“I received that information from Evangeline Sinclair.”
“And yet, they’re all alive, unlike my wife! So how couldtheyhave been the targets?”
The urge to explain that for someone to be resurrected, they first have to bedeadmakes my jaw tight, but I keep the words back. This isn’t the time, and he won’t fucking listen. He has a reality he’s desperate to hold on to, one that gives him someone to blame, one that makes it easier for him to navigate his grief and the cruelties of life, and nothing I can say will change that. Because this isn’t about justice. This is about his need to not crumble when he’s already dragging his feet through hel.
Which is why those in poverty are more likely to be swayed by rage – because rage so often is all they have to keep them going. I cannot argue with the instinct to survive.
So I don’t.
I give him what he wants instead. “With this new law, you’d be able to vote for the files of this investigation to be released.” Moving on before he can get another word in, I nod to a woman with one eye. “Earlier, you mentioned there will be a separate court and budget for military operations, but what happens if the majority votes not to raise taxes in a recession, Your Majesty?”
“Why the fuck would we want to raise taxes?” someone grumbles. “They’re high enough already.”
My focus on the woman, I ask, “What’s your job?”
“I work in security, Your Majesty.”
“Is it your own company?”
“No.”
“How long have you worked for them?”
“Almost ten years.”
“And have you had a raise during that time?”
She looks nervously at those around her. Continuing so she won’t have to answer in a full room, I say, “Most of you give your lives to corporations. They profit exponentially while many of you struggle to get by. They are dependent upon you without wishing to acknowledge that, claiming that you are replaceable while their CEO is not. But a queen ant without her soldiers, even though she is the only one who can reproduce, is no queen at all.
“So in times of hardship, the most profitable corporations will be required to supplement a scaling percentage of their profits to the kingdom. We’ll start at the top and work down until we have the funding to take care of our people.”
“Will they be compensated later for that?” a woman asks, dressed almost as regally as my wife.
“Their compensation will come in a boosted economy.” At least then their profits won’t be at the cost of the lives of the poor, just their blood. “That tax will then be lifted.”
As the talks continue, I start to pace across the stage. I glance at the Court members every so often, seeing if they want to add anything to the discussion. But every time, they sit perfectly poised – not bored, not cowering. Just waiting.
Ignoring the crawl of unease across my skin, I answer question after question, and I can see the crowd coming to terms with the future I want. The murmurs of acceptance. Of hope.The nods and calculating eyes as they realise what this could all mean. For them. For their children.
I glance at Arienna, sitting behind me. She smiles as she meets my gaze, and all the knots in my back don’t feel so twisted. We’re going to have a future together, away from the responsibilities of the crown. With Jace and Nicholas and Fabia and all the monsters she wants.
As the four hours I planned for this debate near their end, Petre finally approaches the podium. I step back to let her have her say. The room quiets, expectant faces turning towards her.
“I only have two things for you all to consider,” she says calmly. “Ruling a kingdom is not an easy task. You must compromise, and sometimes, you must sacrifice the present to secure the future. So first, I ask you to think about how much more work you wish to take on day to day. You will be required to keep up with all political matters enough to pass the quizzes. You’ll have to vote on every matter, taking up hours of your time – time that is already so precious due to work and war. The twelve of us discuss politics full time. So do you really wish to commit to all that we do? Without getting paid?
“The other point I wish to make,” she says, then pauses as she looks around the Red Ballroom.
My skin itches with the need to move. Clenching my jaw, I stay still, ‘relaxed’. They will understand that the amount of work this new era will require will have nothing on their gained freedoms.
“Is to really think about how dumb your boss is, your coworkers. Those that can’t get an order right or help you deal with a simple return. Then think about all the people even dumber than that. Those who are too stupid to work or to understand a simple concept you try to explain to them. All of them will be allowed to vote. Do you really want the town idiotsto have a say? Or would you rather keep your free time and let us do our jobs.”
As the atmosphere in the room shifts, Petre turns to me and smiles.
Fuck.
Twenty-Two
The forest is a dangerous place to travel. The skies are hunted by birds of prey. The forest floor by jungle cats.
