Chapter Three #3
“Yes, I suppose it could, but only for a bit. The kingdom will need an heir.” She crossed her arms and dared him to explain that away.
He crossed his and shook off his hood, revealing the shining plait and the silver disc that did indeed bear the crest of Caledon.
“Not for several years. I imagine a healer like you knows the best potions and herbs to take so that every chance for success is given. I am sure that for the sake of Caledon, we could have a physical expression of our union once, or twice if the first time does not produce desired results.”
His voice was so cold and clipped that the warmth in her chest died, and her rowdy stomach fell.
He doesn’t want me for my looks or my disposition. He’s not after something to rut.
Well. Good.
“Yes, I would consent to that,” she muttered, not dropping her eyes. “If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll just look over the rates due and the takings we’ve had this past month. See if your proposition is worth it.”
Jocasta turned and ignored the low snarl behind her, grabbing paper and ink, totting up figures.
If the rates stayed the same and takings remained at their highest... It would still take several years to buy either the shop, the house, or the boat. Not all three.
And what would happen if her parents, already starting to slow down, became too ill to work, and she was tasked with doing the work of five people, not just three? And what if they had to hire help? She scratched out some figures while Girion paced behind her, huffing and stomping.
If they had to hire help, and to be fair, it was a matter of when, not if, they would slide into arrears. Eventually, they would be forced to close. And knowing the Fox, Mr. Nemo would come for their boat first. He’d cut off their livelihood—and say it was with the king’s blessing.
A nugget of hatred for the king who would allow such abuse of honest, hard-working people burned in her chest.
With her back still to him, she said, “If I should become queen, I would like to propose new laws about the mortgage rates and property taxes. That they must not be raised at will, but only once per year, and then only a percentage. And what a person is charged should only be a percentage of his income, say, ten percent or less.”
“Is there not something similar in place?” Girion asked, voice surprisingly light, even startled.
“If there is, someone is abusing it and claiming the king approves.”
“I very much do not. Who is this person?”
“A Fox who lives in Caledon. Nemo. I don’t know where he lives, but he sends out his men this way every three months, and they have not once stopped without jerking up the rates until they strangle us.
Even with all my magic and all of our work, we are surviving, not prospering. That shouldn’t be the way it is.”
“No. It shouldn’t. My land is harsh, but those who brave it have always been able to show something for it.
If you will consent to be my bride, then you will serve on the economics council as an advisor, and we will track down this Nemo to make sure that he is playing by the rules the Ministry of Commerce and Banking has set forth.
If those rules need to be altered, you will tell me, my queen. ”
My queen.
The ball of hate burst, and the strange, unwanted heat returned. “You will have to ask my father—and you will have to buy the boat, shop, and all of our holdings outright, with my father and mother’s names on the deed.”
“I will take care of it today. Who holds the deeds?”
“The bank at Frost Hills holds the deeds, but sold the mortgages to Mr. Nemo when father defaulted on a payment last year after my mother broke her wrist. ”
“I will buy the deeds, pay them, and have them put in their names. I will go and ask for your father’s blessing. Will they journey with you or—”
“I will stay with them and hire the help you spoke of.”
Girion nodded and reached into his cloak. He pulled out a bag that clinked, and it landed heavily on the counter. “Spend that on all you need. Set things in motion now. I must return to Tundra Springs by tonight.”
He looked at her, something unspoken dangling in the air between them.
He wants me to go with him. Now. Today. Tonight.
Leave my parents? The shop? Everything?
I have to go anyway.
And... Well, let’s be honest, Jo. You were never going to get married, anyway.
Most humans aren’t too keen on magic, and most humans aren’t too keen on a girl who has hands as rough as driftwood, who is always wet and smelling like smoke and fish, who lives at home with her parents and scowls when they try to flirt.
A man who offers a kingdom and pays off the family debts is the only kind of “romance” you’d even want.
Right?
“Let me speak to my parents. If all is taken care of today, then I will go with you tonight,” she said, gulping so loudly at the end that she sounded like a stepped-on bullfrog.
Girion bowed to her, relief spreading on his face. “We will announce our engagement at the ball, and the wedding will be soon after.”
“But where will I stay until the ball? I have no gown! I don’t think I have a single pair of shoes fit for dancing, and all of my cloaks need mending, and—”
“You will stay in the palace, as our most honored guest. There are acres of dresses from past queens and ladies-in-waiting, and there are seamstresses and tailors to attend to all you need.” Girion reached out a hand as if to pat hers, and then thought better of it, curling it into a fist and placing it back at his side.
“Do not fret. I have no evil intentions or designs. We will be allies, and nothing more. You keep to your chambers, and I to mine. We will work together by day to restore Caledon and make it even more prosperous, and at night, unless there is a ball or dinner, you will have your own time and interests. Once your parents are in the city, they will be your guests as often as you like. You’ll have your studies.
A greenhouse for the herbs you need for potions.
You will travel around the kingdom to wherever you’re needed, wherever you’re wanted.
..” He stopped the flood of words with a sigh. “Does that sound acceptable?”
Jocasta picked up the bag of coins, stunned at the weight. “It is most acceptable, sire. I’ll fetch my father.”