Crush the King (Crown of Shards #3)(16)
I paused. “I also have some . . . ideas for the Regalia, some things I want to accomplish while we’re there, but we can talk more about those in the morning.”
“Yes, my queen.” Auster jerked his head to the side. “Before I go, is there anything you would like me to do about your current audience?”
It was after eight now, and most of the nobles, senators, guilders, and other wealthy, important citizens who roamed the Seven Spire halls had either retired to their chambers inside the palace or returned to their homes and apartments in the city for the night.
Most, but unfortunately not all.
A short man with thinning blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and a bulging belly was standing off to one side of the plaza. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was studying the geldjagers’ bodies with a critical gaze. Lord Fullman was one of the wealthiest—and most demanding—nobles at Seven Spire. He’d scurried out here less than fifteen minutes after a wagon had delivered the bodies, and he’d been watching the proceedings ever since.
And he wasn’t the only one.
A woman in her seventies with short, curly iron-gray hair, golden eyes, and ebony skin was standing a few feet away from Fullman. Lady Diante was another wealthy, powerful noble, although she was far more skillful and patient when it came to playing courtly games than Fullman was. Diante had waited a full half hour before coming to the plaza, and her expression was more thoughtful than critical.
Auster eyed the two nobles. “I could always hoist up Fullman with the rest of the bodies.” A smile creased the captain’s face. “It would be fun to watch him kick and squirm.”
“As entertaining as that would be, his screams would wake the entire palace and probably the rest of the city.” I shook my head. “I would never subject my people to such a horror as that.”
Auster let out a low, amused chuckle, then bowed to me again and headed back over to the platform. The captain walked right past Fullman like he didn’t even see him standing there. Fullman glared at Auster’s back before scurrying over to me. Diante followed him, albeit at a much slower, more measured pace.
“Queen Everleigh,” Fullman cooed, plastering a smile on his face. “I didn’t realize you had such excitement planned.”
“I would hardly call stringing up a bunch of dead bodies excitement,” I drawled.
Diante chuckled at my rebuke. She and Fullman were bitter rivals, and each always took great pleasure in anything that harmed the other, even something as simple as words.
Fullman shot her a withering glare and turned back to me. “Yes, well, do you think this is wise? From what I’ve heard, these people were geldjagers who worked for the DiLucris.”
“Yes, these geldjagers did work for the DiLucris. I don’t know who they were after or what bounty they were sent to collect, but they were using their magic and weapons to harass the plaza merchants, along with innocent shoppers, so Serilda and Cho put an end to them.”
That was the story my friends and I had concocted, and Paloma, Sullivan, Serilda, and Cho were already inside Seven Spire, telling it to anyone who would listen. By morning, it should be all over the palace. Auster would make sure that it spread throughout the ranks of the guards and the servants, while Xenia and her spies would whisper about it to the rest of the city.
Fullman’s eyes narrowed, as though he didn’t believe my lies, but he drew in a breath, ready to try another tactic. “Yes, but displaying their bodies in such a fashion could send the wrong message. That we are hostile to DiLucri interests, and to the Mint itself. Or have you forgotten that the Regalia will soon begin on Fortuna Island?”
No, I hadn’t forgotten that the Regalia was taking place on the DiLucris’ home island. As much as I hated to admit it, Fullman was right. I was thumbing my nose at the DiLucris days before I was scheduled to travel to their territory.
Not the smartest thing I’d ever done as queen, but in this case, being seen as strong and vicious was more important than being smart and tactful. Displaying the geldjagers’ bodies might make the DiLucris think twice about attacking my people again. And if it didn’t, well, I would keep giving the DiLucris visual reminders of how Bellona dealt with her enemies until my message finally sank in.
But I wasn’t going to share my thoughts with the pompous lord, so I lifted my chin and peered down my nose at him. “I think it sends just the right message—that no one, geldjager or otherwise, comes to my kingdom, my capital, and terrorizes my people.”
I stared at him a moment longer, then glanced over at the platform. The guards had hoisted the last body into the air, and Auster waved at me. I waved back and started walking toward the bridge.
I had thought—hoped—that my harsh response would be the end of things, but Fullman was nothing if not persistent, and he trotted along beside me, his short legs churning to keep up with my longer, smoother strides. Diante followed us at a much more stately pace, content to watch the other noble’s frantic machinations.
“Actually, there is another urgent matter I must discuss with you,” Fullman said.
I sighed, but I stopped and faced him. Otherwise, he would chatter at me all the way across the bridge. “What?”
“I’m wondering why you haven’t chosen Tolliver to compete in any of the Regalia events, especially the Tournament of Champions.”
Each kingdom sent a contingent of its best warriors, magiers, masters, and athletes to the Regalia. There were dozens and dozens of contests, everything from who was the strongest mutt to which magier could juggle the most balls of fire at one time to which cook master could bake the best cranberry-apple pie. Medals and money were awarded, but for many winners, the real prize was bragging rights for themselves and their respective kingdoms.