CHAPTERTWELVE
Dancers spilled out into the town square. Evening painted the sky in shades of coral and aquamarine. I edged out onto the cobblestone streets for a breath of fresh air.
“That was a canny move,” Rya offered me a waxed paper cup of cider. “Dancing with the injured veterans, and then handing them off to the others.”
I curtsied. “Many years of training. Reassuring that I remember how to read a crowd.”
Rya smiled. We touched paper cups.
“You’ll make a good queen.”
Good or not, I have no choice in the matter.
“I hope so. Much depends upon my ability to steer us through the winter. No one will think much of my leadership if I let famine set in. Or a resurgent invasion.”
We wouldn’t win this time. Auralia’s fighting forces have been decimated for a generation. The world remains curious about us, but not one country has been willing to offer aid. Even now.
I realized my error too late.I, notwe.
“There won’t be a wedding announcement forthcoming, will there?” Rya’s gaze rested on the statuesque brunette who regarded me with such hostility earlier. Warmth leached out of me.
I sipped my cider before responding quietly, “No.”
“Does Lorcan know?”
“Yes.”
“Pity. He came so close to achieving his dream.” Rya contemplated the dancers. Jars with candles inside were strung between the main hall and the fountain in the center of the town square. “I shall tell Arya not to quit her job at the paper store, yet.”
“Who is she?” I asked abruptly, indicating the dark-haired woman. She’d come outside, hips swinging, and posed prettily beneath the string lights. It’s difficult to imagine her doing anything other than prettily.
“Masika.” Rya’s tone was neutral. “She was married to a shopkeeper here in town. A war widow, now. She and her in-laws run the general store. That’s her daughter playing in the fountain.”
A cluster of children have waded into the water, all splashes and giggles. One, with glossy dark hair like a seal’s fur, is unmistakably Masika’s offspring.
“She isn’t happy living with her husband’s family. Lorcan raised her hopes briefly when he first returned.”
Raised her hopes, and likely her skirts, too. Masika wouldn’t bolt if he kissed her in his kitchen, like I did. I hope they didn’t share the bed I’ve been sleeping in. The thought sent a shiver of repulsion down my spine.
“Masika and I have that in common.” I tipped the rest of my cider down my throat and crumpled the cup. Rya slanted me a thoughtful look. I decided it was time to change the subject.
“If you ever tire of Tenáho, I could use a competent Treasurer. Especially one who can work miracles.”
Rya chuckled. “The crown’s accounts are that depleted?”
“You have no idea.” I remembered myself and put one finger to my lips. “It’s a secret. I trust you not to let word get around.”
“Your trust is not easily earned. I’d be a fool to lose it over gossip. However, if we weren’t in dire straits, you wouldn’t have gone seeking a rich husband so quickly after your rescue.”
I can’t believe I’d nearly forgotten about Sohrab, Hallie, Cyrus and Humayun. It feels like a lifetime ago. “Right. Of course.”
Not much of a secret, after all.
“Your coronation ceremony will be a good source of revenue.”
“In what way?”
I’ve been fretting about the expense.
