The Deepest Blue(84)
“I’m told I have a way with words. Your Majesty . . .” He paused. “I hesitate to bring up something delicate, especially while you are feeling indelicate, but your visit here . . . it’s unusual.”
“It’s not unusual for me to visit the strongholds,” Queen Asana said. “I merely changed the order.” She flashed him her brightest, friendliest smile. He suspects. How can he? If he tried to interfere, she wondered how far she would go to stop him.
As far as it takes.
She hoped, though, that she wouldn’t have to prove it.
And she hoped, too, that his new chef hadn’t used an uncommon poison in the soup. Finish this, she told herself. Get to Garnah and your family, and all will be well.
“I know,” Lord Maarte said smoothly. “But I’m also curious. My Family strives to serve you in every way possible. Are you displeased with us?”
“Of course not,” Asana said. “You have been loyal to Belene.” He probably believed he was loyal. He probably sees himself as a hero. Pompous ass.
“Your artist . . . I deeply regret what happened to his village. It is my concern that this is what your visit is truly about. We deployed the heirs as we thought best, for the good of the island of Olaku. The damage to his village meant that this fortress was protected.”
She almost smiled. He’d given her another reason to be here—perhaps he hadn’t guessed her true purpose after all. “You are correct. I wished to hear how that affair had been managed so poorly. I gave you advance warning of the storm. It should have been prevented.”
“The heirs misjudged its trajectory. They disagreed with your assessment on where and when it would make landfall. Forgive me, but I thought their information was more accurate, since they were closer to the storm.”
“An understandable decision.” Or more accurately, bullshit. “Have you sent workers to help with rebuilding the village?”
“Of course.”
Queen Asana knew he’d sent only minimal workers. Most had come at her expense from the capital, but she said nothing of it. “Do you have thoughts on how we can prevent a repeat of this?”
“You must trust our judgment,” he said immediately. “We want what is best for Belene.”
Really? His answer to “you messed up” is “trust me more”? But Queen Asana knew the routine. She bowed her head. “Do you know if my parents and daughter are well?” It was common for her to ask about them, with whatever ruling Family she spoke with. This time, though, she desperately wanted an answer. There was someone missing, and she wanted to know who and why.
Both her parents were elderly. If one of them had faded and they hadn’t allowed her to say goodbye . . .
Or if Roe had sickened and they hadn’t been able to cure her . . .
The Families wouldn’t want to lose their leverage by telling Queen Asana one of their hostages had died.
Don’t leap to conclusions, she cautioned herself.
“I have heard reports that they are,” Lord Maarte said kindly.
“And are they happy?”
“Of course,” Lord Maarte said. “Their needs and wants are all of utmost importance. As I have said before, you do not need to worry about them. That’s why they are being looked after so carefully, to relieve you of the burden of worry.”
“I appreciate that,” Queen Asana said. “Those in the Deepest Blue are restless. They sense a coming shift in seasons. It touches their dreams.”
“Are they giving you difficulty?” he asked, concerned.
She was pleased he accepted the change in topic. It was good to remind him why he needed her. No one but a queen could keep the worst of the wild spirits asleep. The heirs lacked the reach. It required the extra boost of power provided by bonding with the island spirits. “This time of year is always tricky. Requires an experienced queen.” The implication was: they were lucky to have her.
He understood her subtext. “We are grateful for your efforts.” He studied her closely. “Would you care to sit down? Your cheeks look flushed.”
“No, thank you. Indeed, I wish to see the sunset from the shore. Will you show me the best route to the sand?” She didn’t think he would allow her to wander alone, especially since her family was on the property. Plus if she kept him with her, she could ensure he didn’t learn of their escape before she was ready.
“It would be my honor and delight.”
He looked neither delighted nor honored, but he acquiesced and escorted her down a path. Guards marched behind them, and she called on the tree spirits to pull them away and subdue them, wrapping them in branches in the growing shadows, silencing them with leaves.
By the time they reached the shore, it was only her and Lord Maarte. They were out of sight of the battlements, hidden by the shadow of the cliffs. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kelo a few yards down the beach, waiting for her family to emerge from the earth spirit’s tunnel. She reached into the pocket of her dress and withdrew some of Garnah’s purple powder.
“One question, Lord Maarte, now that we’re alone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Did you poison me?”
He stared at her for a moment, and she could see the calculations behind his eyes—he thought she looked unwell, and the guards were too far to hear either of their words . . .