure the magic of those in power.

“I would be happy to provide Thayaria with the grain you seek,” Mazus sneers. “Velmara relies on thayar for most of our kingdom’s trade, as you know. Any increase in our imports would be met with favorable trade terms.” His eyes sparkle. He knows I need the grain, but also knows I refuse to trade with Velmara. Out of necessity, we sell them thayar at an inflated price and use the funds to purchase what we need from one of the other two kingdoms. Unfortunately, the prices barely make a dent in their deep coffers.

“That won’t be necessary,” I respond icily before turning my attention back to Lobelia.

Despite my calm exterior, I was worried this would happen. Thayaria’s supplies of thayar are decreasing dramatically. If we don’t find a solution soon, we won’t be able to keep up with our existing commitments to the other three kingdoms, much less any changes to those terms. Not only will our revenue decrease to almost nonexistent, prohibiting us from purchasing what we need to survive in isolation, the other kingdoms will surely uncover what’s going on and become more fervent in their own research to get past the barrier.

“Fine,” Lobelia says. “You can receive a fifteen percent increase in grain, and in return you’ll provide equal amounts of thayar. If you want twenty percent more, we’d be happy to do that deal as well.”

I suspect this is the agreement she wanted all along, and by presenting it this way, she appears fair and reasonable. An even trade. But thayar is worth much more than grain, and she knows it. Fifteen percent more grain is equal to less than five percent more thayar. Even if it was fair, Thayaria doesn’t currently have enough thayar production to increase Delsar’s share so dramatically.

“Now, far be it from me to step in where I’m not wanted,” Mazus begins, and I struggle to keep from rolling my eyes, “but that does seem like a fair agreement. Thayar grows abundantly on Thayaria, surely your people can shoulder such a small change to their thayar access.” His eyes twinkle knowingly, and my stomach drops.He knows about the declining blooms.

“I don’t remember asking for your input,” Lobelia hisses. He only raises his hands as if he’s simply trying to help.

“Fifteen percent increase in grain for a seven percent increase in thayar. Same taxes as the last agreement. That’s my final offer, and you know it’s more generous than I could be,” I tell Lobelia. Nemesia tenses beside me, aware that Thayaria won’t be able to honor even these terms if we don’t find a way to stop the declining blooms.

“You have a deal, Queen Laurel,” Lobelia says with a smirk. “And I believe that was the last topic for this year’s Forum. We can—”

Mazus clears his throat, interrupting Lobelia. “There is one other final matter that I’d like for us to discuss before adjourning.” My blood turns to ice, dread clenching in my gut as I quickly exchange glances with Nemesia and Admon.

“Well, spit it out, Mazus,” Lobelia says dryly, clearly as ready to be done as I am.

He smirks at her, then looks directly at me. “I’d like to propose that Thayaria and Velmara exchange emissaries.”

The room breaks out in hushed murmurs, even the highly trained Delsar advisors and guards are unable to keep from voicing their shock. Mazus’s own advisors look at him with their brows furrowed. They clearly didn’t know about their King’s plans.

I raise my hand to quiet the room. “Emissaries?” I ask. “You want to send ambassadors to Thayaria?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he replies, using my title now that he wants something. “Ambassadors. For too long our kingdoms have been isolated from one another, and I know I’m partially to blame for that. After three hundred years, I grow weary of the tension. I want us to take steps, albeit very small ones, to repair our two kingdoms’ relationship.”

“Partiallyto blame?” I ask, incredulous. “Youattackedmykingdom—”

Admon cuts me off. “Your Majesty,” he says, voice careful, “I believe we should hear him out.” I look at Admon, my eyes blazing. He drops his voice, whispering so I barely hear him. “There may be much information to gain by testing his reasoning for this proposal. It’s strategic for him to have brought this to the Forum, in front of the other leaders, instead of sending a letter to you or even having his advisors bring it up with Nemesia and I first to gauge your reception. Something is afoot. I suggest we hold our tongues and discover what it is.”

My cheeks heat. Even after three hundred years, Admon’s wise counsel still feels like the reproach of a parent. I nod, then turn back to Mazus, who’s grinning so wide I grow nauseous at the sight.

Mazus continues. “As I was saying, I would like to repair our kingdoms’ relationship, and I’m prepared to send my only child, Hawthorne Vicant, the Shining Prince of Velmara, as my emissary.”

My eyes narrow in suspicion. Mazus can’t believe I’d be foolish enough to allow his son to come to Thayaria as a spy for him. But I only say, “And why would you send theCrown Princeof Velmara to a country where you cannot reach him once he steps foot on my soil, where he will have no allies or friends to call on should he find trouble?”

His eyes drop in mock resignation. “I confess I have a secondary motive for sending my son. Thorne, as he’s called by those who love him, needs to take more interest in the ruling of his country. For too long I’ve allowed him to shirk his responsibilities, wasting away his life in brothels and taverns. I will not live forever, and I wish to leave my kingdom in capable hands when that fateful day comes. I feel he needs a new environment to be able to flourish.”

I don’t believe a single word out of his mouth. I doubt anyone in this room does. Instead of voicing this, I simply ask, coldly, “Why now?”

“It’s weighed heavily on me for many years, Your Majesty. I fear I have no answer for you other than I’ve finally determined to take action. The weight of my past is too much to bear any longer.” Clem looks like he’s eating this up, his eyes glimmering with hope and his mouth ticked up in a soft smile. He believes the Golden King to be a shining beacon of light. All of the people of Reshnar do, their alliance with Velmara as solid as ever.

Before I can respond, Nemesia surprises me by saying, “What else are you prepared to give us should we agree?”

My eyes cut to hers, exasperated that she’s entertaining this nonsense. But I don’t undermine her, not here. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way too many times. I return my gaze to Mazus.

“What is it that you require tobribeyou into diplomatic relations?” he sneers.

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