He smirked.
Ten steps. She counted them out before giving him a look over her shoulder. He watched her from his corner with smoke risingtoward the ceiling.
She had Lance’s attention.
Hopefully, that would keep the captain happy.
Miya carried a tray of dirty dishes into the kitchen and placed them on the counter. Steam drifted from the sink. Whoever intended to wash them moved on somewhere else. So much work to do. No one had stopped since the party the night before except to catch a few hours of sleep.
She removed her lacey gloves and placed the dishes in the soapy water, where she scrubbed at the hardened bits of food.
Footsteps approached from behind. The headmistress caught her by the wrist. “Keep that covered. Someone else will wash the dishes.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Miya dried her hands on her apron and slid her gloves on to hide her mark. It bothered her how people treated women as if it was their fault they were marked when she didn't know anyone who asked for one. Sure, Miya passed up her opportunity to leave this life a long time ago and opted for using the mark to her advantage, but so few women were in her position.
She straightened her shoulders and clasped her hands in front of her as she entered the dining room. Staff waited at the back of the room by narrow serving tables set with silver platters of steak, greens, roasted carrots, and creamy mashed potatoes. A rainbow of fresh fruit and fluffy clouds of assorted dips adorned small plates. It smelled even better than it looked.
Governor Krowe sat at the head of the table in his usual spot with Captain Garrison in the seat customarily left empty at the opposite end of the table. Only thin hunter green candles in a bed of white pebbles stood between them. The captain’s officers, Krowe’s wife and children, and the newest member of the house, Lance, edged the table with their plates close, not daring to obstruct the captain’s view of Governor Krowe.
The group ate quietly. Except for Lance. He shifted food around on his plate rather than consuming it. The captain cut into his steak while he watched Governor Krowe.
Miya refilled their drinks. When she reached Krowe, the captain’s stare broke away from the governor. He looked into her eyes for only a second, but after he moved on, she felt like his stare lingered still. His rolled-up sleeves showed off the Phaedra’s seal and the power he held.
Krowe breathed heavily enough to hear from two seats down. He smiled and nodded at his wife. “Yet another wonderful meal from our new head chef.” He stuck his fork in a piece of meat. The tines scraped against the porcelain from his trembling.
His wife managed a terse nod. It'd be a miracle if they escaped with their lives. Miya usually handled her nerves well, but she felt so anxious that it was hard to stand still. She retreated against the wall beside a server holding a coffee pot.
“You’ve disappointed me, Governor.” Captain Garrison gulped his wine and set it against the table with a heavy hand. “I give you a chance to show you’re not the inept and ineffective leader you appear to be. Instead, you prove that you truly are to blame for the stagnation of Caspador and the great city of Archai.”
Krowe froze. Then he gripped the tablecloth as he nodded. His smile looked like it might rip his cheeks in half. “I like a man who gets to the point!” His laugh rang off the walls.
Miya winced.
Krowe’s wife lifted a spoonful of peas to her mouth. Her hands shook so badly that only one made it.
“I will put this in simple terms.” The captain tapped his fingers against the table. “We installed you for one purpose. To ensure this territory obeys the Phaedra. You’ve allowed the king to make a mockery of our sovereignty.”
“I assure you—”
“Assure me of nothing.” The captain’s voice boomed. “I am only satisfied by results.”
“We’re addressing the surge in defectors to the United. I can take you to my office and show you. We’ve seen a decline of five percent this month alone.”
“Five percent.” The captain scoffed. “Before you took office, this kingdom stood loyally by the Phaedra. Today, you are bleeding young men and women who run to our enemies. The more territories that join the United and war against us, the greater the casualties will be for all.”
“The world is different from what it once was, Captain.”
“Are you making excuses to me?”
Krowe dipped his head. “I’m sorry. I meant to say that we’ve faced challenges.”
No one could blame the governor for people turning against the Phaedra. Sure, the emperor hadn’t attacked Caspador, but the news played the airstrikes in their neighboring kingdom, Antor, every night. He’d tightened restrictions, raised taxes, and plunged more and more families into starvation. The Phaedra pushed his own people away. The truth didn’t matter to them, though. Only their propaganda. It was what Miya hated most about politics.
“Results.” The captain slammed his fist down. “That’s all I care about. Results. Not small talk. Not assurances. And certainly not excuses. The people must be convinced you're retiring voluntarily. We’ll position the new governor closer to the king.”
“Yes. Yes, most certainly.”
“I’m not finished. You need to choose the right buyer for this historic estate. The civilians of this city need to see that you have selected its successor freely. And to see that successor throw support behind the new governor.”
