The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)(87)

Melanie shook her head. “He told them to incite a riot, then back off.”

The fact that he was in the dungeon didn’t make a difference. He’d have left orders that no one would disobey.

“He didn’t tell me,” she said. “He didn’t trust me.”

“He knew when I returned, you’d side with me.”

We watched as James’s teams sorted through the innocent people below, searching for the Red Militia that was long gone.

“I’ll find the Red Militia for you,” Melanie said as the crescent moon lifted into the sky. “You have my word.”

The next day, I pushed through more of Paige’s unending lists.

“When do queens sleep?” I yawned, but according to Melanie, James, and Paige, all sitting lounging about my parlor, the day was far from over. Danie scurried about the bedroom, laying out a nightgown and lighting candles.

“Never, as far as I can tell.” Melanie leaned back and propped her heels on my desk. “If it makes you feel better, the rest of us don’t get to sleep much, either.”

“Boots off the desk,” I said, keeping my voice low. “I saw Danie scrubbing and polishing it this afternoon. I’ve never seen someone so serious about polish.”

Melanie heaved a sigh and sat normally. Perfect timing, because a moment later, Danie emerged from my bedroom and whisper-asked if I needed anything else.

“That’s all. Good night, Danie.” I put on the same warm smile I’d have worn as Lady Julianna.

The maid curtsied and hurried from my chambers.

“That is certainly not fleeing.” Melanie grinned at James, then me. “We have a bet going.”

“That she runs to escape my room?” I had a flash of memory of my Skyvale Palace maid, who never stayed longer than absolutely necessary.

“Yes.” James shrugged from his spot near the fireplace. “If you can get her to flee soon, I have plans for my winnings.”

“James thinks it’s inevitable,” Melanie said. “I think Danie has incentive to stay right where she is. It means she works in the same building as Sergeant Wallace.”

“They’re together?” I hadn’t seen them with each other, but I’d been here only a couple of days.

“Oh no.” Melanie waved a hand. “She’s far too shy to speak to him. But I think she’ll stick around so she can continue admiring him from afar.”

“Meanwhile,” James said, “I’m convinced of your ability to frighten even the most determined of maids.”

I scowled. “I don’t know whether to be flattered or insulted.”

“Choose both.” He winked.

“Oh for the love of every saint. Make an effort to be nice to the staff,” Paige said, writing another item on one of her thousand lists. “I’ll continue introducing you to everyone, but they need more than that. They need to love you, too, like they couldn’t love Patrick.”

That thought sobered me. How could I make a kingdom of angry, frightened people love me? “I’ll do my best.”

“No more betting, either.” Paige shot glares at Melanie and James before she slid a paper toward me. “Now, about uniforms for the Queen’s Guard.”

Yes, after three long hours of interviews, I had a Queen’s Guard. “Uniforms? Why is this my job?”

“Because you have to look at them every day.” Paige smirked and tapped the page. “The treasury is one thing Prince Colin was careful to keep healthy. We can spare money for uniforms, especially since you refuse to hire more than just nine people.”

“It’s a lucky number.” And it was the minimum number of guards James would permit.

“Uniforms will promote a sense of unity. We’ll have a badge or pin commissioned, too. Rosanne Wallace would be a good choice for a seamstress—”

Outside, the screaming started.

“Indigo must go!”

I lurched up and stumbled toward the balcony.

“Wil, wait!” But James wasn’t fast enough.

I threw open the balcony doors and stepped outside.

Icy wind blasted from the west as I approached the rail. Dread knotted in my gut as the same violence of last night came again. The screams, the cries, the flames licking the starry sky.

“Wil, get back inside.” James pressed a hand on my shoulder. “Give me time to assess whether the balcony is safe. Remember what happened to Tobiah.”

As if I could forget.

Already, I saw castle troops moving into the city, but the truth of these riots burrowed into me. “They’re going to do this every night,” I said, letting James draw me away from the edge. “They’ll rush in and riot, then leave before you can catch them.”

At the door, Melanie nodded. “Every night, until everyone from the Indigo Kingdom is gone and you are crowned queen, with Patrick as your king. I think that’s why he took the city so early. You turned on him, and he needed to secure your dependence to him.”

“By destroying the city from the inside out?” My whole body shook as I stepped inside and James locked the balcony door. “Only Patrick would think that was a reasonable option.”

James dragged the curtain over the door. “We can’t take much more of this, especially not over the winter. If they burn supplies . . .”