The Rogue Queen (The Hundredth Queen #3)(22)

He weighs my question before replying. “We have enough Aquifiers to propel us there in seven days. The reverse journey is six. Pushing upriver against the current will slow us.”

The demon rajah is estimated to arrive in Vanhi within six days, but I do not press the admiral. He and his men realize our urgency and will do their best. I point to the section of the map where the two rivers meet. “My party and I will meet you here. How long do we have?”

“About four days. If you aren’t there when we sail by, we will continue on without you.”

“We’ll be there.”

Admiral Rimba pushes a pin into the map at the cross section of rivers. The finality of our arrangement bores into me. I must find Brac and meet the admiral’s fleet on time, or we will be on our own.



Natesa and Rohan wait in the garden near the wing flyer. Yatin stands off to the side, frowning up at the sky. One would think airsickness afflicts him instead of me. I am already ill in anticipation of our flight.

Yatin and Natesa have changed into sturdier travel clothes. Natesa traded her skirt for Princess Gemi’s favored attire, loose trousers. They also brought supply packs for themselves and Rohan, and one for me. My mother and Ambassador Chitt stand off to the side, come to say good-bye.

Tears shine in Mother’s eyes. “Be careful.”

“I will.” I draw her in close. She smells of hookah smoke and jasmine.

“Love you, Deven,” Mother whispers.

Emotions crowd my voice. I manage a nod, and she moves on to bid farewell to the others.

Ambassador Chitt saunters over, his hands clasped solemnly behind him. “I heard about Prince Ashwin’s plans. He sent word to the warlord, but he isn’t waiting for a reply. He, the kindred, and a small group of guards are flying to Samiya. He asked me to go with them and help negotiate.”

Chitt has closer ties to Hastin than we do. The warlord once served with Kishan, Kali’s father, as well. “Do you think Hastin will unite with the empire?”

“Difficult to say. Hastin has always been unpredictable.”

I scoff under my breath. Unpredictable? The man is volatile.

“I’d like to join your group instead, if you’ll have me.” Chitt clasps and unclasps his hands in front of himself uncertainly. “Your mother said it was all right to tell you our history. Mathura told me long ago that Brac is my son. I sent dozens of letters to Tarek requesting to acquire her. It felt uncouth to offer him coin, but men like Tarek put a value on everything. I offered a more-than-fair amount for Mathura’s freedom, but I didn’t consider how much Tarek relished possessing something another man envied.” Chitt glances at my mother, who embraces Yatin in farewell. “I should have known he would never let me have her and Brac.”

“You asked for them both?” I ask, cocking a brow.

“And you,” Chitt amends. My disbelief falters. “I asked to trade for all three of you. I own a sizeable plantation on an outer island, plenty of room for two boys to run around. You’re a little older than I thought you’d be when we met again, but perhaps someday you’ll visit me there.”

“I’d enjoy that.” Chitt was not required to justify himself to me, but I am grateful he did. “You should go to the sultanate. Gather the Tarachandian army and stand by for word from me or Admiral Rimba. We may yet need their troops.”

Mother rejoins us, slipping her arm through mine. “What did I miss?”

“Ambassador Chitt has some business in Janardan,” I answer. “You should go with him.”

Mother squints at me. “I don’t need you to manage my life, son.”

“I know he’s Brac’s father,” I answer without condemnation. Though she prompted Chitt to speak with me, she still blanches. “You need time to discuss how to approach Brac with the news. He’ll have questions, but I think he will be open-minded.”

My mother gives a closed-lipped nod. I kiss her cheek, and then Chitt draws closer to her. Seeing them side by side, I imagine what it would be like to visit his home together. May we all live long enough to find out.

The first stirrings of Rohan’s winds whistle through the garden.

“Deven,” Yatin calls. “We’re ready.”

“Shouldn’t you wait for Kalinda?” Mother asks.

“Kali would be here if she planned to see us off.” I start for the wing flyer. I could seek Kali out and plead with her to change her mind, but the last time I thought I knew what was best for her, I wound up in a prison camp and she sought solace in the boy prince. And truthfully, I am not fully prepared for her ultimate decision.

“Deven!” a voice shouts from behind me. My foot strikes a lump on the ground and I stumble sideways. Princess Gemi hurries to me. “Sorry. I meant to stop you, not trip you.” She gestures at the mound of grass she lifted with her powers. “You’re leaving?”

“That’s right,” I reply, setting off again.

She stays at my side. “Admiral Rimba said you’re meeting the fleet in a few days. I asked to go with him, but my father won’t allow it. May I go with you?”

I halt and take in her white tunic tucked into dark trousers and the machete at her waist. “You don’t strike me as the type of woman who asks permission.”

“You’ve never angered my father.”