29. TWENTY-NINE
TWENTY-NINE
Darius
Mina’s eyes flash with outrage. She studies the board and all its potential outcomes. There’s no move she can make in which I will not win, on or off the board.
“It would seem you made the mistake of underestimating me this time.”
Her mouth parts for a moment, then snaps shut as someone knocks on the door. She schools her features, but not before shooting me a glare that insists this conversation is far from over.
I enjoy our bickering, and the unwelcome interruption makes me want to drive my sword through the door and claim my five minutes.
Unfortunately, we don’t have five minutes, and I want to leave extra time in case Mina changes her mind about me touching her. Her attraction mirrors my own, yet she’s determined to let us both suffer.
A wiser man would have used the bet to gather more intelligence about Kalisham. The more information I have, the better prepared for war we’ll be.
But watching Mina strategize is fucking enchanting. Her soft lips curl into a cocky smile, nails clicking against a fallen piece as she works through the next move. I’ve never seen her so relaxed. Almost playful.
The idea of kissing her again won without a second thought.
Even if I had lost, it wouldn’t have been so bad. Mina could’ve used her counterbet for literally anything, yet her desire to know more about me won.
I should be suspicious that she wants information about my personal life, but the moment we shared in the bath eases my worries. Her anger for me was sincere. As much as she tries to pretend otherwise, a part of her cares.
The thought summons a strange feeling in my chest, warm and bright and far more dangerous than lust.
The voice on the other side of the door belongs to Lady Victoria. Mina is all too quick to step out into the hall to speak with her.
I tuck in my shirt and grab my jacket. Once presentable, I pull open the door and greet everyone.
“Your Majesty,” Ladies Kailani and Victoria say in unison before their attention returns to Mina. Excitement and nerves fill the small hallway.
They wait patiently as Mina flips through the summary they prepared. Using the close quarters as an excuse, I stand at her back, a shadow, as she reads each page with lightning speed.
She only pauses to ask a few clarifying questions, and as I read over her shoulder, I understand Mina’s confidence in them. The report is concise, detailed, and insightful. As meticulous as anything Staefan prepares.
“Well?” Mina asks, glancing up at me. I’m still leaning down to read, and our lips are so close I can taste the little inhale she tries to hide. The sound goes straight to my cock.
I clear my throat and nod. “We’re ready for the meeting.”
I agreed not to intercede on Mina’s behalf, but I can’t resist mitigating certain issues. When I call the meeting to order, I insist on hearing the assessor’s results first. That way they won’t be tempted to change their data based on what they learn from Mina’s presentation.
Lord Duponte’s pinched smile confirms that was his plan all along.
The information gathered matches Mina’s census results, but it lacks depth.
The smug assessor continues, “The greatest damage was to individual homes and businesses. We should focus on rebuilding those spaces first, then finish the communal spaces last. They also need work but will take less effort. We can avoid paying too much by allowing the citizens to take over the reconstruction after we leave.”
“A wonderful idea. They’ll have a sense of accomplishment and revitalize their small economy,” Lord Duponte proclaims.
I keep my reactions carefully bored. I’m determined to remain neutral until both findings are presented to the group, despite the winner being obvious.
“The next proposal.” I nod for Mina’s team to begin.
Mina nods at the men around the table. “Thank you for your assessment. The data we collected from the citizens matches fairly well with your results.” She reads off the number of homes and businesses damaged by sector and the estimated cost of materials and shipping timelines.
“The marketplace received a great deal of damage, but it was all superficial for the most part. The biggest challenge is recovering any items the raiders stole and returning them to the proper sellers.”
“The business owners will simply need to submit their ledgers. Property disputes are the least of our worries. We need to focus on a construction schedule and appointing a new mayor. He can handle those disputes once the town is settled,” Lord Duponte counters.
Mina smiles. “Lady Kailani has already started the dispute court, as I’m sure you are aware, and discovered many ledgers were lost or destroyed in the raids.
Restoring property might be the least of your worries, but ninety-three percent of citizens agreed it was their main concern.
Over seventy percent preferred the common spaces be restored first. The market, stables, and the taverns were the most mentioned. ”
Lord Duponte scoffs. “Any taverns should be built last. It will only encourage people to drink and laze the day away instead of contributing.”
“Are you so far removed from your own citizens that you’ve forgotten a beverage at the end of a long day’s work is worth quite a bit? To them, it’s a reward and incentive to work harder. At the very least, it’s a place where they can relax and put the horrors of the past week behind them.”
I’m proud of her counterargument; she knows our citizens well already. Letting her lead the restoration was the right call.
“I wasn’t aware someone of your position was so versed in hard labor,” Lord Duponte says, covering his foul words with a hearty laugh. “Or perhaps you only understand the lure of a drink at the end of the day.”
Protective rage rolls through my chest. How dare he speak to Mina that way. His queen. My hand tightens on the hilt of my sword, where it’s rested as a reminder throughout the meeting. These men need a refresher in the consequences of disrespect.
Mina’s hand finds my knee under the table and gives it a warning squeeze. We sit close enough that the movement goes unnoticed. Trust me, she says with another squeeze.
Her posture is relaxed and unbothered, but her voice holds the edge of a blade to Lord Duponte’s throat.
“I am no stranger to hard work and, regardless of personal experience, I speak for each person in this town. They entrusted me with their opinions today, and as their queen, I will ensure their voices are heard.”
She smiles sweetly at the men around the room. “If anyone else can make such a claim, I will be happy to hear their thoughts on the matter.”
No one speaks. No one can. Her assessment is more accurate than theirs and completely irrefutable. The chess player I met earlier moves as freely in real life as her queen on the board.
“You represent their voices? I doubt anyone from this town came up with the tonic you plan to offer at the clinic tomorrow. Luckily, I put a stop to something so dangerous to expecting mothers.” Lord Duponte’s smile is distilled with venom.
I watch as Mina’s posture sharpens; her easy confidence transitions to a quiet rage. “What do you mean you stopped it? What right do you have to decide what happens to a woman’s body?”
“I have every right to look after the safety of our future citizens. Those tonics are for preventing pregnancy before the act, and taking one once pregnant could endanger the baby.”
Mina bares her teeth in a polite smile. “If the safety of citizens is truly your concern, then you would let those citizens decide for themselves. In some cases, giving birth is more dangerous.”
Mina has a point, but Lord Duponte is correct in this case. “Taking the tonic after conception is illegal and dangerous for the mother as well. We’ve studied the mortality rates,” I explain.
The thinly veiled betrayal in Mina’s wide eyes is like a slap to the face. “In Kalisham we have safe ways to keep the mother healthy during and after such procedures.”
Lord Duponte scoffs. “This isn’t Kalisham.”
“Clearly,” Mina bites back, losing her cool confidence finally. “We should explain the risks to each woman and let them decide for themselves.”
It’s my turn to squeeze her thigh under the table. She returns her glare to me, and I swallow the foreign heaviness in my throat. Apparently, the idea of disappointing her bothers me. A lot.
“We won’t offer the tonic, but we will provide assistance for each victim.
” Before she can argue, I squeeze her thigh again and steel my voice.
“When we return to Kalisham, I’ll assign doctors to check out and verify these procedures you mentioned.
Until a skilled doctor can help these women safely, I won’t risk their lives or the lives of their future children. ”
I want to cut off Lord Duponte’s smirk but keep my focus on Mina as she processes my ruling. She glances at Victoria and Kailani, silently asking for their support. “What are your thoughts?”
They exchange a tense glance. Kailani clears her throat, returning her attention to Mina. “After such a traumatic week, I don’t know if I’d be in the right headspace to make such an important decision. Even if you explain the risks. Perhaps waiting to offer such an option is best.”
Victoria nods, placing her hand over Kailani’s. “We should offer counseling first. If anyone wants the option after that, we could always take them to Kalisham.” She smiles at Mina. “You could send a letter along to explain the circumstances of their visit.”
That’s not an option. But no one in this room can know that.
Mina nods, steeling herself as she turns back to me. “Making sure these women feel safe now is the priority. That no matter what happens, they have our support long past this trauma. We’ll provide counseling, financial care, childcare, and job opportunities for each of them.”
She hides it perfectly, but I can sense the torment under her calm words. The knowledge that her home isn’t an option right now.
I nod, adding, “And for any of the women unable to keep their children, we’ll help them find another family. There are plenty of people who want children but can’t have them.” My throat tightens as I work to keep my voice informative.
I’ve seen how hard it is for the people I love to try and fail to start a family. They aren’t the only ones out there willing to take in someone else’s child.
Mina’s gaze sharpens with determination. “When we return home and you find that the procedures are safe, I will send doctors to every corner of Veloria to teach them.”
“Until then, we’ll do what we can. Starting with the reconstruction project.” I redirect the conversation back to its origin.
“I understand,” she says after a whole minute of silence. “Lady Victoria, would you please walk everyone through your plan for the reconstruction project?”
“Of course, Queen Mina. Thank you.”
In the end, Mina and her ladies come up with an excellent compromise to appease the council.
They agreed to fix the residential areas leading to the market and largest tavern, creating an open lane for materials and equipment.
The progress will radiate from the line outward until each area is complete.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their diligent work today.” I address the room but direct most of my praise toward Mina’s team.
Elena is noticeably absent, and I can’t resist the chance to point that out to my esteemed council. They’ve yet to bring me her complaints, but I’ll give them an answer regardless.
I nod to Kailani and Victoria. “The fact you witnessed something so horrible yet remained composed enough to develop such a brilliant plan fills me with pride. You’re both assets to Veloria, and I won’t forget that.”
“Thank you,” they say.
I stand and place my hand on Mina’s shoulder.
“I had hoped to introduce Veloria’s queen under happier circumstances, but I’m glad that the people of Brastrova are witnessing the kind of ruler she is firsthand.
Intelligent and thoughtful. As brave as any of our soldiers. There’s no one more fit for the role.”
Mina smiles up at me, but it lacks its usual warmth. Perhaps I’m laying it on a little thick, but I want even the most ignorant among my council to understand my meaning. They echo my praise hollowly.
“I think we’ve all earned some rest. We’ll reconvene tomorrow.”
Despite the preferable outcome, Lord Duponte and Baueman huff out of the room. They’re upset I didn’t step in and back their plans, but I had no intention of doing so. Mina’s plan is far superior, and she left no room for argument.
A clean and quick checkmate.
The only matter left to settle is that of picking the mayor, but I table the discussion for tomorrow. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail, my own included.
Lord Duponte is on thin ice with his comments today. Mina may be merciful enough to grant him his life after such disrespect, but that doesn’t mean I can’t find other ways to encourage his cooperation.
Lord Baueman wasn’t overjoyed about Mina’s success, but he at least knew how to keep his mouth shut.
Mina is silent during the short walk back to my temporary office and immediately dismisses Jaime when we arrive. I tense, waiting for the storm I know is coming. Mina turns on me, her long legs eating up the distance between us until she’s right in my face.
Unshed tears line her lashes, but not in weakness. They are kindling for the anger burning in her eyes.
I brace for the sharp sting as her hand connects with my face.