Chapter 30 Dice and Diplomacy
Dice and Diplomacy
"You do realize that half this country wants to kill you, right?" Nyara said lightly as she tossed the dice across the table.
They struck the wood with a loud clatter before tumbling to a stop between us.
"At least they feed me here," I replied, leaning back in my chair with what I hoped looked like composure and not the slow, gnawing frustration that had begun to define my days in Alarna.
Nyara arched an eyebrow. "That is an impressively low standard for survival."
"Well," I said, reaching for my cup, "I also have you to bring me all the gossip. That helps considerably. Although I do wish I lived in the East Quarter instead of this palace. From what you've described, it sounds like all the good gambling happens there."
"The gambling and wine in the East Quarter are impeccable," Nyara said with a grin that made it very clear she had tested both extensively.
Over the past months she had become my most reliable source of information. Singing now at Alarna's Aurelin Theater, she drifted easily through the currents of the city, collecting rumors the way other people collected coins.
All I truly wanted was my husband back.
Time has a way of inviting ridiculous thoughts.
I told myself he could not be dead. I told myself he would never forget me.
Yet sometimes darker possibilities crept in, unwelcome and persistent.
Perhaps he had returned to Rathmor and found me gone.
Perhaps he was furious. Perhaps he believed I had abandoned him.
In another version of events he was back in the mountains fighting the undead while Jessamy stood beside him. Sometimes woman, sometimes whatever four-legged creature she occasionally chose to become.
Maybe he decided he wanted her instead.
Maybe he married her.
Completely irrational thoughts. Still, the possibility that he might be alive somewhere and simply choosing not to come hurt far more than the possibility that he was dead.
Because if he lived… Surely he felt this too. The ache of separation that seemed to hollow out every hour of the day.
"Your move, Queen Heir."
Nyara nudged the dice toward me.
"You sure?" I asked with a grin.
"Entirely."
I rolled. And, much to my dismay, Nyara swept the coins toward herself.
"You're a fucking cheat."
"Always."
We laughed as we rose from the table and wandered into the courtyard, linking arms as we crossed the garden path.
Halfway across I froze.
Aunt Petunis.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I whispered, immediately dragging Nyara behind a hedge.
The Queen Regent moved slowly along the path with her ladies-in-waiting and Aunt Jularin, who had just returned to court after being away the past few months.
"How is she adjusting?" Aunt Jularin asked.
"Quite well, I would say," Petunis replied calmly. "In fact, I look forward to passing the baton soon. These bones do grow tired."
"This does not seem like the safest time for that."
Petunis gave a soft, dismissive laugh. "My dear sister, none of this is safe. And to be frank, I am long overdue to be finished with it. The Regent's life is not nearly as enjoyable as it sounds."
"And her magic?"
"Sufficient," Aunt Petunis said with pride.
Something warm rushed over me at that. Nyara nudged my side and grinned, aware of what a high compliment "sufficient" was coming from Aunt Petunis.
"And the people love her, especially since that whole…Hurstinal incident."
"Some of them do," Aunt Jularin said skeptically.
A sudden pulse of magic brushed against my senses.
"Asharin!"
Fuck.
"Yes, Aunt?" I said, stepping out from behind the bush with Nyara reluctantly following.
"It is unbecoming of a queen to hide in hedges."
She flicked a quick pulse of magic at me. This time I dodged it, though I questioned her judgment in assaulting me while I was this heavily pregnant. "Good girl."
I briefly considered throwing magic back at her but decided against starting a magical duel in the middle of the courtyard while she was surrounded by guards and half the court.
"You have duties in the throne room," she continued briskly. "The Duke is complaining about unpaid tax levies in his lands, and the Viscount wishes to discuss labor shortages."
"Sounds thrilling," I said.
"Asharanis," she growled.
"Fine, fine. I will go get dressed."
"See that you do."
Then Petunis turned to Nyara. "Nyara, I look forward to hearing you sing in a few days. My ladies and I have tickets to the theater."
Nyara immediately blushed. Petunis linked arms with her. "Why don't you join me for tea while Asharanis attends to her duties?"
Nyara hesitated.
"The kitchen has prepared Tinaris today."
Tinaris. Tea and sweet wine. Nyara's favorite.
"Well," she said sweetly, "how could I refuse?"
The fucking traitor.
I rolled my eyes. "Enjoy tea time," I said, already turning toward the palace. Then I stalked off toward my chambers to get dressed.