Page 125 of Prize for the King
“Of course. You don’t need to ask.”
They all sit. Magnar pulls the heavy chair back for me, and I take my place at his right hand. He’s the last to sit, signifying the official start of the meeting.
The elderly Minister of Agriculture clears his throat and welcomes both Magnar and me in a droning voice. My knees shake a little, because what I’m going to do goes against the very core of my upbringing. A man is speaking, a man older than me, and I’ve been punished quite harshly for interrupting in the past when I was still a lively child and intensely curious. I’d cut in to ask a barrage of questions, which got me locked up in the cellar.
So I learned never to interrupt, especially men.
Idrina says I must practice being naughty.“You keep showing deference like this, and everyone will walk all over you. Unlearn whatever they taught you in that pathetic human court. Push boundaries and see what happens.”
I stand up, hiding my clenched fists in the wide, brocade skirts of my dress, and Magnar grips the back of my chair, pulling it back to give me room. The minister stops his address, blinking at me with mild reproach. It’s a look I know well, and I thwart my urge to apologize.
“Thank you, Minister. Both me and my husband have little time, so from now on, we’ll dispense with the lengthy introductions. Let’s move on to the most important part of our meeting.”
The Minister of Agriculture opens his mouth, staring at me with mild disbelief. For a few seconds, no one reacts.
“With all due respect,” Ronan breaks the silence, looking quite offended. “But Your Majesty has taken part in two meetings and has little experience with the matters of this council. We practice certain manners and traditions that have been upheld by generations ofAgnidarirulers.”
He puts a heavy accent on the name of his race, reminding me I’m human and should know my place. I swallow thickly, uncertainty rising. I know I am new here. It’s presumptuous of me to make changes so early, or at all.
The silence stretches, and I half expect Magnar to step in, but he doesn’t move or speak. Ronan’s lips stretch in an insincere smile. He thinks he’s won.
But I am the queen, and he’s only my minister. If I let this slide now, they’ll dismiss me as weak.
I am not weak.
“I’d like to see your book, Minister Ronan,” I say softly, looking right into his arrogant eyes gleaming blue.
And I can’t help but think,“You’ll be the scapegoat.”
His face falls, and he pulls back, blinking heavily. I’ve surprised him, but not for long.
“My book, Your Majesty? Why would you need it? You can’t read a word of our language—with all due respect.”
“You seem to like yourduerespect, Minister,” I say, speaking over the faint growl coming from Magnar’s throat. He’s angry but doesn’t interrupt. “Please, tell me, what’s theduecourse of action when your queen asks for your book?”
Deafening silence fills the room, all ministers watching me with a new air of wary alertness. Ronan grimaces, evidently not wanting to answer my question. Oh, he hates serving under a human queen.
“If you fail to bring me your book within five minutes,” I say when he won’t speak, “you will be charged with negligence.”
XXXVIII Laruna
“You can’t!” Ronan rises and turns to Magnar. “My king, do you hear the way she speaks to me? I am a loyal servant to the crown, I am! I will not be disrespected after years of service!”
Magnar smiles faintly and reaches over to a tray with supplies for the meeting. There is a selection of ornate, gold hourglasses, and he picks the smallest one. He settles it on the table in front of him with a gentle clink. The sand trickles into the empty chamber.
“You heard your queen,” he says, still with that small, eerie smile. “Five minutes.”
Ronan stares at Magnar with disbelief, but my husband raps on the table next to the hourglass, and the minister springs to action. He exits the council room at a near run, muttering under his breath.
“She can’t read it, anyway.”
I smile and turn to the other ministers, who sit in watchful silence. “You, too. I want everyone’s book on this table by the time the hourglass empties.”
A few open their mouths to protest, but others get up at once and run out of the room. I note everyone’s reactions, knowing I won’t punish those who obeyed my order instantly. They won’t be a problem.
Those who shuffle their feet and throw me nasty looks, oh, thoseI’ll watch closely. Idrina said I can’t replace thirteen ministers at once, and she was right, but two or three shouldn’t be a problem. She’ll have some candidates lined up for me, and I’ll take my pick.
When the room empties, Magnar pulls me closer until I stand between his spread legs.
