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Chapter Nineteen
I was filthy, exhausted, and heartsick when I finally led my troops to the palace. We had done what we needed to do. Most of those who had followed Bors were either dead, on their way to the dungeons, badly injured and sent for medical treatment before their criminal trials, or last seen running away as fast as they could.
Following them would have been an option, but since they were clearly mercenaries, I told my people to stand down. The paid soldiers would have no reason to come back here without my uncle to hire them. They worked for the highest bidder, and the only bidder was scheduled for an unmarked tomb because his very existence shamed my family. He could not be buried in our family cemetery. My parents and grandparents and all those who came before would roll over in their graves.
I went to my office where I spent most of the night receiving information regarding all the aspects of cleaning up the site of the battle as well as the medical condition of our brave soldiers. Jillian sat by my side, her mates with mine dealing with a lot of people as well. The young volunteers who had been training with us had passed on some of their knowledge to their families, as it turned out. But the largest number of those who joined us had done so completely in the moment, wanting only to help, to support their queen and their country.
And beneath my dirty clothes, stiff with blood and drying mud, my chest swelled with pride at my people’s bravery and loyalty. No queen ever had such folk, and my pride faded into humility. What had I done to deserve them? Sure, I’d been trying to make things better, to help make our little kingdom a place where every one of my subjects was valued for who they were, no matter what. I’d been building our own power grid. I’d started a program of equal education for all. And some other things, but they still deserved more from me. I’d find a way to be worthy of the love and loyalty they displayed.
Somehow.
Some way.
Jillian pushed a whiteboard into my hand, and I studied what she’d written.You’re enough. You’re more than enough.
If only that were true. Two big tears spilled out of my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. “I’m not, you know? These people are so amazing, they should have all their dreams come true.”
Jillian took the board, rubbed out the words then wrote again.You want to be more than human. But you’re just an ordinary queen.
I jerked my head toward her, shocked to see her eyes twinkling in her oh-so-dirty face. “You think you’re funny.”
She bobbed her head then wiped and wrote again.I’m hilarious. And you need to take a shower.
“I don’t have the strength.” After fumbling for my mug, I lifted it to my lips and sipped the restorative brew Candace had forced upon me when I really wanted coffee or maybe black tea. But while this was a bitter-tasting drink, I felt it likely that whatever vitamins and minerals or other substances were largely responsible for my not keeling over where I sat. “Seriously, I’m going to sit here and do my job then crawl off to bed and, for once, not care what happens to the bedsheets. A little dirt is washable.”
Candace came racing in, then, tripping over her own feet. “They’re here! And they say they are taking over the kingdom.”
“Who is here?” I was glad my voice didn’t wobble when I asked. “I thought we just defeated those who would have unseated me.”
“It’s the High Council.”
Oh hell no. Those old busy bodies never went anywhere, and here they were, in my castle for the third time. The first, they’d been helpful, but since then they had managed to let Bors escape from their prison and then showed up and say if I couldn’t handle him, they’d take over. How—when they were the ones who let him loose—could they say that? Did they take no responsibility for their own actions?
And obviously nobody had seen fit to tell them what had just happened.
“Your Majesty, Janis, you need to clean up before you address the High Council. You can’t meet them in battle-stained wear.” Candace wrung her hands. “And we’ll need to hurry. They are impatient and already throwing orders around as if they are in charge.”
“Are they indeed?” After the day I’d had, my patience was at a low ebb. In fact, it was nonexistent. “Then by all means, let’s greet them.” And I’d be doing it as I stood. Every bit of the dirt and blood on me came from fighting to defend my throne. I could dismiss the High Council as I was. “Where are they?”
“The front hallway.”
I stared at Candace. “The High Council is cooling their heels in the hallway like someone who wants to sell me shoes or something?”
“Yes.”
“Then by all means we will see them there. So they aren’t far from the door for their departure.” I stood and held out my hand. “Sister, are you coming?”
Jillian was on her feet in an instant, nodding. She got me, my sister did.
We sailed out of the office and into the warren of hallways that laced the castle. By the time we arrived at the section we sought, I had my words all planned out. “Councilors, how gracious of you to come here to congratulate us. The people will be thrilled that we were so honored.”
They didn’t stand a chance. Just watching them stare at me was entertaining.
“Y-your Majesty, were you hurt?” The eldest of the councilors, whose name I was just too tired to remember, came toward me, but I stared him down. “We came to reiterate our offer to take over the castle again and remove the burden from your shoulders.”
“I see you staring at me, and at my sister. Is it possible nobody has told you what went on today?”
He looked so confused, I took pity on him. “Counselor, I have resolved the situation. Now, I know you hate travel, and it’s getting quite late.” I moved into their midst and managed to get them started. “Have a pleasant trip.”
Probably the only reason it worked was because nobody had ever tried it on them before.
But, for whatever reason, after a brief explanation from me, they left.
And the villagers rejoiced.
