Chapter 19 #2
“Indeed,” she said, coming to stand beside…
me. Not her son. Me. It was an effort to keep my mouth from dropping open.
“My son asks a very good question, one to which I have some answers. Shall I share them?” she asked in the Lord Hunter’s direction, but like her son, didn’t wait for a response.
“The crown has known for quite some time that the lords of Kardonan have lobbied the council for protective services—services witch-hunters are not supposed to offer, by your own charter. Lord Saraco Domner, Earl of Welmsley, for example. I believe that after the theft, he donated a hefty sum to the order, and in return, you pledged to guard his estate in Kardonan and hunt down Mokido. Or am I incorrect?”
The Lord Hunter’s mouth opened, but no sound emerged. He looked much like a fish brought out of the water at the docks, gasping for air.
“The crown has turned a blind eye to the order’s…
variance from tradition, let’s call it,” Queen Daro continued, as casual as if she were discussing what tea to have at a luncheon.
“Your order does essential and effective work, for the most part, and of course, my son is an esteemed member. However, I feel it is time to curtail this potential corruption before it becomes problematic, yes?”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty,” the Lord Hunter sputtered, ducking his head.
“Excellent,” the queen declared, smiling.
The expression reminded me of the almost predatory grin Kason wore when we clashed during his hunt of me.
“I hereby declare the seat of Lord Hunter vacated and will leave the order to vote in their new leader. Sir Bartony, I thank you for your duty. You are now retired, with a full pension for your service.”
The Lord Hunter—or simply Bartony now, I supposed—gaped at Queen Daro, but said nothing.
Probably smart. The queen had all but revealed corruption in the ranks of the order, and he was lucky to get off with just losing his job, in my opinion.
I watched, bemused, as a pair of the queen’s guards escorted Bartony out of the room.
He went willingly, his head drooping. Not the way he’d wanted to end his career, I’d bet.
Oh well. Boo-hoo for him.
“Now, on to the subject of Mokido’s punishment.”
At the queen’s words, I whipped my head back to look at her. She’d moved into the center of the room, in front of the Lord Hunter’s desk, and turned to face her audience.
“As you all are likely now aware, I was deathly ill until a few days ago. From my understanding, it was Mokido—my youngest son’s husband—who determined what ailed me and hunted down the cure.
Then, despite being falsely accused of Kason’s murder and imprisoned, Mokido escaped so he could use the cure to save my life.
” Queen Daro’s gaze settled on me, feeling like a weight pressing down on my shoulders.
I wasn’t sure if it was a comforting weight or not.
“I will also point out that Mokido is claimed by Rhianough the Unwavering, if you do not know what the marks on his neck mean. The Unwavering is not one to suffer fools, and Mokido has proven again and again that he is no fool.”
I like her , Rhianough said.
Me? I didn’t know what to think. I liked her words well enough, but still. This was the queen. More importantly, she was Kason’s mother. I didn’t know what to do with parents.
“In recognition of his deeds for the crown, I hereby pardon Mokido Azenas of his crimes,” Queen Daro said.
Then, as though she hadn’t just blown my world apart in the best way, she continued, “Moreover, I bestow upon him the title of Viscount of Eaveton, so hopefully he will not ever feel the need to rob anyone to survive ever again.” The last was said with a…
smile? Was the Queen of Woshos making something of a joke?
Wait. “I’m a viscount?”
Kason nodded, grinning. “You are indeed, Lord Mokido.”
“What?” I heard the words—both Queen Daro’s and Kason’s—but were they speaking the common tongue?
“You outrank me now, in fact,” Kason went on.
“I…? What?” That truly didn’t make any sense. “But you’re a prince!”
He shook his head. “I’m not, actually. I gave up my title to join the Order of Witch-Hunters, as well as any claim to the throne.
It wasn’t my calling, and thankfully, my parents understood.
” At that, he approached his mother, grabbed her hand, and sank down on one knee before kissing her knuckles. “Thank you, Mother.”
“Of course, my love. Now, two things. One, I expect you both at dinner this evening so I can get to know Mokido beyond what Dr. Orella has shared with me. And two, although I imagine you’ll be at Eaveton for a time each year with your husband, I do expect more regular visits now that you’ve acquired the witch who caught your eye, hm? ”
Spots of color appeared on Kason’s cheeks. “Yes, Mother.”
“Good.” She tugged Kason to his feet and pulled him into a hug.
Then, after kissing his cheek, she walked over to me and reached out to take one of my limp hands.
“Mokido, I look forward to speaking with you more. You are a welcome addition to our family, and I owe you more thanks than I can possibly say for what you did for me.”
“I— You—” What were words?
She giggled. Giggled . And kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you this evening then.”
She left the room much as she’d entered it, like a royal whirlwind reshaping the world as she saw fit. I barely registered the uptick in murmurs around me as the witch-hunters began discussing all that had transpired.
She’d made me—a half-sprite witch-thief—nobility. I was a lord. A viscount .
“What is happening?” I whispered to no one in particular.
Kason, who had returned to my side, wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into him. “Good things, Mo. Only good things from here on.”