Lady Smoke (Ash Princess Trilogy #2)(67)

“Queen Theodosia,” she says to me with a curtsy that the girl tries to mimic. “May I introduce you to my daughter and heir, Fabienne.”

I smile at the girl, who beams back at me. “Lovely to meet you,” I tell her before introducing my aunt.

“I’ve been looking forward to speaking with another female ruler,” I tell the Empress once we’re all seated.

She laughs. “Yes, it is overwhelmingly male here, isn’t it?” she asks. “I think that’s what would make us an excellent match. I daresay I respect you far more than anyone else here.”

“I don’t doubt that,” I tell her. “Though I do have questions.”

The Empress smiles. “You would like to know if our partnership would be romantic in nature?” she guesses. I nod, glancing uncertainly at Fabienne, who doesn’t seem fazed. “Well, I myself am attracted to both men and women equally.”

“Oh,” I say. “I…am not.”

“Pity,” she says. “But I’ve never had trouble finding love and I would be more than happy to agree to a platonic partnership if it would suit you.”

I smile and nod, even though the truth of the matter is that even if she could be content with not bedding me, I doubt she would be as understanding if I asked to keep sole reign over Astrea.

Dragonsbane stands, claiming we need to visit with others, and I agree, saying polite goodbyes to Giosetta and Fabienne.



* * *



—

Dragonsbane surprises me. Instead of leading me toward Archduke Etmond or the Esstenian Kings or Czar Reymer, as I expect her to, she veers toward Chief Kapil. He looks as surprised as I feel when he sees us coming toward him. He makes an effort to reach for his cane to stand, but I stop him.

“Really, no need, Chief Kapil,” I say, sitting down across from him. “I’m not very fond of curtsying, and I can do without another one.”

Relief is evident in his eyes as he takes hold of my hand, kissing the back of it.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Queen Theodosia. I’ve heard enough about you that I feel as if we know one another already.”

There’s that uncomfortable feeling again. He’s heard so much about me yet I know nothing about him apart from his name. But unlike the others, he doesn’t look at me with pity.

“You’re a brave young woman,” he says, surprising me. “And I understand that I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

It takes me a moment to understand what he’s thanking me for—interfering when the Kalovaxians went to invade Vecturia.

“I’m only sorry I couldn’t do more,” I tell him. “I heard about the burning of your country’s food stores. How are your people faring?”

His face darkens but he shakes his head. “Vecturia has faced worse than a famine; she will survive it.”

Vecturia will survive it, maybe, but not all her people will. And S?ren gave that order. I might have forgiven many of his sins, but some sins aren’t mine to forgive.

“I wish there were something I could do,” I tell him.

“Pah,” he says, leaning against the back of the sofa. “I am more concerned about what I can do for you.”

I swallow, wary of where this is going. He’s old enough to be my grandfather, and an alliance with Vecturia wouldn’t be enough to retake Astrea.

“I can’t marry you,” I tell him as gently as I can.

He laughs quietly and pats my hand with his weathered, liver-spotted one. “I know, Your Majesty,” he says. “Not all of us old men seek child brides to recapture our lost youth. My youth was well spent but it’s long gone now. I have no desire to rob you of yours.”

“Why are you here then?” Dragonsbane interrupts.

He doesn’t look at her, all of his attention focused instead on me.

“I needed to meet you,” he says. “I needed to look you in the eye and tell you how sorry I am that Vecturia didn’t help Astrea when the Kalovaxians attacked. I will spend what is left of my life atoning for that mistake. I am grateful that you were braver and kinder than I was.”

“It was the right move, strategically,” I tell him, uncomfortable with the way he’s looking at me, like I’m some sort of savior. I’m not.

“Then it was brave and kind and wise as well,” he says with a smile. “I have no desire to marry you, Queen Theodosia, but you have an alliance with Vecturia nonetheless, if you so desire it. You have our armies, however meager they may be.”

I don’t have to consult with S?ren to know that they’re meager indeed. Strong enough to beat a faction of Kalovaxian warriors while having the advantage of Vecturian soil, but not strong enough to stage an attack. Still, the gesture means more to me than I can put into words.



* * *



—

Chief Kapil takes his leave shortly after—his country can’t afford for him to spend more than one night in Sta’Crivero. I’m sorry that he had to spend any amount of money for such a short conversation, but he won’t hear any of that. We will be in touch, he promises, lifting my hand to his lips for a brief kiss.

I find that I am sad to see him go. When he does, I make my way toward Archduke Etmond, and Dragonsbane doesn’t try to steer me elsewhere. She would approve of the match, I’m sure. Etralia is a wealthy country, with a strong military presence. That his company doesn’t suffocate me is merely a bonus, I suppose.