The King's Daughters (16 page)

"Who?" I asked with renewed hope.

Eva's nose wrinkled as if she were about to play a trick on someone. "Mother," she breathed in a secretive tone. "She has agreed to see you, Amir. Mother's inviting you to have tea with her tomorrow. If someone can change Father's view of you, it is she. Trust me on that."

Beaming with joy, I said. "I do trust you, my love, I do. What should I wear? Oh, and what should I bring her? I don't want a repeat of my introduction mistakes and insult her with an offensive gift."

Eva's laughter filled my room. "Wear something simple and elegant. As for the gift. No woman will ever be insulted by jewelry."

I grinned. "When should I go there?"

"Don't worry. Someone will come to fetch you when it's time. Now put on your coat, we're going outside."

I didn't argue; I dressed in a hurry. We spent a good part of the day outside walking in the snow. I was so glad to be with Eva that I didn't feel the cold any longer. She was my sun, my fire; her presence warmed me from the inside out. Well, except for when she shoved a handful of snow in my face and some of it ran along my neck and down my back. I was cold then, but that was a small price to pay for being with her.

Grasping my arm, Eva said, "Come with me, I want to show you something."

We ran through the snow until we were past the stable and nearly out of the castle's garden.

Eyeing the dark line of the trees ahead, I felt a sudden uneasiness. "Where are we going? Not in the forest I hope?"

"No. The place is right on its edge."

I hesitated. "Eva . . . that's dangerous."

"Please," she coaxed. "I need to show it to you. It's not far, I promise."

"Fine. But it better not be far."

Well, it was farther than she remembered. I stared at the partly collapsed stone building with some confusion. Why did she want me to see this pile of rubble?

Wrapping her cape tightly around her, Eva approached the broken-down building.

"This used to be our playground when we were children. My sisters and I used to spend hours here. It was different then. Those walls were still standing and the forest was further back. This place was sunny and flowers grew everywhere." She sighed. "Too many things have changed lately. Far too many things."

"What was this place anyway?"

Eva sat down on one of the fallen columns that had once flanked the building's façade. "An old temple, an old house. Some call them travelers' roofs. They used to be widespread throughout the country. They were shelters to spend the night in safe from the wolves, and to worship the local gods. Now they are all falling apart . . . because things have changed. Sorvinka is not as it used to be. I don't like the way it is now." Eva paused and looked around while twisting one of her gloves between her hands. Then she turned concerned eyes toward me. "I spent a lot of time with Father in his council chamber these last days, and I was appalled to learn that my beloved country is now weakened by internal conflicts and divisions."

I frowned, shocked by what she just said. "You! You've assisted at council meetings? I thought—I thought you spent most of your time with your mother."

Eva glared at me. "Why are you so surprised, Amir? I told you about my interest in the kingdom's affairs long ago. You knew Father let me and my sisters assist in those meetings."

"Yes . . . but . . . "

Eva's eyes narrowed; her chin rose. "But what, Amir? Did you think I lied, or embellished the truth?"

"No! I—"

Eva shook her head. "Don't bother explaining yourself. I understand. You thought those were meaningless meetings. The sort that deals with the purchase of furniture for one of the castle's new wings. You never really believed that Father would let me participate in any meetings of political importance . . . because I'm a woman."

I thought it best not to say a word; after all, she was right, that was exactly my thinking.

Nodding, Eva whispered, "This isn't Telfar, Amir. Sorvinka has different rules."

"I'm doing my best to learn your ways and adapt to them."

Eva smiled. "I know you are. I shouldn't lose my patience with you like this. You're certainly not to blame for your upbringing. And my presence in the council's chamber is unusual even in Sorvinkian culture. No woman has ruled Sorvinka since the Black Queen, and that was over three hundred years ago."

"The Black Queen . . . sounds ominous, I've never heard of her before."

"She wasn't evil, just a widow. She wore only black, hence the name Black Queen. She ruled as regent for nine years until her eldest son was old enough to ascend to the throne." A proud grin illuminated Eva's face. "In the few years she ruled, the Black Queen successfully doubled the size of the country by annexing the provinces of Tatilion and Ukavec. She gave birth to the Empire we have today. Sadly, history books rarely mention her accomplishments. Some even omit her reign completely." Eva kicked the snow with obvious discontentment. "It's terribly unjust, if you ask me."

I agreed wholeheartedly, which seemed to appease Eva's volatile emotions. Her posture became more relaxed and her face took on a calm, dreamy expression. As she appeared lost in her thoughts, I decided to take a closer look at the old temple behind us.

I walked around the side of the building and discovered the remains of an entrance. Some timeworn figures still adorned its sides. They appeared vaguely feminine in form—then again, the stone was so pitted and eroded I couldn't really be sure. Further inside the building, where the roof had fallen in, forming a sloping shelter, was a round bowl set atop a tall stone pillar. With an eye fixed on the collapsed roof, I cautiously stepped inside the building and leaned over the round bowl.

"OH!" I jumped back in horror. A bloody sheep's head lay in the bowl. I then looked on the ground. The snow was beaten by footsteps. Fir branches were spread out in the left corner not far from the darkened patch of an extinguished fire. I could also see some melted wax on several rocks. This place had been used recently. Someone slept here—on those branches. Were they travelers or bandits? I wondered. Either way, this building wasn't safe, I decided, and made my way back out.

"Eva," I called, rushing to her side. "We must leave now."

She shot me an annoyed glance, the kind that made me doubt she would consent to do so. But after a long look at the surroundings, Eva agreed to leave. I was glad to flee the forest, and this spot in particular. This place made me nervous.

We were emerging from between the fir trees growing at the forest's edge, when two galloping horses almost ran us over. I hardly had time to pull Eva out of the path of their deadly hooves. If not for my swift reflex, I believe Eva, who had been walking in front me, would've been trampled. Once Eva and I had regained our wit, we turned to face the riders.

The two Anchin warriors had stopped a short distance from us. The man appeared relieved to see that we were unharmed. The woman, on the other hand, looked somewhat disappointed. Moreover, she was glaring at Eva with open dislike. Without uttering a single word, they turned their horses and galloped away.

"Savages!" hissed Eva.

"According to the alchemist they're not as barbaric as they appear."

"Foolish ramblings of an old man!" she snapped. "They're savages, nothing more." Furious, she raised clenched fists in front of her face, as if she wanted to hit someone, anyone. Her rage was so intense that for a brief instant I thought she was going to hit me. But then her hands fell to her sides. "Oh, Amir, I'm so tired of feeling threatened all the time. I'm tired of being powerless. I wish I could change things. I wish I could bring Sorvinka back to the way it was before: united, strong, and proud." She stared at the diminishing silhouettes of the Anchin warriors with loathing. "I don't understand why Father is paying them to stay away. I wouldn't."

"Your father wants to prevent a war."

"Why? We're Sorvinkian. They cannot defeat us."

That wasn't what I had heard, yet I chose not to argue with Eva. The searing anger, the irrational wrath, she'd just displayed was new to me. I'd never seen that side of her before. Of course, I thought, with what has happened to her sisters, Eva had the right to be angry. And she wasn't really angry at me anyway—why would she be.

Our return to the castle was in a far less joyous mood than our departure had been. Nevertheless, when Eva bid me farewell, promising that we would meet again tomorrow at her mother's apartments, there was enough warmth in her voice to make me forget her irritable attitude earlier. Thus it was with a light heart that I went back to my rooms.
The queen will love me. She has too. I will be charming. I won't say anything inappropriate.
Everything would go well, I was sure of it. Then again, I had thought the same before meeting the king.

* * *

"How do I look?" I asked Milo for the tenth time.

"Like a prince."

Once more, I turned my attention to the full-length mirror attached to the wall. I had chosen a copper-colored kaftan trimmed with black fur and a matching turban. The tunic and pants I wore underneath were made of the finest black silk and my belt was constructed of gold rings. I flicked a finger on the black pearl brooch embellishing my copper turban. Was it too much? I opened my mouth to speak—

"It's fine. Leave it," Milo said, beating me to the punch.

Knocks at the door brought this nerve-wracking wait to an end. I rushed to open it before Milo could make a move. A guard stood at attention in the corridor.

"Prince Amir, by orders of the queen you must accompany me to her apartments."

"Milo, bring the gift, we're leaving."

The trip to the royal wing took more time than I thought. When we arrived at the queen's apartments, the guards opened one of its tall double doors and stepped back.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the room. Situated on the south side of the castle, this long room's entire left side was made up of a series of tall glass windows. With its creamy-yellow walls and bright sunlight beaming in, the room was a warm contrast from the rest of this dark dingy castle. As Milo and I walked toward the group of ladies waiting further down the room, I studied the decorations. Round white medallions embellished the yellow wall, carved white columns stood between each window like soldiers on guard. The ceiling was painted to imitate an open sky, pale blue with a few fluffy clouds. This architecture and style of décor was totally different from anything else I'd seen in the castle so far.
The queen has taste,
I thought, looking ahead.

Reclined against the backrest of a lounging chair, the queen watched me approach. A sallow-skinned, dainty woman, she looked ill and weak, this in spite of the excess of rouge applied to her sunken cheeks. Even her shimmering rose dress failed to improve her complexion and bring life to her face. Still, her exquisite bone structure remained untouched by illness. This woman must have been a great beauty in her day. My attention then traveled to the queen's entourage.

Looking lovely in her cream dress, Eva stood at her mother's right side. Next to her was the stunning Countess Ivana in a bright blue gown. My eyes rapidly returned to Eva, who I could now see had inherited some of her mother's stunning features. Their eyes, those warm big brown eyes, were similar.

I was almost at their side when a third woman stepped out from behind the countess. With her simple gray dress and mousy brown hair tied back in a stern bun, plain-looking Lady Isabo was quite literally outshined by Eva's and Ivana's radiant beauty. Even the queen was more striking than her. To me, Isabo looked more like a servant than a lady. Her eyes met mine, and I immediately reevaluated that impression. No servant would ever stare down a prince with such fearless arrogance. Also, I had to admit those vibrant green eyes of hers were certainly not plain. Sadly, I thought that the hostility clouding her gaze attenuated the effect of that unusual and striking color.

The queen took Eva's hand into hers. "Can you leave us, my child? I need to speak to this young prince alone."

Reluctantly, Eva withdrew from the room. I watched her leave with regret . . . and a hint of apprehension.

"Prince Amir," said the queen. Her voice was like velvet, soft, rich, and warm, and the rolling accent she possessed as pleasurable as a caress. I felt some of my apprehension evaporate. "You must forgive me for not rising. My health is not the best. However, I can assure you that I've looked forward to meeting you for a while."

I bowed humbly at the waist before her. "The honor is mine, Your Majesty."

"Please rise. I wish to look at you."

I obeyed.

"Mmm!" she said. "You are indeed very handsome. So what I was told proved to be true—for once."

I felt myself blushing.

The queen smiled. "And modest too. You are full of surprises, Prince Amir. I see why my daughter is so . . . " She paused and studied me carefully before saying, " . . . fond of you. A pity my husband doesn't share her view. But we'll see, we'll see."

Her eyes moved to Milo, standing behind me with the ivory box containing the queen's gift in his arms. I was surprised to see that her attention wasn't focused on the box at all, but fixed on Milo's face. The poor boy was as livid as one waiting in line at the blacksmith to have a tooth pulled.

"Hmm . . . " she gave. The sound twisted my stomach into knots. "I was made aware of your servant's condition, and that his looks were deceiving. However, I did not imagine they would be to this extent. This is quite unexpected." She glanced at me. "What is your servant's name?"

"Milo, Your Majesty."

She smiled. "Milo, just out of curiosity, how many invitations have you received."

Milo paled to such a degree that he looked on the verge of fainting. "Your Majesty, I fear I don't understand—"

"Oh yes, you do. I'm talking about the small notes ladies of the court have been slipping in your palm since you got here. Invitations to join them in their rooms at night, I presume. How many so far?"

Milo swallowed hard. "Four—no five, Your Majesty."