Page 12 of The Witch Queen

“While I’m disappointed to have lost the trade agreement to Velmara, I for one am happy to see Thayaria and Velmara taking steps to become what they once were—allies,” Queen Lobelia says. Something prickles at the back of my mind at her use of the word, but I shove it aside for another time, too relieved and thrilled with the outcome of events to worry about anything else right now.

After the Forum concludes, Laurel and I sit in her suite together in comfortable silence. I prepare a generous pour of red wine for her, and an even more generous pour of whiskey for myself, handing her the glass before taking my seat on a sofa next to her.

“So,” I say, “I’m going to Velmara.” The enormity of what I’m about to do hits me, but I push down my reservations.

“You’re going to Velmara,” she repeats. “I’m not sure I’m prepared to rule Thayaria without you. We haven’t even discussed what to do about the Sons and Daughters of Thayaria.” She rubs her hands across her face. Laurel looks exhausted and worn down. Her always-on composure and control make it easy to overlook the pressure she puts on herself to be the perfect leader. Glassy eyes stare back at me. She likely hasn’t slept well in weeks.

“I’ve already spoken with Admon and given him direction for the Sons and Daughters, though I didn’t tell him about the mole,” I tell her gently, hoping to ease her concerns. “I counseled him to have the advisors spread whispers telling the truth of this arrangement—that I’m going to Velmara to seek answers about the thayar and that we are dipping a toe in the water of reconciliation with Velmara. I also instructed him to mention we’ll be getting increased revenues for our exports. This should quell their recruitment efforts and take away the full power of their narrative.” Guilt and shame at not being able to stop the rebel attacks before leaving for Velmara churn within me.

“Who are you going to take with you?” she asks me, and I once again hesitate to tell her my plans, knowing how she’ll feel about them.

“Well…” I start slowly. I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “I think I should go alone.”

“Absolutely not.” Laurel’s expression leaves no room for argument. I groan.

“El, you’ve got to stop saying no to everything that puts me at the slightest amount of risk.”

“I don’t, actually. I get to do whatever I want, and what I want is to keep you, my sister in every way that counts, safe. And this isn’t a slight amount of risk. Going alone to Velmara is insanity. Surely you know that.”

“Of course I know the risk. I’ve been through everything you have,” I snap, unable to keep the frustration from my voice. I immediately regret it when I see Laurel’s face shutter. Sighing, I rub a hand across the back of my neck. “I only mean, I’m just as aware as you are of what I’m walking into. And I’ve weighed the benefits and risks. Trust that I wouldn’t put myself in danger unless I had a good reason.”

Her bright green eyes search mine. “And what is this good reason?”

“There are several. First, if I go alone, Mazus will underestimate me. You know how fucked up his views are about females. It will be easier for me to fly under the radar if there isn’t an entire Thayarian entourage with me. Second, there are very few individuals I would trust enough to bring with me, and I need all of them to stay with you. You’ll have Velmarans snooping around your court, not to mention the rising tensions with the rebellion. I want every possible advisor and guard with you.” Laurel rolls her eyes and tries to protest, but I interrupt her and keep going. “Third, if it’s just me, it’s a lot easier to get out if things go south. If I bring multiple people with me, I’ll feel responsible for their safety, and I can’t guarantee it. I won’t put others at risk.” I stare her down, hoping my gaze expresses what I cannot say. The wounds of the war have not healed for me. My own guilt at leading thousands of soldiers to their deaths still haunts me. The idea of taking even a single other person with me who might be killed because of me ignites a grief I cannot bear.

She sighs. “Are you absolutely certain this is what you want? Of course I trust you. You know you can do whatever you want after I protest a little first.” We both chuckle. “I just want you to be safe.”

I squeeze her hand. “I’m sure. I’ll be safe, and it’ll be easier to get out alone. Like I said, I promise to come home at the first sign of trouble.”

She takes a long sip of her wine and sighs. “Fine. What else do we need to sort out before you leave?”

“Carex can take over my spy network, loath as I am to give him that role.” Laurel smiles knowingly. “If my spies uncover any of the rebel plans, they’ll report it. But… we haven’t been able to infiltrate them so far.”

“You should be nicer to Carex. He means well,” Laurel says, and I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

“Despite what you may think, I am capable of putting my feelings for him aside when making decisions about the kingdom. As the Captain of the Royal Guard, he’s the right choice as my replacement for our intelligence efforts. Plus, he’s so in love with you he’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

Laurel snorts and rolls her eyes. “We can agree to disagree on that front.Hewas the one who decided we weren’t right for each other. But you’ve covered everything, as usual. I’ll have to hope I can find something to stop the rebels while you’re gone.”

“You should stay on alert,” I warn. “Things could change with the rebels at any moment. They may be attacking small villages now, but they could easily escalate to larger targets, even the palace. Be careful who you discuss any plans with while I’m gone. The mole is of more concern to me than the rebels. Don’t tell anyone of our suspicions.”

Laurel nods in agreement. “So… how excited are you really to read all those books?” she asks with a genuine grin, changing the somber mood in an instant.

I laugh. “Truly, I think I might squeal when they first bring me to the archives. Other than this trip, it’s been a long time since I’ve left Thayaria, so I can’t help but be a little excited to see something new too.” Laurel winces, so quickly most wouldn’t catch the small movement, but I do. I know she feels enormous guilt for the mist, though I still don’t understand why she won’t drop it. It’s the one subject she won’t discuss with me. There’s more to her unwillingness than a fear of the outside world, but I haven’t discovered it yet. I quickly change the subject to ease her pain. “To see another kingdom’s history and research is amazing, but to see Velmara’s… it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even if I’ll have to occasionally interact with Mazus the Moldy.”

She scrunches her nose, then bursts out with a deep belly laugh. “I forgot we used to call him that,” she says through her heaving laughter. “If he gets too pompous, just drop that little moniker and then put up the strongest plant defenses you can muster.” Grinning, my heart swells with happiness to see her laughing. She doesn’t do it nearly enough, if at all, anymore. It’s also a relief to discuss Mazus in such lighthearted terms for once.

“I’m going to Velmara to cozy up to old Mazus the Moldy, and you’re going to meet the Shining Prince. I hear he’s extremely handsome.” I give her a wink.

Laurel snorts. “I hear there isn’t much more to him than that. They say he spends his days drunk, wooing women only to abandon them the next day. Gambling his father’s fortune and then finding the closest brothel to bed into at night. But I’ve also heard he has light channeling abilities that eclipse even the King’s powers. I can assure you I don’t intend to take much notice of whether he’s handsome or not. I don’t intend to take much notice of him at all. He’s the son of the worst male we’ve ever known and is almost certainly being sent to spy on me.”

I consider her words, my own suspicions about Mazus’s motivations resurfacing. “I’m not convinced he’s being sent to spy, actually. It seems too obvious. Mazus wouldn’t be so straightforward, though I also think he believes us incapable of determining his real plans with our tiny female brains or whatever it is he thinks makes females so inferior.”

She chuckles, though it’s more reserved than her earlier laughter. “Why do you think he’s sending his son?”

I shake my head in confusion and let out a heavy breath. “It’s almost like—like he wants the two of you to meet for some reason. Or maybe he wants his son out of the way in Velmara. Maybe both. I haven’t worked it out yet, but those are my two leading theories.”

Her eyes narrow as she falls deep in thought. “You may be on to something. Either way, I don’t plan to meet him at all. I’ll let the Council handle him entirely, like you suggested. He can stay in his chambers, meet with the Council, and gallivant around the city. Arberly has plenty of pubs for him to drink in and find whatever willing females he wants to take to his bed. He’ll report back to Mazus only what he can glean from those meaningless interactions.”

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