AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A handful of royal guards stepped forward to carry Cathal’s casket out of the church. Once they had left, the nobles rose from the pews and began filing toward the exit, many sniffling and drying their eyes on handkerchiefs. As her father crossed the aisle to speak with his brother, Riona followed Amaris toward the wall nearest them, where a display of lit candles burned beneath a massive stained-glass window. In it, the Creator extended a hand to the body of a slain woman, his palm glowing with ethereal golden light. Riona knew the story from the Book of the Creator; it was the moment he had cleaved the realms of their world apart, crafting the In-Between and the Beyond. The same window existed in every church across the country. Rivosi custom dictated that for each person who died, one candle would burn for seven days to guide the spirit into the Beyond.
As she and Amaris moved through the room, Riona caught snatches of conversation, spoken in hushed voices:
“—stole from the treasury—”
“It was all a misunderstanding. A fight that ended badly. A damn shame…”
“—put a babe in that whore of his, I heard. A bastard, and an elf-blooded one, at that. It would’ve ruined him.”
Amaris stopped beside the display of candles and shot a dirty look at the nobles. “What despicable people. I’ve heard what they’re saying about Cathal, and while I can’t claim to know the truth behind his murder, I knew the man. He wouldn’t have done half the things they’re accusing him of. How long do you think it’ll take someone to leap for the chance at his position?”
“It only took me about thirty minutes after learning of his death,” Riona responded, and Amaris shot her a sharp, surprised look. “What, did you think I would pass up the opportunity for a place on the king’s council?”
Her face softened with understanding. “I would give anything for you to stay, Riona, but the king is not going to let you out of an arranged marriage. The suitors are already here, and his Majesty has gone to great expense to host them during the negotiations. If you hope to find a way out of this, you will be disappointed.”
“What happened to all your talk about being powerless? About changing the court? We are more than brides.”
“That’s right. We will bequeens.You cannot change anything if you are chained to a treasury position here in cold, rainy Innislee. What will you do, count coins and collect taxes? Is that the legacy you wish to leave?”
“I will befree.”
“Yes, but you will also be a fool. Do you think I don’t dream of returning to my home in the Isles? Of seeing my family again?” Amaris asked, the words laced with pain. “I have given up all of that to put an end tothis—the trading of sisters and daughters like cattle. When I am queen, your little cousin, Princess Namira, will be free to marry whom she chooses. My daughters will marry whom they choose, or they will marry no one at all. Do you see nothing noble in sacrificing so other girls will have that freedom?”
“I don’t have to be a queen to change things. If I served my kingdom well as its treasurer, wouldn’t that prove that all royal-blooded women can be more than just pawns?” She shook her head. “I will not sit like a meek little mouse and let men dictate my future.”
As soon as the words left Riona’s lips, all the warmth vanished from Amaris’s face. “Is that what you truly think of me, then? A meek little mouse? A foolish girl who will do as she’s told because some boy has promised to put a crown on her head?”
“No, I—”
She scoffed and walked away. “I wish you all the luck in the world, Riona. You may not believe that, but it’s true,” she said, tossing the words over her shoulder. “Try not to set your heart on staying in Innislee. It’s been broken once before.”
Riona turned away from her, her hands curling into fists. Amaris was no fool; when she became queen, shewouldchange things for the girls of the court, but she was also in love with the prince. She had no reason to object to the marriage. Even to those who loved her, Riona had never been anything but a puppet.
Well. If they would not fight for her,shewould fight forthem.
Riona left the church, ignoring the nobles who stepped into her path, trying to draw her into a conversation about the suitors. She walked alone along the twisting cobblestone roads until she arrived at the grand entrance of the Royal Theater. Its tall mahogany doors were decorated with swirls of iron, crafted into images of flying dragons and swirling plumes of flame in honor of the royal family’s patronage. They looked heavy, but they swung open at a single soft push, the only sound a whisper of well-oiled hinges. The polished metal mirrors in the walls of the theater’s foyer reflected slivers of Riona’s burgundy mourning gown as she slipped into the theater proper, blinking against the sudden darkness. As before, the stage was lit with candles, their flames bobbing in a draft.
Mistress Rosalie was sitting at the piano, playing a melody from one of the theater’s most popular ballets. She paused when she saw Riona, her smile faltering at the sight of her mourning gown. “I heard the Treasurer’s funeral was today. May the Creator watch over his poor soul.”
“And guide him to peace eternal,” Riona said, finishing the prayer. “Mistress Rosalie, I came to beg a favor. I was hoping you would allow me to use the theater late at night, once everyone has left.”
Rosalie raised a brow. “Oh? Planning some illicit meetings with the handsome young suitors who have just arrived at court, are we?” She waved a hand in dismissal. “I’d never be one to stand in the way of a bad decision, my dear. The theater is yours. But if anyone asks, I never knew you were here.”
Riona smiled. While Rosalie was a glutton for petty gossip, she wouldn’t dare speak of this for fear of the king’s wrath. She led Riona out of the theater and into her office, where she plucked a ring of keys from a drawer and dropped them into Riona’s hand. “They’re the extras. Keep them as long as you need. I’ll leave the candles burning for you, so just make sure to extinguish them on your way out.”
Riona thanked her and left the theater, slipping the keyring into the pocket of her gown as she walked up the gently sloping King’s Road. The tension in her chest eased with every step. Auberon was no different from the rest of the court. He may have acknowledged her clever mind, but he still saw her as a prize to be won for his beloved empire. He thought he could use her to further his own goals, and that mistake was her key to buying her freedom.
A few minutes later, the Church came into view before her, the royal family standing in a small circle just beyond the doors. The queen’s somber face brightened when she saw Riona. “I was wondering where you had wandered off to, my dear,” she said as she cupped Riona’s cheeks and gently pressed a kiss to each eyelid. “I hope today wasn’t too difficult. Cathal always had a soft spot for you.”
“I just needed some fresh air. Seeing him in the casket reminded me of the day we…found him,” she said, the words not entirely a lie.
“I know, love. You just need to take your mind off of it. Thankfully, Prince Drystan and Prince Eamon are waiting for you at the castle. I had Lady Annabel arrange a day in the public gardens for you all.”
Riona forced a thin smile. “That sounds lovely, Your Majesty.”
Queen Blair patted her cheek before leading her husband into one of the carriages. Once the Crown Prince and the younger heirs had followed them inside, Lord Lachlan led Riona and Amaris to another waiting carriage. Amaris settled on the bench beside her, but did not look in Riona’s direction. If her father noticed the tension between them, he didn’t say a word, perhaps mistaking their anger for grief.
“Did the search of Cathal’s estate reveal anything?” Riona eventually asked, breaking the silence. “The missing treasury documents?”
