Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2)(37)
The room had warmed, the air thick and cloying and humid. The queen’s wrath was fearsome in its relentless heat. Even to me.
Her words were eerily similar to King Rasmus’s, her urge to wipe out Frostbloods much like his campaign against Firebloods. Terrified of what I might find, I put out mental feelers, but I couldn’t detect any hint of a menacing presence like the one in the frost throne. If the Minax wasn’t causing her bloodlust, then perhaps the queen was even more dangerous than the king had been.
Nothing had gone as expected. I had crossed an ocean to get here, but I was no closer to completing my mission. The queen was furious, and she clearly wanted to take her anger out on me. The mention of peace had only incited her wrath.
I needed to regain some control. Brother Thistle had told me to ingratiate myself with the queen and the masters.
I took half a step forward. “I, too, burned for revenge against the Frostbloods, Your Majesty. I wanted to kill King Rasmus, and now he’s dead. Surely that proves something to you? I’ve done nothing to act against you.”
“You came from Tempesia without my permission,” she replied coldly. “That is enough to earn you a place in my prison.”
“She didn’t know our rules, my queen,” Kai broke in.
“But you did,” Queen Nalani snapped. “Imprisonment might teach you about the value of obedience, a lesson you sorely need, Prince Kai.”
“Very well, Your Majesty,” he said quickly, “but I ask that you give Ruby a chance to prove herself. I beg you and Prince Eiko to consider the matter carefully before you decide.”
The man sitting next to the queen—Prince Eiko—leaned toward his wife. “My dearest, I must agree with the boy.” His eyes moved from her to me, his long, angular face drawn in serious, almost stark lines. His eyes narrowed speculatively, in a way that I didn’t like. “She may be useful to us in some way that is yet unclear.”
Queen Nalani turned to him. “What use is she to me here? If the Frost King cares for her, I could never trust her.”
“Perhaps if you tested her abilities,” Prince Eiko suggested, “you would find out whether she could serve you in some other capacity.” Though he argued in my favor, the intensity in his voice was unnerving.
Queen Nalani’s gaze shifted back to me. “What prevented you from killing the king’s brother—King Arkanus? If you had done so, the succession would have been contested and it would have thrown the kingdom into chaos. Barring that, you could have been my spy. You would have served me better by undermining the Frost Court from within.”
“I knew nothing of your wishes, Your Majesty,” I said deferentially. It wasn’t the time to argue. “Perhaps if you train me in your ways, I would know better how to please you in the future.”
“Or how to stab me in the back.” Her nostrils flared.
I swallowed the urge to argue. “My loyalty lies with you, Your Majesty. I hate the Frost Court and everyone in it.” Except Arcus, I amended mentally.
I bowed my head, feeling Kai’s stare on me. I was laying it on a bit thick, but this was no time to let pride or scruples get in the way of saving my own neck. And Kai’s, too.
Prince Eiko leaned forward. “Why did you agree to come here, young lady? What did you expect to gain?”
I took a deep breath and met his eyes. “I have dreamed of coming here all my life. My grandmother told me stories of this land and its beauty, of the richness of its culture and its history.” That much was true. “I longed to be where Firebloods are valued rather than reviled. I grew up hiding my gift. Then, when my identity was revealed, I was hated and feared. My life was worth nothing to the Frost Court.” That was also true.
A silence fell. The queen’s gaze seemed to soften. I had aroused her sympathy. I needed to continue while I held the advantage.
I had gathered from conversations on the ship that Fireblood masters were valued highly. Proving my usefulness seemed like a good way to start.
“Perhaps you could test me, as Prince Eiko suggested.” I was careful to keep any hint of demand from my tone. “Prince Kai has explained that anyone can attempt the Fireblood trials, no matter their background. Would it be pleasing to you if I became one of your masters?”
A small smile played about her lips. “You speak too sweetly to be trusted, young lady. Though I appreciate how well you anticipate what I want to hear.”
I clasped my hands in front of me and met her eyes squarely. “I admire you greatly, and I would do anything to gain your approval.” It wasn’t hard to say the words. There was truth in them, perhaps more than I’d like to admit to myself. I wanted to gain her trust, to be truly welcome somewhere. To belong.
She turned to her husband. “What do you think, Prince Eiko? What would I gain by granting this request?”
His reply was almost eager. “She managed to destroy the frost throne, which only a powerful Fireblood could accomplish. With training, she could exceed some of your strongest masters. Perhaps Sud has sent us this gift. We would be remiss not to consider such a possibility.”
The queen’s expression was smooth, but she seemed to weigh his words carefully. Finally, she transferred her attention back to Kai. “Speak, young prince. You always have much to say.”
“I have seen her use her fire, and her gift is strong,” Kai said. “She could be a valuable addition to the masters.” He hesitated before adding in a low, almost urgent, tone, “And it might reveal things about her gifts that could be of great interest.”