Page 17 of The Witch Queen

I loathe the gold that covers the Velmaran palace and am more than happy to give this bedroom over to Silene. She collapses onto the bed, moaning at the soft bedding. “Thank the aether, these beds are comfortable. I could sleep fordaysafter the chaos of last week.” With a smile, I leave her to appreciate the bed intended for me.

The last remaining bedroom is smaller, though not by much. It’s painted a deep green that relaxes my tense body the instant I step into the room. Had I taken the first pick, I would have chosen this bedroom. It feels warm, the camel leather sofa at the foot of the bed pairing perfectly with the velvet emerald comforter. The desk is a rich oak, and even the bathing chamber is dark and moody. After changing out of my dusty travel clothes, I settle into the comfortable bed and allow my exhaustion to lull me into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Fionn, Silene, and I eat breakfast together in the sitting room. We all slept well somehow, not concerned that it was our first night in a country that killed hundreds of our people the last time Velmarans were on these lands.

“What’s our strategy for this Council meeting today? Do you think the Queen will be there?” Fionn asks.

I nod. “I assume she’ll formally greet us today. I plan to be observant and do my best to keep my mouth shut.”

Silene shakes her head up and down vigorously in agreement. “Yes, Thorne,keep your mouth shut, you impulsive rake.” Fionn chuckles, and I give Silene a wink. “What of our betrothal? Are we officially engaged here?” she asks.

“What do you think?” I ask, sure she has an opinion.

She frowns, pausing to consider the options. “We let them continue to believe whatever it is they’ve heard. If they bring up the betrothal, then we’re a couple. If they don’t, then we get to finally be rid of each other,” she taunts, and I laugh before giving her my agreement. If they do think we’re betrothed, I’ll have to find a way to establish that it’s a political arrangement made by my father if my plan to charm Queen Laurel into spilling her secrets is going to work.

A knock at the door reveals Admon.

“If you’re ready,” he says from the doorway, “I’ll show you to the Council chambers.” I nod, and we follow him out the door and down the hallway we entered last night. He stops before a large staircase, then looks back at us. “I must warn you,” he says, a twinkle in his eyes, “this palace has many floors, and the Council chambers are at the very top. We are in for a vigorous walk. Since we’re at a higher elevation than you’re unused to, this may be a difficult trek.” Fionn puffs out his chest a bit, huffing at the implication that he’s not capable of conquering stairs. Silene and I trade glances in silent laughter.

Thirty minutes later, all three of us, Fionn included, are out of breath. Admon seems perfectly fine. “You weren’t kidding when you warned us about the stairs,” I barely gasp out. Admon only smiles and leads us down another dark and cold hallway and into a large Council chamber.

I’m surprised at the number of advisors here. There must be at least thirty in the room. While my father has many courtiers and nobles, his formal list of advisors is extremely short, holding only two names.

Admon notices my surprise. “Her Majesty Queen Laurel is a ruler who seeks the opinions of many when making decisions. The Council of Advisors is quite large, as you can see. Not everyone attends every meeting, but they have all shown up to meet Velmara’s Crown Prince.” I only nod, then follow him to the head of the large square table, where four seats have been arranged. He gestures for Silene, Fionn, and me to sit.

Once again, I search for the Queen, and once again, Admon informs me, “Her Majesty will not be joining us. She has delegated relations with Velmara to her Council. You will meet with sub-committees of the Council for various topics throughout your time here.” I bristle, feeling somewhat insulted that the Queen is not even attempting to meet me or welcome me herself. Before I can say anything, Admon stands and addresses the room. “As the temporary and acting chair of the Council of Advisors, I am delighted to introduce you to His Royal Highness, Prince Hawthorne Vicant, Crown Prince of Velmara. We are pleased to extend you our welcome, Prince Hawthorne. We are also pleased to meet your betrothed, Miss Silene Kalmeera, as well as your advisor, Fionn Solanum. Welcome to Thayaria.”

So much for staying silent on our betrothal.I inwardly sigh. They must have been told by my father when he wrote to Queen Laurel requesting permission for me to bring two advisors along. It seems he’s not letting me out of this betrothal, even if it would have made it easier to get her to trust me. The room of advisors claps quietly, an odd reaction to being introduced to the first strangers to enter their lands in three hundred years.

Admon continues. “Today’s meeting is an opportunity for the advisors to introduce themselves. Once the room has completed introductions, we’ll ask for a list of topics you’d like to prioritize so that we can arrange a series of meetings for your first weeks here.”

All thirty plus advisors tell me their names and the sub-committees they’re assigned to as they offer their pleasantries and welcomes. I try my best to commit every name to memory but can only keep track of a few. Aria, who leads the small business programs, is an attractive female who bats her lashes at me after I give her a dimple-revealing smirk. Lionel, a human with blonde hair and a red beard, runs the kitchens. Nathaniel, an extremely tall fae with a face that makes him look like he’s perpetually keeping a secret, is in charge of infrastructure for the kingdom.

When the Captain of the Royal Guard introduces himself, I attempt to flirt with him, not out of any real interest in the straight-laced male, but to see what boundaries may exist there. He’d prove a useful ally in getting closer to the Queen, especially if I could charm him enough to reveal her guard rotation or schedule. He wouldn’t be the first male I’ve wooed in order to get what I want. Despite my best efforts to wink and make suggestive comments, he only responds awkwardly, like he’s unsure what to do with the interest of the Crown Prince of Velmara.

The introduction takes what feels like ages and is not at all what I expected. I assumed the Queen would greet me with veiled threats and tell me to stay out of her way, then show a small bit of power to keep me in line. I certainly didn’t expect I’d have to actually work while I was here.

There are dozens, maybe more, sub-committees, all with special topics and agendas. Many of the advisors make their plea to be my priority in the first weeks. One of them, a mousy and matronly looking female fae named Margery who introduces herself as the Minister of Education for Thayaria, makes an impassioned speech about desiring my expertise in light channeling at the school in Arberly. They have several light channelers who are struggling without teachers. That piques my interest, and I make a mental note to make that one of my priorities.

When the last of the advisors is done introducing themselves, Admon looks at me expectantly. I don’t know what to do, but Silene steps on my foot to urge me to act. I stand, trying to imitate the way I’ve seen my father give speeches to his nobles.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. Silene, Fionn, and I are grateful for your hospitality and are thrilled to be here in Thayaria.” I flash my most charming grin, and I see it working on several of the younger advisors. Though I was nervous when I first began speaking, my next words surprise me. “I would like to learn more about your magical education system, your trade agreements with other kingdoms, and your programs for supporting small family-owned businesses.” I didn’t realize I cared about those topics, but I find myself excited at the prospect of learning more.

Silene steps on my foot again. “I’ll discuss this with Silene and Fionn and provide a thorough list to you by tomorrow,” I add for Silene’s benefit, and she relaxes. I’ve apparently said what she wants me to say.

Admon claps his hands. “Excellent, Your Highness. We’ll await your missive and begin setting up the additional meetings.” With that, he dismisses the Council, and the advisors all stand and begin to make their way out of the chambers.

“Admon,” I say. He turns to me. “When will I meet Her Majesty, Queen Laurel? I expected to have been introduced by now.”

“Her Majesty has many other responsibilities. As I said, she has wholly entrusted the Velmaran relationship to her Council. I am to be your primary point of contact.”

I don’t respond, reading between the lines. They don’t intend for me to meet Queen Laurel.

Laurel

Only the most powerful of light channelers can bend light to mask or cloak themselves and remain invisible in certain circumstances. Even rarer is the ability to bend light around another person or object.

The Unabridged History of Magical Orders, Volume I

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