Chapter 36
Things felt very much in hand to Beatryce. She had a powerful magician on her side, which meant she no longer had to worry about mastering the dark arts herself. Despite what Leda continued to tell her.
In fact, she hadn’t even practiced this morning.
She had too many other things to do. After breakfast with Dren, which was nearly over, she was going to see her mother, then Merylynn was accompanying her to speak with Elyra.
Afterwards, they would construct a letter to the Radiant queen, accepting her offer to meet in Summerton and discuss peace.
Finally, there would be a visit to Mistress Finefrock’s for a gown fitting.
Bea’s wedding gown.
The very thought made her smile.
“You’re in a good mood this morning,” Dren said.
She nodded. “There’s no reason not to be. My mother is on the mend, I have a wonderful new Minister of Magic, and I’m off to see the seamstress today.”
“New gowns?”
“One new gown in particular.” Her smile widened. “My wedding gown.”
His smile matched hers. “That is something to be happy about, my darling Beatryce. Does that mean you’re ready to set a date? My parents are eager to know, as you can imagine.”
“I’m going to speak to my mother about that today. I must consider how her healing is going and when she thinks she might be able to attend. I cannot and will not get married without her being there.”
“Nor should you,” Dren said. “Give her my best wishes.”
“I will. What are you doing today?”
“I’m off to speak to the stable master about a new warhorse breeding program. I would very much like to see Malveaux make progress in that area. In a few years’ time, this kingdom could be producing serious income from such a program.”
She nodded, despite being completely uninterested. But if it kept him occupied and made him feel like he was contributing something, she was all for it. “That’s wonderful.”
Breakfast this morning was smoked fish, a traditional troll favorite, but it wasn’t hers. She’d eaten as much as she wanted. She pushed her plate away and nibbled on her toast, which was well-buttered and liberally spread with pear butter.
Dren took the hint, finishing up his meal in a few more bites. “Would you like to take a walk in the gardens this afternoon? Or have dinner this evening?”
It was sweet that he wanted to spend time with her. “I’ll send word when I’m available.”
“Very good.” He wiped his mouth, then stood and bent to kiss her cheek, somehow handling his enormous body with grace.
As soon as he was gone, she downed the last of her tea and went to check herself over in the mirror.
Not a hair out of place. She’d opted for a soft blue gown this morning.
It was simple, but there was something very regal about that simplicity.
She’d paired the gown with pearls, a sophisticated choice, in her opinion.
It amused her how her tastes were changing now that she was queen.
Head held high, she went across the hall to her mother’s apartment. Wyett greeted her in the sitting room. “Good morning, your highness.”
“Good morning, Councilor. How is she today?”
“A little better. She’s on the balcony. Dr. Lockhart thought the fresh air might do her good.”
Bea nodded. That seemed like progress. As did the fact that the apartment no longer smelled like decay. “I’ll visit her there, then.”
She glanced into the bedroom as she went. Clary was changing the bed linens. Bea continued on to the balcony. Her mother was in a wheeled chair, wrapped in blankets that dwarfed her thin frame. Galwyn perched on the back of the chair.
“Good morning, Mother.” Bea smiled, despite the horror she felt at seeing the dark hollows under her mother’s eyes and cheekbones. She didn’t look as if she’d regained any of the weight she’d lost. Her skin still seemed nearly translucent, but perhaps that was made worse by the sharp light of day.
A cup of tea sat nearby, but judging by the fullness of it, the tea was untouched.
Anyka moved her eyes to look at Bea, but not her head. “There is nothing good about it. I want to go in.”
“All right. Let me get Wyett to—”
“No. You take me in.”
Bea assessed the wheeled chair. It was large and looked heavy. “I’m not sure I can manage that on my own.”
“Are you that incapable of the simplest things now that you’ve taken my crown?”
Bea tried to hold her temper. “I didn’t take your crown. You were incapacitated. Much as you are now. The kingdom needed a queen it could rely on.”
Anyka squinted against the sun. “And that’s you, is it?”
“Who else would you have had?”
Anyka said nothing.
Bea had not expected this vitriol, but then again, maybe she deserved it. Her hand had put that dagger in her mother’s back.
“I’ll see if Wyett can help me.” She went back inside. Wyett stood as she came into the sitting room. “My mother wants to come in. I don’t think I can manage that chair on my own.”
He gave a little shake of his head. “Dr. Lockhart wants her out there for at least an hour. It’s barely been a quarter of that.”
“So she’s out there because of him, not because she wanted to be?”
“Yes, your highness.”
Bea frowned. “If she wants to rot in bed, that’s her decision. Give me a few more minutes with her, then bring her in.”
“As you wish.”
Bea went back out. “Wyett will bring you in shortly.” She stood beside her mother. “I think it’s wonderful you’re getting some fresh air.”
Anyka’s scowl remained. “If you’re going to stand here blathering, at least make yourself useful and block the wretched sun.”
Bea shifted to cast shade on her mother.
“Better,” Anyka said. “What did you want to see me about?”
“Can’t I visit my mother for no reason?"
Anyka wheezed out a laugh. “Then you’re here out of the goodness of your heart?”
“Yes. To ask how you’re doing. Dren and I are eager to plan our wedding, but I don’t want to do that without knowing you’ll be able to attend.”
“So the kingdom can gawk at me?” Anyka’s eyes narrowed. “Get married whenever you wish. I will not be there. Consider it my gift to you. This way, you’ll have everyone’s attention to yourself.”
Bea kneeled down and put her hand on her mother’s knee. It was as bony as an elbow. “But I want you there.”
Anyka took a few breaths. “I believe you mean that.”
“I do. Of course I do. You’re my mother and I love you.”
“And yet, you nearly severed my spine with a blade.”
Bea choked on her next breath. “That was an accident, Mother. You know that. The blade was meant for Sparrow.”
“Does she still live?”
“Yes, but I’m working on a plan.”
“Hmph.” Anyka frowned. “Perhaps when you finally do more than work on a plan, you will become the queen I was. Until then, you are merely playing dress-up, a pale imitation of the ruler I was. Don’t think the people of this kingdom fail to see that, either.”
Bea had had enough. She was queen, and judging by her mother’s appearance, she would remain as such. Without saying goodbye, she stood and went back inside. She paused on her way past the sitting room. “My mother has changed her mind. She wishes to remain on the balcony. Alone.”
Wyett nodded.
Bea snapped her fingers at Krohl on her way out. He fell into step behind her. She stopped at Merylynn’s door. Thankfully, she was dressed and ready.
“Good morning, my lady. Are we off to see Elyra?”
“Yes,” Bea barked. She sighed as they started walking. “Forgive me. My mother has me on edge this morning.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. She must be in pain. It’s unfortunate she’s taking it out on you.”
Bea hadn’t considered that. She quickly nodded. “Yes, very unfortunate. I suppose I must forgive her. She can’t help herself.”
Bea let Merylynn knock when they arrived at Elyra’s. She’d been moved into Nazyr’s old quarters. She curtseyed to Bea, then gestured for her to come in. “Welcome, your highness.”
Bea looked around as she entered. Potted herbs lined the windowsills, and the scents of sage and bitter orange filled the air.
The drab brown draperies had been replaced by deep blue silk.
New rugs had been laid. Candles and sprigs of greenery interspersed with skulls and shards of crystal served as decoration on the mantle. “How are you settling in?”
“Very well, thank you.”
But Bea wasn’t there for small talk. She took a seat in the sitting room. Merylynn followed suit. “How did last night go? Were you able to accomplish what we talked about?”
Elyra settled into the seat nearest to Bea. “Yes. The letter provided the path I needed.”
Bea waited but when Elyra said nothing more, she prodded, thinking of how Leda might react then tempering it by half. “And? I want to know what was accomplished. I realize you are new to this position, but it requires you to keep me informed of your achievements.”
Merylynn snorted but quickly covered it with a cough.
“My apologies, your highness,” Elyra said. “The letter had not only been handled by the Radiant queen, but by two other women. I visited them all to be safe. As I have not seen her, I couldn’t be sure which one she was. Suffice it to say, they were sufficiently terrorized.”
Elyra looked pleased with herself.
Bea frowned. “What did the three women look like?”
“The first two were silver-haired and about the same age. The last was younger with brown hair.” Elyra’s eyes narrowed. “I felt confident the first was the queen, so I gave her as much of a fright as I could.”
Bea sighed. “The last one was the queen.”
Elyra’s mouth bunched to one side. “I see.”
Bea stood. “You will go back tonight, and you will do a better job. I want her incapacitated with fear, do you understand me? When I meet with her, I want her on edge and pliable. Her mind nearly broken with fright.”
Elyra got to her feet. “I understand, your highness.”
Bea glanced at Merylynn. “Come. We have a letter to write.”