Innocent Queen: A Court Intrigue Fantasy (The Forbidden Queen Series Book 2) Read online

  Copyright © 2020 R.J. Vickers

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  Cover by Deranged Doctor Design

  Map designed by Cornelia Yoder http://www.corneliayoder.com

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  ISBN-13: 9798635011713

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  Glossary of Terms

  Itrea – A country founded by the magic races and other minorities who fled the Kinship Thrones centuries ago. Baylore is its capital, and Larkhaven its only port city.

  The Itrean system of rule – Itrea has created a system of elected monarchy where five heirs share a thirty-year ruling cycle. Each heir is nominated by the current ruler from each of the five ruling families, and is usually a relative. When the ruling cycle switches, the heir of the king or queen currently in power takes the throne, and after three years, Baylore holds a vote as to whether that monarch should keep the throne or hand it to the next king or queen in line. If all five monarchs in the ruling cycle are voted off the throne after their three years are over, rule returns to the first monarch in line for that cycle.

  Holden King/Holden Queen – The term for a king or queen in a current ruling cycle who does not sit the throne.

  The five ruling families of Itrea – The original aim of this ruling system was to share power more evenly among the people, since the founders of Itrea had no royal blood. However, five royal families have now held power for centuries. These are the Reycoran family, the Aldsvell family, the Dellgrain family, the Vellmont family, and the Bastray family. Tradition dictates that all rulers and their relatives take the ruling family’s surname, so these names have endured since the foundation of the royal lines.

  Icelings – A race native to Itrea who live in the Icebraid Peaks. Little is known about them, so they often feature in fantastical stories.

  Drifters – A race native to Itrea who live in the Wandering Woods. They can choose to undergo a ritual to gain the use of healing powers.

  The magic races – These are people born with one of a handful of magic powers. They are not closely linked by genetics (aside from Weavers), so anyone with even distant magic ancestry can end up with a magic power, and it can skip many generations. Also called Makhori (in the Kinship Thrones). The magic races include Weavers (who are born with silver hair that can be woven or otherwise incorporated into handmade objects to enchant them), Cloudmages (who can predict or even exert a slight power over weather), Minstrels (storytellers who pull named listeners into stories that feel like reality), Riders (who bond with animals), Potioneers (who create enchanted substances by channeling their magic into ordinary ingredients), Metalsmiths (who can sense veins of metal underground and use their power to forge delicate metal objects), and more.

  The forbidden races – The forbidden races are not allowed within the walls of Baylore. The rationale is that these races are dangerous, especially in a heavily populated place like Baylore, but some magic races have been lumped into this category due to general mistrust or prejudice. Forbidden races include Extractors (who drain energy from those nearby), Braiders (who can fix the time and cause of a person’s death), Curse-Weavers (who can curse people deliberately or accidentally unless the source of their power is cut from them), Dark Potioneers (who use less accepted substances such as blood and flesh in their potions), and Snake-Bloods (who can transform into snakes).

  The Kinship Thrones – The name for the nine kingdoms joined under Whitish rule. Long ago, the expanding Whitish Empire was divided between the high king’s nine sons, though some kingdoms had been settled long before Whitish influence. The Kinship Thrones are east of Itrea. They include Whitland, Chelt, Dardensfell, Kohlmarsh, Cashabree, Ruunas, Northreach, Lostport, and Varrival.

  Whitland – The country that rules all nine Kinship Thrones (at least in theory). Whitland does not accept Itrea’s autonomy and tries to curtail trade between Itrea and the Kinship Thrones. Most inhabitants of the Kinship Thrones are originally of the Whitish race, but are now known by their country of nationality (Cheltish, Varrilan, Ruunan, etc.). Whitish is also the official language of Itrea and most of the Kinship Thrones.

  Makhori – A term used in the Kinship Thrones for those with magic blood (known as the magic races in Itrea)

  Varos – A god worshipped in the Kinship Thrones, especially in Whitland. In Itrea, often shortened to “Varse” as a curse.

  The Nine – The nine Whitish gods of light who pre-dated Varos. The days in a quarter and spans in a year have been divided up numerically to honor the nine gods (plus Varos, in the 10-day quarter).

  The Seventeen Gods of Sin – According to Whitish religious teachings, the Gods of Sin birthed the magic races. Hence all Makhori are demons who represent the lingering presence of evil in the world.

  Cloudy Gods – A joking term Itreans use to refer to things outside their control, sometimes as a mild oath. Itreans are not religious and have only adopted the parts of Whitish religion relating to general terminology (days/quarters/spans). However, some country folk genuinely believe in the cloudy gods, which causes no end of amusement to city folk.

  Dravs – Stamped tin coins worth a small amount

  Varlins – A varlin is worth twenty dravs. Varlins are stamped coins typically made of silver, with a small gemstone in the center.

  Span – A period of 40 days. There are eight full spans plus one incomplete span in a year.

  Quarter – A period of 10 days. There are four quarters in a span. The days in a quarter are Aurumsday, Talonsday, Tensday, Tollsday, Samsday, Ilkayumsday, Tabansday, Daridsday, Varseday, and Sullimsday. These are named after Varos and the nine Whitish gods of light.

  League – Equal to approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles)

  Contents

  Chapter 1 - The Queen’s Bed

  Chapter 2 - The Great Southern Road

  Chapter 3 - The Ilkayumsday Vote

  Chapter 4 - The Fugitive

  Chapter 5 - No Safe Place

  Chapter 6 - The Flamespinner’s Mark

  Chapter 7 - The Rogue Horsemen

  Chapter 8 - The Truthbringers’ Plan

  Chapter 9 - Mellicante Almershain

  Chapter 10 - The Investigation

  Chapter 11 - Political Games

  Chapter 12 - Unwanted Guests

  Chapter 13 - Curfew

  Chapter 14 - Cal’s Spies

  Chapter 15 - The Palace Garden

  Chapter 16 - Trust

  Chapter 17 - An Unwilling Accomplice

  Chapter 18 - Lye and Ash

  Chapter 19 - Seduction

  Chapter 20 - The Celebration of Spring

  Chapter 21 - The Traitor

  Chapter 22 - Ten Thousand Names

  Chapter 23 - The Bloodstained Tower

  Chapter 24 - The Raid

  Chapter 25 - Hostage

  Chapter 26 - The Trial of the Queen

  Chapter 27 - The King’s Sentence

  Chapter 28 - The Executioner

  Chapter 29 - The Road

  1

  The Queen’s Bed

  “Y our Majesty! Your Majesty!”

  My new lady-in-waiting, Baridya, burst into the throne room and half-ran, half-strode past the council members. Her face was flushed, her eyes wild.

&nbs
p; “Stand aside,” I ordered my guards.

  Baridya stopped beside me, breathing hard, and leaned forward. “There’s been a murder, Your Majesty,” she whispered. “At the inn called The Queen’s Bed.”

  I went rigid. I had barely sat the throne for three days—this could not be an accident. Murders were rare in Baylore.

  “Any other details?” I whispered, trying not to move my mouth. The council members watched me with beady eyes. “Is there a suspect?”

  Baridya’s gaze slid away, as though she was suddenly fascinated by the woodwork on my throne. “Your Majesty, the victim was a healthy young man, and there were no signs of injury on his body. There is talk that—that you did it.”

  All the air fled my lungs. “No,” I choked out. “They’re wrong. That’s—” I swallowed, forcing back panic. “Council members!” To my relief, my voice came out steady, if somewhat breathless. “Thank you for your time. We will reconvene tomorrow.”

  “But the ordnance—”

  “It can wait. I apologize, but there are matters that need my attention.”

  I sat stiff-backed as I waited for the council to clear away. Several shot me disgruntled looks, and they muttered amongst themselves as they shuffled toward the doors. My guards—twenty of them, lining either side of the room in a display of force—watched them go. All were armed, but they did not put their hands to their swords. Their presence was enough to ensure my orders were followed.

  Baridya stood at my side, her breath still coming fast. I knew little about her; my two new ladies-in-waiting had helped me dress these past three days, under the tutelage of Lyla, but I had not had a chance to speak with them individually. At least they did not seem to fear me.

  When the click of the councilors’ heels faded down the hall leading away from the throne room, I stood.

  “Guards—there has been a murder at The Queen’s Bed, directly opposite the palace gates.”

  To their credit, my guards remained straight-faced at this news.

  “Send someone to investigate the scene of the crime. I need to know everything. Are there other Extractors living legally in Baylore? Is the owner of the Queen’s Bed affiliated with the Truthbringers? Did any Truthbringers stay at the inn last night? And did this young man have enemies, or was he killed at random?”

  “Your Majesty!” My favorite guard, white-haired Quendon, saluted me. He was the only guard I trusted wholeheartedly, so I had put him in charge of my personal security detail.

  “Come with me,” I said to Baridya. “I need to deal with this before rumors spread. What an inauspicious way to start my time on the throne.” I shook my head.

  As I strode toward the doors, my heels too loud in the silence, Baridya hastened after me. Like me, she did not seem capable of maintaining poise when rushing. I doubted she had spent much time at court.

  When we reached the hall, I let my shoulder sag. I hadn’t even passed my first ruling, and someone was already trying to frame me for murder. Would my people not give me the chance to prove myself?

  I gathered my skirts as I raced up the first flight of stairs toward the Cheltish wing.

  No, I already knew the answer to that. The Truthbringers were opposed to me on principle—because of my forbidden magic blood. They didn’t care if I was the wisest, most generous queen ever to rule Itrea. They wanted me gone, and it seemed they would stop at nothing to achieve it.

  I had to get rid of them. But how?

  My remaining guards stopped just outside the Cheltish wing while Baridya and I continued across the elevated walkway.

  “I’ll find you later,” I told my lady-in-waiting. “I need to speak with my parents.”

  She curtseyed. Her cheeks were still flushed, her sleek black hair escaping from its updo. “Will you tell me what you decide, Your Majesty?” she asked with an impudent grin.

  I stared at her. “Of course.” Since when did my ladies-in-waiting start caring about political affairs?

  As Baridya hurried down to her chambers on the lower level, I went in search of my parents. I had to stop myself from heading into the royal suite to see if Mother was in her private office—that was mine now.

  I found them in the study downstairs, discussing something in low voices with the last person I expected to see—Olleack, my father’s step-brother and my greatest rival.

  Olleack straightened when I entered, and gave me a deep bow, his lip curling.

  “It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

  “Did the council meeting end early?” my father asked, setting aside a stack of documents.

  “No. I need to speak with you.” I glanced at Olleack.

  “We will continue this discussion later,” my father said.

  Olleack inclined his head and retreated, though not before I caught his satisfied smile. Was he involved in the murder?

  “Sit down,” Mother said, indicating the chair beside her. “You look flushed. Is something wrong?”

  “There’s been a murder in the inn right across from the palace,” I said tightly. “Apparently there was no obvious cause of death. People are saying it’s my doing. Someone is trying to frame me.”

  “When did you learn of this?” my father asked.

  “My lady-in-waiting brought word while I was in the council meeting. I sent guards to investigate.”

  “Good, good,” my father said distractedly.

  “What was Olleack doing here?”

  “I do not think he was involved, if that was what you were asking. We were trying to draft laws the holden monarchs are unlikely to vote down, and I wanted my brother’s opinion.”

  “If he were king, he’d vote against anything I suggested.”

  “No.” My father sighed. “He worked to put Leoth on the throne because he genuinely believed that would be the best outcome for Itrea. He’s not evil, Kalleah. He just doesn’t think Baylore is ready to accept the rule of someone with forbidden blood.”

  “He supports the Truthbringers,” I shot back. “They want to kill me. I don’t care what Olleack says, or Leoth—as long as they let the Truthbringers have their way, they’re undermining our rights. They’d prefer it if the magic races went back into hiding and gave up our freedom.”

  “We were discussing the murder,” Mother said swiftly before my father could respond.

  “Indeed.” He folded his hands on his desk, frown deepening. “We need to hold firm against any rumors. Aside from the lack of an obvious cause of death, there is no reason for the public to accuse you of this murder. You have not left the palace since your coronation, and we know of no other Extractors in the city. If someone is trying to frame you, they have done a clumsy job.”

  “It’s the Truthbringers,” I said. “They’ve set it up.” He didn’t understand—my people didn’t need a reason to hate me, to accuse me of murder. They would leap at any chance they got to smear my name. “We need to get rid of them. They’re a threat to Baylore’s stability, and to my rule. As long as they have support here, I will never win my people’s favor.”

  “And therein lies the problem,” my father said. “The Truthbringers have widespread support. If you make a move against them, you will anger your citizens, who have already shown a willingness to resort to violence against you. Do you want to provoke them further?” He shook his head. “No, you must erode the Truthbringers’ support in subtler ways. Win your people over with grand gestures. With generosity. When your people see the Truthbringers’ words have no basis in truth, they will turn instead to you.”

  I ran a finger over the embroidery on my skirt, uncertain. I didn’t think it would be enough. But what else could I do?

  “Now, would you like to read a few of our proposals and decide which laws you will present before the holden monarchs?”

  * * *

  Back in the royal suite, I found my ladies-in-waiting, Baridya and Deance, discussing something in furtive whispers while they organized my jewelry. When they heard the door to the bedchamber squeak, they both jumped an
d whirled to face me, looking guilty.

  I raised my eyebrows at them. “What are you doing? Not stealing my jewelry, I hope?”

  “I was just telling Deance about the ruckus on the main square,” Baridya said, her cheeks flushed. “We think it’s absurd for people to blame you. Why in Varos’s name would you sleep at The Queen’s Bed when you have a perfectly good royal bedchamber here?”

  I studied my ladies-in-waiting for another moment, wondering if I should trust them. Mother had selected both young women carefully for their looks and their intelligence; Baridya had glossy black hair and dark lashes, and something in the exotic shape of her face drew men’s eyes wherever she went, while Deance had brown hair and lighter skin, her chin and nose pointed, her eyes sharp.

  “We want to help you, Your Majesty,” Deance said. “We’re not just here to dress you. We support your rule, and we hope to learn the intricacies of court politics while we serve you.”

  Baridya stacked a pearl bracelet delicately atop a pile and closed the drawer. I realized I didn’t care if they were thieves; my jewelry meant nothing to me. If they actually wanted my company, I would gladly discuss affairs of state with them.

  I left my bedchamber and settled in a padded armchair in my private sitting-room. When Baridya and Deance joined me, I gestured for them to sit. “My parents think we should wait and watch to see what happens next. The man’s death might not have been a murder at all, and if it was, the rumors might die out soon enough if we ignore them.”

  “But you don’t believe that,” Deance said.

  I looked at her in surprise. She was very direct. “No. I think this is the doing of the Truthbringers, and until I am voted off the throne, I don’t think they will stop trying to undermine me.”