Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2)(6)
“Thank you, Lady Blanding,” said Marella with a dip of her chin. “Your hair looks like a wasp’s nest.”
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Lady Blanding smiled warmly and sipped her wine.
Lord Ustathius, who sat at the king’s left hand, glared at his daughter. “You insult one of the king’s court, and by association, the king himself.”
“She can’t hear me,” Marella replied calmly, nodding as a footman piled her plate with slices of thinly shaved roast beef.
“The rest of us can,” he replied. “You owe the king an apology.”
She arched a brow at Arcus. “Shall I grovel on my knees, Your Majesty, or would hand-wringing suffice?”
Arcus’s lips were slightly compressed, as if he held in a smile. “To be honest, I see no reason for you to apologize, as you were defending one guest from another. But if you’re desperate to atone…”
“I am. Aren’t I, Father?”
Lord Ustathius’s brow lowered ominously.
“Then you must grant me a favor,” Arcus continued. “I’ve invited several ambassadors and heads of state to a ball to help seal our tentative peace accords. I would like your help planning the details of the affair.”
I tried to stifle the feeling of envy at Arcus turning to Marella for help and not me. It wasn’t Marella’s fault that she was raised to be the perfect lady. It was logical for Arcus to ask her. But it was one more reason that Lord Ustathius was right—his daughter was far more suited to stand at Arcus’s side than I was.
“Tentative peace accords, indeed,” said Lord Regier, the proud angle of his chin providing an unwelcome view up his generous nostrils. “We have received only the vaguest of agreements from the kingdom of Safra, despite the fact that we know they can’t hold out much longer. Rumor has it that eastern commerce suffers greatly from lack of trade with us. And our southern provinces, which should be offering allegiance to the new king, are still insisting that they reject Frostblood rule! Never mind that the traitors live on Tempesian land that we generously allow them to cultivate. And to add to their insults, they have offered rewards to anyone who produces the king’s head on a pike!”
“They have every reason for defiance,” said Lord Pell, conviction in his blue-gray eyes. “The southern provinces have always welcomed immigration from Sudesia. As a result, most of the Firebloods—and the raids against them—were concentrated in the south. You can’t blame the provinces for hating King Rasmus. But their dignitary will certainly feel differently about the new king.”
“There’s nothing certain about it,” Lord Regier replied. “I might remind you that they harbored the very Fireblood rebels responsible for the death of His Majesty’s own mother and for the horrendous attack that resulted in our king’s scars.”
Silence fell.
Even if he wasn’t bothered by the insensitive remark about his scars, I ached for what Arcus must be feeling, having his mother’s death brought up so casually, and by such a buffoon. His mother had been killed by Fireblood rebels during the time when Arcus’s father, King Akur, had taken land away from the southern provinces. The southerners had naturally rebelled, including a significant number of Firebloods. Not only was his mother killed by these southern rebels, an assassination attempt had also been made on Arcus.
“That’s all in the distant past,” said Arcus tightly. “It’s time to establish a dialogue with the provinces. We’ve sent a messenger to invite their dignitary to the ball.”
Lady Regier chuckled. “You’d have some illiterate farmer dusting up the great hall?” She shuddered theatrically.
Arcus stared at her until her smile faded. “I will welcome an important leader whom I hope will become a valued ally.” He paused before adding, “I’ve also sent an invitation to the queen of Sudesia.”
My breath caught as gasps reverberated around the table. The Fireblood queen.
“You’ve invited our greatest enemy to our capital?” Lord Blanding stood, dropping his napkin onto the table. Though his words were directed at Arcus, he glared at me. “Have you forgotten that Sudesia supported the southern rebellion?”
“We don’t know that for certain,” Lady Manus interjected, regarding him steadily with her cobalt eyes. “And it wasn’t much of a rebellion, was it? King Rasmus made sure of that by killing half the population of the Aris Plains.”
“A gross exaggeration.” Lord Blanding gave her a disgusted look before turning back to Arcus. “You go too far, Your Majesty. I cannot help but conclude that such a rash decision was brought about by your affection for this… this girl.” His small mouth pursed in outrage, the tension in his jaw making his jowls shake. I stared back until his eyes slid away.
“Sit down, Blanding,” said Lord Manus coolly. “Do you really think the queen will agree to come? His Majesty sent the invitation as a sop to mollify the southern provinces.” He turned to Arcus. “At least, I’m assuming that was the strategy? Show good faith to the Fireblood queen in the hopes that the provinces will come to the table to talk?”
“I invited the queen of Sudesia because I hope she’ll attend.” Arcus’s eyes returned to me. “Your attendance at the ball would also be welcome, Lady Ruby. It would be good for the ambassadors to see how Frostbloods and Firebloods are mending ties.”