Page 172 of Sky’s Edge

Again, interesting.

“Though, hells were paid when we sidestepped her,” Camaryn put in. “However, sometimes we had no choice.”

Also interesting, but sadly not surprising.

“I’m afraid we’ll need to go over things more closely earlier than I thought,” I said. “The king can’t underpay his staff. That’s unacceptable.”

And they shared yet another glance.

“Are you all right with me speaking to him about this?” I asked.

“I’m glad someone’ll do it,” Barret replied.

“Okay, then let’s do it right,” I declared. “I’d like you both to write a report about what you think is working, and what is not. I’ll also need a list of staff, their history here, their roles, your thoughts on their performance, their pay, and the remuneration scales of beings in the Edge who have the same or similar roles. Barret,” I directed my next to her, “I can confirm this with the king, but I think it’s safe to say, he wants you to run this house like you feel it needs to be run. Organize things as you see fit.” I turned to Camaryn. “Is there anything you’d like me to discuss with His Majesty?”

“Staff pay is the priority,” he replied.

“I agree. However, if there’s something else, we’ll address it. Now, what do you think? Can you be ready to go over things, say, Monday afternoon? Or do you need more time?”

“We can make Monday afternoon work, Ms. Truelock,” Barret said.

“Hear me,” I replied, and the husky anger in my tone grabbed both their attention. “We do not make things work. I’m aware you have duties to attend and anything I ask on top of that is overextending you. As such, I’ll note that I appreciate you meeting with me on a Saturday.”

Yet another glance passed between them, indicating Tatra expected them to be on duty at all times.

I filed that away too, because if that was necessary, their pay should reflect it.

But, unless Tanyn was say…hosting diplomats or throwing some important dinner party, I couldn’t imagine it was necessary.

“But this needs to get done,” I continued. “However, not with either of you stressed and twisting yourself into knots to get me what I ask for. Now, is Monday too soon?”

“It would be nice to have another day,” Barret said quietly.

“How about this?” I suggested. “You get to work on it and tell me Monday afternoon when you think you’ll be ready, and we can plan a meeting for that time.”

“That would be lovely,” she whispered.

And dear gods.

Were those crimson tears rimming her eyes?

I didn’t have time to deep breathe my anger away, and I saw the red seeping in, so I spoke to hold it back.

“Now, let’s enjoy the rest of our coffee and pastries while you tell me a little about yourselves. Then we can all get on with our days.”

I learned Barret was married to the head groundskeeper, they had three children, two in the Blood Scythe, one worked as an attaché for the Edge in the Center (clearly, civil service in one form or another was a thing for her family), and they welcomed their first grandchild around the Summer Solstice.

I also learned Camaryn was newly married and his wife worked as a nurse at Blackheart, a local hospital, but was on call for the castle’s medi-unit (I’d seen her, her name was Dyrdyn).

They left to get back to their Saturdays.

I sat where I was in order to seethe.

What took me out of my seething was a text comm from Zyra with a picture of a sofa I’d selected and a note of You didn’t say which room for this.

So I pulled myself together and left the queen’s study so I could find Zyra and do something fun.

Like spending Tanyn’s money.