Page 118 of What Fury Brings
Olerra was losing.
She sat opposite the queen, at least two chairs between her and everyone else at the table. This was apparently to be a trial of sorts.
Enadra spoke first. “Princess Olerra, some nasty allegations have been hurtled your way. We need to hear your side of things.”
“Of course, General.”
Enadra may no longer hold the position, but the honorific remained.
Glen started to open her mouth, and Olerra refused to be questioned by her cousin, so she spoke first.
“It is true that I don’t possess the Goddess’s Gift. It is true that I tried to hide that fact because I worried what everyone would think of me. It is also true that I earned my place as general by being the best of the best of the queen’s soldiers. I have won battles and killed many Brutes. I may not have the gift of strength over men, but I have Goddess Amarra’s favor all the same.”
Olerra hoped if she said those words enough, she’d start to believe them. Shehadearned her place as general, but it was hard to believe that she had the goddess’s favor. Did the goddess even know who she was if she hadn’t seen fit to bless her with her Gift?
But now was not the time to show uncertainty. Olerra needed to be strong in front of the women who would decide her future.
Enadra smiled at the response. “I agree wholeheartedly. I have trained Olerra myself, and no one has fought harder for the safety and peace of Amarran citizens. She is a good general and will bring us much success in the years to come.”
“Except,” Shaelwyn cut in, “that she’s brought war to our city. King Atalius will be here in two days’ time. What does the princess have to say to that?”
“If you wish to know something, Aunt, then you will address the question tome,” Olerra responded.
Shaelwyn met her eyes. “You carelessly took Atalius’s heir, and now he’s bringing us war. What do you intend to do about it?”
Olerra allowed a smile she didn’t feel grace her lips. “I did nothingcarelessly. I took Atalius’s heir to teach him a lesson after needlessly fighting us for Shamire again. I kept the prince’s identity a secret for his own safety. Now that someone has so kindly informed the king about my activities”—Olerra barely refrained from looking at Glenaerys—“I will, of course, trade him for the spare when Atalius arrives. It’s already been arranged. There will be no war. There will be no fighting. There will only be an exchange of princes.”
“Are you accusing someone of something?” Glenaerys asked.
“Of course not, cousin.” Olerra had no proof. Raising claims would only look like Olerra was the kind of woman to point fingers instead of accept responsibility for her actions.
And shehadmessed up. She took the wrong man, and now had to lie about it.
Cyssia said, “You claim that you took the heir on purpose to teach Atalius a lesson?”
“That’s right,” Olerra said at the same time Glenaerys scoffed.
“That’s beautiful,” Cyssia said. “You really are a delight, Olerra. It’s a shame that you haven’t any power. I would have liked to see you rule as queen.”
“A lack of power does not necessarily make her unfit for the throne,” the queen said.
“Nor does it endorse her,” Usstra said, speaking for the first time.
“There must be some punishment for lying to everyone,” Shaelwyn said. “I demand she be removed from all consideration for the succession.”
“I did not lie,” Olerra said. “No one asked. You all assumed. I was never untruthful. And I’ve clearly done a fine job without it, as I’ve pointed out. Glenaerys is no fighter. Period. She only strikes when her opponents have their hands tied. Yet everyone thinks her fit to be queen.”
The tension in the room grew. Olerra could feel it. Her cousin’soutrage. Shaelwyn’s eagerness to see Olerra stricken from the line of succession. The queen’s fear.
Usstra spoke again. “I move that the voting will continue as planned on the anniversary of the Goddess’s Gift. We should see how Olerra handles the upcoming ordeal with the king before we make any hasty decisions. This is history we’re talking about.”
“All those in favor?” the queen asked.
Everyone raised their hands except Shaelwyn.
“Then we will continue as planned.”
“She didn’t take the heir on purpose!” Glenaerys finally spat out. “I have witnesses who will attest to what happened when the truth came out.”
