Page 96 of Conspirators' Kingdom

She could see what he was doing, trying to diminish her in front of the court, and by extension, Mereruka. She wouldn’t let him win this game.

“And yet your people are incapable of doing more than a single spell each,” he said, his tone one of pity.

Whispers raced through the court. Khety had been well-informed. Perhaps she and Mereruka should have sailed into Maat on a ghost ship instead. Fear and fury coiled in her gut. She couldn’t allow her homeland to appear weak in their eyes, for her sake, and for that of her family. Her magic had inspired enough fear in the fae aboard the ship. She would need to paint the proper picture for those in attendance now.

“And yet we have needed nothing more than this to create a wealthy, unified empire,” Taisiya replied. “In Lethe, we do not pity a bolt of lightning, or the raging fire it sparks. Neither do we pity the waves that sink a ship, nor the gale-force winds that drive them. Perhaps it is different in Maat.” She smiled brightly. “I wouldn’t know, I have only been in your lovely kingdom for a few weeks.”

She could have heard a pin drop in the breathless silence gripping the chamber. Even the music had ground to a halt. Khety’s stare was measuring. Then, suddenly, he laughed. The jovial sound cut the tension in the room in an instant.

“Brother, your bride has sharp wits and a sharper tongue! She’ll do well in Maat. Welcome to my land, little Princess Consort, and enjoy the banquet.” He nodded. Though his lips were curved in a smile, his eyes were like chips of ice.

She’d won this game, but his expression promised retribution.

As if those gathered finally dared to breathe again, the conversations and entertainment resumed. Servants hastily carried away the many gifts and entertainers struck up a lively tune. Mereruka stood tall with her and claimed her hand, avoiding the gossips and well-wishers by pulling her into a dance. Thankfully, it was one to which they’d practised the steps.

“That was dangerous,” he whispered.

“It was necessary. We cannot appear weak,” Taisiya replied.

“I wasn’t castigating you. You played that well.” Mereruka grinned.

Taisiya allowed herself a small smile.

“He didn’t seem...thrilledby your return.” She chose her words carefully.

“Would you be pleased by an ambitious man circling your court? Or by an ambitious couple allied with a feared, unknown empire?”

Taisiya shook her head.

“I’m looking forward to ruffling his feathers,” she said.

“As am I,” Mereruka added.

“Why didn’t Queen Betrest greet us?” Taisiya asked.

She hadn’t seen the queen near where the king had been seated, nor among the faces of the banquet guests. If her depictions were to be believed, she would be hard to miss.

“Over the decades the queen has become… ornamental at best. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she preferred the company of her friends over her husband’s at events like these. Especially since the king is otherwise engaged.” Mereruka nodded his head to Khety.

As they danced, the king lounged on his throne, petted and fawned over by a beautiful fae woman with pale yellow skin and hair that resembled pink peach blossoms. She was dressed almost as finely as Khety himself. Certainly as well as Taisiya. If she’d been wearing a crown, as Taisiya and Mereruka did, it wouldn’t have been a stretch to assume she was the queen.

“The king flaunts his mistresses so openly? With his wife presumably in attendance?”

“Khety’s lovers all have the official status of royal concubines and are bound to him as though wed. I had heard she was his newest favourite. Hemetre was engaged to me before I was sent to Lethe.” At Taisiya’s frown, he explained, “She wanted to be Khety’s concubine, but he wouldn’t give her the time of day. I made a deal with her. His petulant jealousy was easy enough to manipulate. He snatched her away from me within a matter of weeks, all as I’d expected. Now she’s Her Most Treasured, the Royal Consort Hemetre, and I am ten years richer.”

Taisiya watched as the beauty Hemetre poured the king more wine and whispered softly in his ear as he sipped it. Khety listened, enraptured. Taisiya pitied the queen, wherever she was. If Betrest kept out of their way when they took the throne, Taisiya had a mind to reward the woman for suffering such a lacklustre spouse.

“I’ve spotted Betrest. Do you wish to greet her?” Mereruka asked.

“Yes. I’d like to take her measure,” Taisiya answered.

She needed to know if the queen would pose as many problems as her husband, or, indeed, if she were capable of posing a challenge. When Mereruka pushed them through the throngs, it was to find the queen holding court in miniature. She was unmistakable in her crown; with skin that glittered like gold and deep green hair braided with gleaming jewels, Betrest radiated dignity and sophisticated poise. Instead of flatterers and entertainers, those surrounding her were engaged in a lively debate. Serfka, the Vizier, was here, listening as the queen gave her opinion on some matter of state. Why the cunning Khety preferred the fawning attentions of Hemetre to Betrest’s obvious charms was beyond her.

Their arrival was met with the queen’s polite smile. Her violet eyes betrayed nothing.

“Queen Betrest, I present my wife, Princess Consort Taisiya.” Mereruka bowed.

“Greetings, Prince Mereruka, Princess Consort Taisiya. Have you come to join us in our discussion of the Ruby Sea canal project?”

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