Cassarah
Clean, dressed, and ready for the day, I showed no signs of how eventful my morning had been so far.
The only thing I couldn’t hide was my smile as I replayed the words my consorts whispered in my ear.
I’ll admit I didn’t know how I felt about having children—after my childhood, I never wanted that to happen to my babies.
It was safer to abstain from having any than to risk the chance they could be used like my mother had planned.
However, with how much my life has changed, most of the issues I had in becoming a mother no longer applied.
I had eight amazing men who would protect our children and me with their lives.
Never would they allow them to be used as a bartering tool in political issues, and they would love them unconditionally as they do me.
Any child I had would be so blessed to be brought into this family.
Seeing the doors to the sitting room on the third floor where we were meeting for breakfast, I set those thoughts aside.
Even if I decided to change my mind and work toward having a family, it wouldn’t be until this whole matter with the Lost King was finished.
If there were one thing I’d refuse to do, it’s have a child in the middle of a war.
The guards stationed outside the door opened them as they saw us approaching, allowing us to easily enter.
There were some things about being queen that would take some getting used to.
While I understood their role, and it showed me the respect I deserved, there might be some things we’d have to adjust later when we didn’t have guests.
King Thomas and Queen Catharine were seated on one of the loveseats while Princess Ameila and Prince Charles sat on the other.
While I wasn’t sure I wanted the children here for part of this, I hadn’t wanted to cause the queen to have any suspicions.
Seeing us enter the room, they rose to their feet, and we all greeted each other.
“I hope you enjoyed yourselves last night,” I commented as we wandered over to the table set up for breakfast. “The village worked incredibly hard to make it a night to remember.”
“Yes, I’m sure they did, but one can only expect so much from such a humble village. We will have to invite you to our winter ball, then you can see what a real party experience is like,” Queen Catharine quipped, taking her seat.
Pursing my lips to hold back my defense of my people, I took a sip of my kavat, swallowing the remark. “That would be lovely. I hear Creisal’s palace is quite a sight to see. My consort, Paxton, as you might know, spent quite some time in your fine kingdom.”
“Did he now?” King Thomas answered, cutting off his wife. “May I ask what called to you from our kingdom that you left your own for a time?”
Pax looked at me with a questioning eyebrow as if he was unsure if he should be honest. I nodded, having already decided to be transparent when I brought the subject up.
Pax just shrugged and turned to face the king.
“Well, your Majesty, I was one of your spies. In fact, I was one of the few who had a dragon to work with, gathering information in other kingdoms for you.”
King Thomas’ eyes grew wide as he turned to look at me. “You knew this and still made him one of your consorts?”
“Of course, he proves himself in many ways to me. Not only can he supply me with information about other kingdoms, but if I should need to build my own network of spies, he understands how other kingdoms use theirs,” I answered, waving off his concern.
“My consort, Jade, is an assassin. He used to be hired out often with his specialized skills. Truthfully, all of my consorts are each a master in one area or another that lends aid to me. It’s almost as if the fates knew I would be fighting this war.”
While I’m sure Cole and Izel were about to strangle me for sharing this much information, I wanted to see how the queen would react.
If she were under the influence of the Lost King, she would want to pull whatever information like this out of me she could.
I’d given her a taste, not sharing anything that would put us at a disadvantage but enough to draw her out.
“Do you think it’s wise to have such dangerous men so close to you?” King Thomas asked, still reeling from the shock.
Queen Catharine sniffed. “Darling, don’t be such a dolt…
that woman is brilliant to keep them close.
Somehow, she’s managed to manipulate these men with her body into believing they mean something to her.
I applaud you, Your Highness. Truly, your foresight to trap these men to your will as you have is the stuff of legends.
Pray tell, what is the skill the blind one provides for you?
Obviously, you wouldn’t keep around dead weight, so it must be something truly extraordinary.
Or is he the one who you picked for the sole purpose of being in your bed? ”
Zan shot out of his chair, Ezzu hissing at the queen from his shoulder. I raised my hand, stopping him from moving from his spot. This is exactly what kind of reaction I wanted from her. Now, I just needed to see how much pull the Lost King had on her to fulfill his wishes.
“Now, Your Majesty, you know that a lady never reveals the secrets of her bedchamber. All I will say in the matter is my men can perform well in all areas I have need of them,” I shared before turning to Zan. “Please be seated, my love. This is nothing more than two queens comparing notes.”
Zan frowned, clearly unhappy with my request, but he trusted me enough to do as I asked. When I took a moment to glance at all my men, I could tell none of them understood where I was going with this. If they could hold on and trust me a little longer, they would catch on.
“What about you? I’m sure you also have your chosen favorites in the castle who provide more than one service?
” I challenged, meeting her gaze. “We queens always have to be a few steps ahead of the men around us, don’t you agree?
Sometimes, they just don’t see what truly needs to be done or handled a certain way.
One might even say they’re too soft or rigid in their thinking. ”
“My, my. I’m not sure we’re good enough friends for me to admit something like that in such company,” Queen Catharine answered, glancing at her children.
I flashed her a smile and turned to the children. “Charles, Amelia, would you like to explore the castle? I’m sure sitting here with us is rather boring, don’t you think?”
Their faces lit up at the suggestion. “Could we, Mother?” Charles asked.
“Charles, we can’t have you wandering around the castle on your own. What if you get lost?” she argued.
“Not a problem.” Turning, I signaled Becka, who approached. “Would you please send for Helena? She’ll make sure to look after them as they explore, and if anything were to happen, she is quite skilled in defense,” I informed the queen.
“All right then, I expect you both to behave as is fitting for your station,” Catharine warned, giving them a stern look.
If she were under the influence of the Lost King, I was pleased to see it didn’t seem to be affecting how she was with her children.
As they left, the table fell silent as we enjoyed the food placed before us, but I could feel an energy simmering in the air.
Almost as if by the queen not pressing me for information, the influence on her was growing stronger.
Could it be that she was resisting it in her own way? I had no doubt that even if I freed her from his hold, she would not suddenly become my biggest fan. After being told about what happened to her sister, it was clear her prejudice was from her own heart.
“Seems your plan worked,” Queen Catharine commented, breaking the silence. “The children are gone so we are free to speak plainly with each other. After all, we are allies and should be open and honest with each other about the resources we have to share between our kingdoms.”
I looked at her over the rim of my mug, contemplating how I wanted to approach this. “Yes, that does sound logical, doesn’t it? But I have a question I’d like you to answer before I divulge my secrets,” I commented, setting down my drink.
This seemed to catch her off guard. “What could you possibly have to ask me?”
Leaning forward, I held her gaze, reaching out with my magic and letting it grip her. “How long has the Lost King been using you?”
Anger flashed across her face before it turned into outrage. “You dare to accuse me of being a traitor and working for the Lost King?”
“I’m not accusing because I know you are.
What was the purpose in sending all those supplies to Utros?
There was no cry for help to any other kingdom, but why would they when there is a steady stream of goods being supplied by you?
While I’d planned to lure the Lost King’s dragon here, the way we were attacked and its central focus on me didn’t make sense.
Then, when the accusation came that you might be under his influence, all the dots started to connect.
” I rose from my seat and began to walk the long way around the table, keeping my eyes on her.
“His dragon needed a lure to tell him where to strike. He didn’t destroy the village because the mastermind needed his informant to gather as much information as they could while they visited.
Oh, and let’s not forget the fact you wanted to smuggle Queen Mary out of here.
If the Lost King had her, he’d also control the queen dragon who can give birth to more dragons for him to use.
I’m sure I’ve missed things, but that’s what I can think of off the top of my head. ”