Chapter 42
As she waited on her breakfast, Beatryce stood in the private garden area just beyond the terrace of her apartment and tipped her face toward the sun.
She’d awoken early this morning and gone to see Leda right away.
She’d talked with her grandmother about many things.
Anyka’s lack of improvement even as her bitterness seemed to increase.
The coming meeting with the Radiant queen.
Bea’s reluctance to marry Dren without her mother present.
The way forward for Malveaux. Ishmyel’s loyalty.
As expected, Leda had provided answers and advice for everything, during which the darkness had been quietly subdued. After Leda had finished, she’d insisted Bea practice her magic.
She had, and right before leaving the vault, she’d managed a small fireball that had only lasted a few seconds.
Still, Bea felt incredibly accomplished to have done that much. It had boosted her spirits considerably and instilled in her a new determination to master at least a portion of the dark arts. Enough to defend herself.
Or punish someone.
Leda had also reminded her that the fight against the Radiant queen was more than that. It was the fight for all of Malveaux. For the preservation of the crown. The good of the people. And, ultimately, the reunification of the two kingdoms under one rule.
The way it was always meant to be.
Bea drew in a breath as the breeze carried the perfume of lilies from the garden and the warmth of the sun’s rays spread across her body.
Her mother hated the sun, but Bea enjoyed the heat of it. After a lifetime without it, how could she not? And it was good she did. A queen who despised the sun would have a hard time ruling the kingdom of Summerton.
There would be no peace with the Radiant queen.
Even without her grandmother reminding her, Bea knew that.
In her heart of hearts, she’d always known that, just as her mother had.
Of course there would be no peace. Not without serious compromises on the part of Malveaux, and as far as Bea was concerned, they had compromised enough.
As Leda had made clear, they’d spent years in the gloom of the curse, suffering with limited crops, gray days, cold weather, and constant rain.
They were done compromising. The path forward was clear to her now.
Summerton must agree to the kingdoms reuniting as they had once been, and to Bea as the ruler of both. She was, after all, the only rightful monarch. A woman who’d come from the mortal world was completely unsuitable.
Pulling the royal sword from a stone was a magician’s parlor trick, not proof of royal legitimacy.
Surely, the citizens of Summerton must feel the same way. Those poor people. They would undoubtedly welcome Beatryce with open arms.
In reality, she was doing the entire realm a favor by—
Dren came bursting through the door. “My lady, I have news.”
She frowned at him. This ruckus was not like him at all. It must be something truly important. She raised her brows but said nothing.
He bowed, shaking his head as he straightened. “I am sorry to disturb you like this.”
“I’m sure you have good reason,” she said, taking a seat at the table. “What’s your news?”
He remained standing. “I’ve just received word from home. That is, Strongholde. The Radiant queen sent my father a treaty proposal. And…” He swallowed. “She warned him about our alliance with Malveaux.”
Anger that burned so hot it felt like ice sluiced through Beatryce’s veins. Darkness edged her vision. In a small, quiet voice, she said, “Say that again so I make no mistake in what I heard.”
He squared his shoulders. “Queen Sparrow has offered Strongholde a treaty agreement, while also warning my father about our alliance with Malveaux. It is exactly as you heard.”
Bea took a few breaths, thinking. The darkness swirled inside her, frantic with delight. “And your father’s response?”
Dren blinked. “He didn’t share that with me. I can only assume he told the Radiant queen that such things were not her business. That our alliance with the fae was a long-standing—”
“I leave soon to meet with the Radiant queen.” The darkness told her what must be done and she agreed. “You and I will be married before I go.”
For a moment, he was silent. Then he shook his head. “We’ve made no plans, set no date. My parents would never be able to arrive in time for—”
“It will be a private ceremony. The two of us, obviously. My councilor, my mother, her councilor, and my uncle. Is there anyone you wish to include as a guest or witness?”
He looked shocked but managed to answer. “My head of security. He can be my witness. Our law requires at least one.”
“Very good. Send word that the ceremony will be within the hour.”
“The hour?” He nodded. “Yes, of course.”
Two footmen came through the door. One had a tray with her breakfast, the other a smaller dish bearing a letter. As the first footmen set out her meal, the second presented the letter.
“Your highness.”
She picked it up and looked at the seal, the dragonfly instantly recognizable. “Sit,” she told Dren. “Have your breakfast brought here.”
He took a seat. “Thank you for the invitation, but I’ve already eaten.”
She pulled a dagger from the sheath at her waist and sliced the seal in two. “Tea, then?”
He nodded. “That would be fine.”
Bea wiggled her fingers at one of the footmen. “Bring another cup.” She skimmed the letter, still barely maintaining her control. The urge to attack the Radiant queen and her court simmered within her. Soon, the darkness whispered.
The letter contained the meeting place, along with a portal code, and a time. Tomorrow. Noon. There had also been a note saying the portal code would only work for a quarter of an hour, so not to delay coming through once it was opened.
Bea snorted. Queen Sparrow seemed eager for Bea to arrive. Did she think Bea was going to back out?
Not a chance of that happening. Not after Sparrow’s bold and disrespectful play for Strongholde. The trolls were Malveaux’s ally and always would be. Her marriage to Dren would ensure that, even if King Drath did something foolish. Although, he knew better than that. Or at least, he should.
She set the letter aside, suddenly rethinking her plan. She ate her porridge with cream and berries, waiting until Dren had been served his tea to speak.
As soon as the footman left them, she put her spoon down. “I’d like you to come with me tomorrow to meet the Radiant queen, but not as my husband. I’ve already told her who I was bringing. The only way for you to accompany me is as my bodyguard.”
He made a face, as if her request were a joke. Then he seemed to realize she was serious. “I see. Yes, I can do that.”
“Good.” She made short work of the rest of her porridge, then dismissed Dren so he could get ready for the ceremony. Which was what she needed to do as well.
She went inside, heading straight to her bathing pool, where she disrobed and sank into the deliciously hot water. Lysette brought her fresh towels while Sylvia kneeled at the edge and washed Bea’s hair.
“What gown would you like today, my lady?” Lysette asked.
“That white silk with the silver trim and feather cuffs.”
Lysette nodded. “I’ll see to it. Also, Councilor Merylynn has arrived and is waiting for you in the sitting room.”
“Good.” Bea closed her eyes as Sylvia rinsed her hair. That gown was bridal enough for the private ceremony.
It took longer than she’d liked to get ready, so by the time she and Merylynn entered her mother’s chambers, Bea was in no mood for argument. She spoke to Wyett as soon as she saw him. “Where’s my mother?”
“In her bathing pool, your highness.”
“She needs to get out and get dressed. Ishmyel is on his way, as is Dren and his chief of security. When everyone is assembled, you will marry us. You’re authorized to perform such a ceremony, aren’t you?”
His brows rose. “I am.”
“I want it done before another second passes. I meet with the Radiant queen tomorrow.” At the questioning look on his face, she immediately shook her head.
“Tell no one. I will explain everything when I return victorious. But before I go, I want this marriage sealed. Sparrow offered a treaty to the trolls and warned them about their alliance with us.”
Wyett frowned. “I should be surprised, but I am not.”
She snorted. “The nerve of that woman. My mother has been right about her all along. Now do whatever you need to do. I’ll see to my mother. Is her maid about?”
“I’ll fetch her,” Wyett said.
Bea strode into her mother’s bathing room. Anyka was neck-deep in the water, sitting on the steps. She looked half asleep.
“Mother, I need you to get out and get dressed.”
Anyka looked up at her. “Why?”
“Because Dren and I are getting married in a civil service in your sitting room in a matter of minutes. Now. Please.”
Anyka’s gaze dropped to Beatryce’s belly. “Already working on an heir, are you?”
“No.” Bea stepped closer, her patience thinner than it had ever been.
Her mother’s maid came in, a robe over one arm.
Bea paid her no attention. “The Radiant queen is attempting to end our troll alliance, and I am trying to secure it.” She thrust her hand out and called up another of the tiny fireballs she’d produced earlier, letting it hover over her palm for a moment, which was all it would have lasted anyway.
Anyka’s eyes widened.
Bea closed her hand as she drew it back by her side. “Now, get out and get dressed or I will boil that water. I am your queen and I am weary of how often you seem to ignore that.”
She strode back to the sitting room. Ishmyel, Dren, and his chief of security were all assembled. She smiled at them. “We need only for my mother to join us.”
That took long enough that Bea was about to have Wyett perform the ceremony without Anyka, but then she appeared, pushed into the room in her wheeled chair by her maid. Anyka’s hair was damp but braided, her gown some simple, shapeless shift of beaded gray silk.
Bea nodded at Wyett. Leda had told her to take a firm hand with Anyka, and it had worked.
Bea smiled, eagerly awaiting her meeting with the Radiant queen, when she would put more of her grandmother’s advice to the test.