The Reluctant Queen (The Queens of Renthia #2)(119)

It was a crisp night, and the wind blew through the open windows of the tower. The flames in the lanterns wavered, and shadows crossed the queen's face. She looks tired, Hanna thought. So do we all. She doubted many in the kingdom had slept much since the queen had announced her illness.

Champion Piriandra was scowling. "Why are we here?"

"To the point, then . . . we are being invaded. It has already begun." As Hanna gasped, Daleina smiled sadly at the two chancellors. "I was correct: they are coming from the north, straight to Mittriel."

"I know you take no joy in that," Chancellor Quisala said stiffly.

"They sense weakness," Piriandra said, and Hanna wanted to scold her for the hostile tone of her voice. Young or not, inexperienced or not, powerful or not, Daleina was queen.

"Here is what we know," Ven said, stepping in before she could say anything. "Queen Merecot arranged for Queen Daleina to be poisoned, using a slow-acting concoction that masqueraded as a natural illness."

"Presumably she guessed that I would react exactly the way I did: keeping our soldiers in Mittriel to protect my people in case I lost control, rather than sending them to the borders," Daleina said. Hanna had the sense she'd pace if she could, but the tower was too cramped. Instead she fidgeted, twisting the sleeves of her gown and fiddling with the pearl embellishments. "I do not regret this decision, though it nearly proved disastrous-Merecot effectively silenced whatever minimal border guard we have. We received no warning through them when the invasion began."

"Then how did you know?" Piriandra asked again.

"I can feel them," Daleina said simply.

Ven spoke again. "We believe Queen Merecot used this poison in order to buy herself time to gather Semo's soldiers and spirits at our border."

"We will send our troops north to intercept," Chancellor Isolek said, rising. "If we begin immediately, they can be in Birchen by-"

"No," Daleina said. "We make our stand in Mittriel. I want every soldier, every champion, and every candidate positioned at the northern edge of the city."

Chancellor Quisala gasped. "But the border towns! You can't-"

Daleina cut her off. "We must. Naelin, how far can you reach?"



       
         
       
        

Naelin didn't move from the window. "No more than two miles from the northern border of the city. Keep them within that line, and I can do it."

"Who's she?" Champion Piriandra demanded. "I don't take orders from a candidate."

"She's my heir," Daleina said.

Champion Piriandra began shouting, as did Chancellor Isolek and Quisala. It wasn't done! The trials had to be held! She couldn't-she wouldn't-she didn't-

When they finally took a breath, Headmistress Hanna spoke. "She has proven herself to you?"

"She has," Daleina said.

"Then that is sufficient for me." Hanna quelled the others with a look. After all, she had decades of experience training and evaluating potential heirs. She surmised that this was why Daleina had requested her presence, to lend credibility to the queen's decision. "This is not a time to be without an heir. A trial now would be both a luxury and a foolish risk, and there are no other suitable candidates. It is Naelin or no one."

The others fell silent. Piriandra visibly swallowed back whatever she planned to say. "Champion Piriandra"-Daleina turned to her-"I appoint you to lead the champions and their candidates. You are one of our most experienced champions."

Straightening her shoulders, Champion Piriandra said stiffly, "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I may not be your best choice. My misjudgment has cost two candidates their lives."

"I can't speak to the first candidate's fate, but as to the second . . ."

Hanna saw the queen hesitate.

Ven spoke for her. "She was murdered, Piriandra. We believe your candidate Beilena was killed by an agent of Semo, on orders from Queen Merecot."

"Her death was not your fault," Daleina said.

All the color drained out of the champion's face. Her hand drifted to her sword hilt. Headmistress Hanna laid her own hand on Piriandra's shoulder. "Revenge will come later," Hanna told her quietly.

"No revenge," Daleina said. "I need you focused on protecting our soldiers. Can you do this? Lead the champions with their candidates? Protect our soldiers from whatever spirits Merecot sends against them?"

"Of course." Piriandra bowed.

"Chancellors, you will focus the troops on the human enemy. It's a single squadron. You should be able to hold them. Chancellor Quisala, you will command the soldiers in the northeast of the city, and Chancellor Isolek, the northwest. We cannot let Merecot take the capital."