Chapter 22
Vastion
There she was. My firebird. Anger emanating off her in an uncontrollable display of passion.
These moments were perhaps my favorite to witness, and yet I’d only been lucky enough to see them a handful of times.
Though her words were aimed at me, there was some indication that her sentiment reached beyond.
Beyond me. Beyond the Heart. This side of her intrigued me most. I didn’t want my wife to be someone who submitted like all my other subjects.
Could I ever put my heart at risk again, knowing the hands that would hold it may also deceive it?
How could I love earnestly when her true feelings were masked by duty—or more chillingly, by fear?
These moments were different than her manicured responses through gritted teeth and placating smiles.
They were different from the times she’d hidden her spite behind flirtation.
This was the real Esiree, clawing and fighting to be free of the confines of her position, and it warmed my chest to witness its rare appearance.
“You’re right. You are capable of more. Let’s hope that tea has given you a second wind. Tonight, you’ll join me.”
Anger receded quickly from Es’ expression, replaced with confusion. “…What?”
“Come, put on some clothes. I have no desire to share your current state of dress with anyone else.”
Despite her outward disapproval, she did as I requested, arriving from her boudoir with a long-sleeved velvet night coat wrapped tightly around her waist.
I ushered her towards the door, and all the while, she surveyed me with skepticism. Once in the hallway she followed me, but her pestering questions began immediately.
“Where are we going? It’s extremely late.”
“Perhaps, late to you,” I said, leading us toward the section of the Royal Hall that intercepted the paths back, like veins leading to the Heart. “Since you’re now privy to our greatest secrets and most important endeavors, we shall see what use we can make of you.”
“You trust me?” she questioned, still following me closely.
“I do, the others won’t. But this is my Council.”
Esiree did not press me further, likely distracted by the direction I’d led us since she’d not toured this private area of the city.
Of course, that may not have stopped her from sneaking off to explore it previously without an escort.
I guided us across a narrow stone bridge.
The absence of parapets on either side meant plunging into darkness on both sides.
Her heart began to pound rapidly when she realized the heights from which she could fall, making it a point to keep her steps centered along the walkway.
The glass-domed ceiling of the atrium brought the night sky into view, black as pitch except for the dull glow from the sickle-shaped moon.
At the center of the room was one of my most treasured features of the Heart.
I hoped when she saw it that it would enrapture her the way it had me when I first gazed upon its magical glow.
Her heartbeat switched from a cadence indicative of fear into a fluttering more likened to excitement; I couldn’t help but be delighted to share this with her. So few got to witness it, since it was where the Privy Council convened. Not Kesna, Lailanor, Adria, nor any others.
“How?” she whispered in disbelief, admiring its distinct red glow in the darkness. All along the bare, leafless tree, shimmers of sparkling red light glimmered with a dim crimson hue.
“Someone like Tyber would tell you ‘the perfect conditions.’ But I don’t find that notion very romantic. And there’s just something ominously romantic about it, don’t you think?”
“Something ominous, indeed,” she said, circling it, her eyes wide, indicating awe as she took in its unique details.
Seeing Esiree calm—distracted with disbelief, mesmerized by the tree’s aura—pleased me.
It felt good to be able to show her something like this.
I’d often come to witness its brilliance in solitude when the Council wasn’t in session.
Just as I stepped closer to Es’ side to take in the view together, I was greeted by the clacking of Mina’s heels across the stone floor followed by her scathing acknowledgment.
“What is she doing here?”
It sounded more like an accusation than a question. I sighed, knowing that out of all my Council’s representatives, my sister was going to be the most displeased with Esiree’s presence.
“Mina—”
“—Did you bring her here for us to finally dispose of her?” she interrupted.
A frustrated growl rumbled from my chest. “Touch her and I will dispose of you.” I had never made a viable threat like that toward my sister, but I was feeling out of sorts after the day. And now, with the risk of bringing Esiree here, I didn’t need Mina adding to my strife.
She was clearly shocked and rephrased her question in an attempt to temper her volatility.
“I only meant to say, isn’t it well past your wife’s bedtime?”
She had gone from life-threatening to condescending in no time, and I knew that would irk Esiree, so I moved to place my body between the two of them as Es stepped forward to retaliate.
“I will not allow fighting within my Council.”
Orin strode around the corner looking increasingly irritated with me, brow set in a firm furrow.
“So, the queen is now a member of the Privy Council? My, how you’ve strayed, my friend.”
His assessment dripped with disapproval.
“Strayed is one way to put it. I’d say whipped, except for the fact that I know she hasn’t consummated the marriage.” Mina scoffed at my expense.
“Who did you have to fuck to get here?” Es quipped, and I could sense the violence about to ensue.
“Silence!” I snarled. “The queen is aware of the Parcaetes—we have nothing left to hide. She sits on the Council and that is my final word on the matter.”
Mina and Orin’s disappointment was palpable, but they ceased argument and began to make their way back to the Council’s table for us to convene. I pointed Esiree in the same direction, indicating she was to join us. Her features were set in a rigid line, and I could tell she was on edge.
There was not nearly enough distance ahead of us for their remarks to go unheard.
Mina snickered to Orin, “Well past her bedtime, indeed, already in her nightdress!” My best friend squeezed Mina’s elbow, tugging her to his side of the table to keep the ladies at a distance, for which I was grateful.
Master Tyber was already seated, waiting patiently at the table like usual.
My most punctual and respectful council member.
If only my sister and commander still had that kind of decorum toward me.
But here, away from the watchful eyes of my citizens, they were more casual and candid than ever.
Something I usually welcomed, but not after their mistreatment of my wife.
“My Queen,” Tyber offered, dipping his head when he saw her take a seat next to me, “I’m most pleased to see you again.”
“Again,” Orin said gravelly, eyeing me.
“Yes.” I nodded. “As I said, the queen is now familiar with Tyber’s endeavors. I have nothing to hide, and for that reason she is welcome here.”
“For what purpose? Is she our new scribe?” Mina snorted.
Gods help me, if she weren’t kin…
I placed my hand briefly atop Esiree’s on the armrest, “Ignore her. I always do.” Her unease settled slightly as I removed my hand and offered her an apologetic smile.
“I hereby convene the Privy Council,” Tyber announced, relishing his authority.
A strange feeling welled inside of me. Two humans sitting council.
There had only ever been one. Through the centuries, Parcaete Masters came and went.
Their presence always welcome, their value always clear.
But the Council had never consisted of both a king and queen.
At least, not since I formed my own, and I’m fairly certain my father never welcomed my mother into these types of affairs.
But I didn’t mind it; in fact, I quite liked the idea now that my hand had been seemingly forced.
I saw no reason to exclude her. Not after everything she knew.
And if she insisted that she could do more, then I’d let her.
And maybe, just maybe, I’d get to know her in the process.
“Mina, what of our reserves and Vassals?” Tyber inquired.
Es tilted her head in the direction of my sister, seemingly intent to listen and take her undefined role seriously.
Mina perused the scroll in front of her where she kept meticulous logs of our donations coming in to be settled, the overall state of the reservoir, and our rations going out to sentries stationed in the territories.
My sister had always been gifted with numbers, impressive even to me who frequently suffered from a strange affliction that often led me to scribe numbers incorrectly.
Often out of order, even from a very young age.
There was seemingly no cure for this, and I was glad to leave duties of the sort to her.
“Rations in the Heart have been maintained without much defiance,” she paused. “Though recent extra portions at a certain dinner party were not helpful to our cause,” she said spitefully, glancing in Es’ direction.
I pursed my lips, praying she would just continue with her report.
“Vassal donations are arriving as expected, but the reservoir continues a steady decline as our daily needs and shipments to the Watch keep us in a deficit.”
“Why are the donations not enough?” Esiree inquired, showing genuine interest, and I gave Mina a look that said entertain her question or else.
Orin interjected, “An increase in attacks from the Forlorn mean loss of life, including Vassals. Less coming in, yet still our consumption persists. We may need to decrease rations.” Concern weighed heavily on my commander’s face, and weariness was becoming his permanent demeanor.