Page 43 of Desperately Yours

“No, I suppose that’s true. Though I have always thought the people of Gauchian Province speak with more guttural intonations.” She smirked at me. “Like a toad.”

Returning her smile, I pressed on with caution. “For instance, I didn’t know about your origins, so it makes me wonder about others.”

Dahlia’s head tilted to the side as she thought about it. “Like who?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” I held two necklaces up to the light. “Maybe the queen? Is she originally from the capital? Is that how these things are usually arranged?”

“Oh no,” Dahlia shook her head, “it’s about families and power typically. Prince Leonidas has really turned the whole thing on its head.” She stepped back and admired the dress like she was the one who’d designed and sewn it in the first place. “In the case of Queen Mariah, it was arranged in the name of a peace treaty between the crown and her province. Her father was incredibly powerful and gaining favor with the people. Legend has it that many were seeking to overthrow the Fitzborough line and institute a new king.” She brushed at the skirt once and stood back, pleased with her work. “But when the marriage was announced, her father stepped back and was never heard from again.”

Not wanting to interrupt, I waited, but Dahlia seemed to think that was a decent ending. I didn’t agree.

“What do you mean he wasn’t heard from again? You said he was powerful. I imagine that means he was rich as well.”

“Yes, quite. He was governor over his province and had become rather wealthy. But the marriage assured that he saw wealth of unprecedented measure, a gift from the reigning king for being willing to negotiate.” She left the dress and started searching for the right shoes in the armoire. “But in his province, if you ask those who were alive back then, they give you anotherstory.” Dahlia had fallen into the role of Novolcian historian quite well. “They say the king had her father killed after the wedding, to keep the uprising from happening.” She held up a ballet flat and pointed it at me. “And from there it was all downhill for the province. The next governor didn’t care for the people. They were exploited, the culture fell to something unrecognizable, and poverty became the standard of living.” She retrieved the other shoe. “In fact, it wasn’t until about ten years ago that things began to improve. Not much, mind you, but by increments each year. Really, the last two years, ironically the years that have left the king incapacitated, it’s gained speed.”

Questions gathered in my mind, like rainwater in a storm. I sank on the edge of the bed, more curious than ever. “I’m sorry, Dahlia, maybe you said already, but what province did Queen Mariah’s father govern?”

“Oh,” she tapped a shoe against her forehead, “how silly of me. I almost forgot the most important part.”

It took all my self-control to keep my face at rest. I felt as though I knew the answer, but I wanted her to confirm it.

“Queen Mariah was born in the Eshein Province, but it’s not something she talks about. I don’t think anyone was surprised when someone from Eshein was chosen in the raffle. It was like a silent nod to Queen Mariah’s beginnings.” Dahlia retrieved a pair of heels from the armoire, likely to give me options. At the moment, I would have worn hiking boots or llama slippers if it made her keep talking. “But no one ever would have expected Lady Sadira to make it this far, especially not the queen.” She pursed her lips. “It’s one thing for the queen to toss crackers to the poorest province, but it’s quite another for her son to invite the peasant to dinner.”

The wording made my heart ache. Sadie had only ever been kind. Sure, she got competitive, but at her heart, she simply wanted love and she thought she’d found it with Fitz. Knowingwhat was headed her way, so soon after losing her soulmate, it was almost enough to make me surrender my spot to her.

“And tonight, the next queen will come from Eshein and it will all be full circle. I imagine Queen Mariah will take Lady Sadira under her wing and teach her everything she knows about ruling.” She clutched the shoes to her chest like she’d accepted a bouquet of roses. “She can train her to be exactly like herself.”

Was that the plan? Was Sadie meant to be a puppet? Queen Mariah would have to step down when Fitz took the throne, but if she had control of the new queen…

“I’ll have you know,” Dahlia set the high heels on my bed, final choice made without me, “I am incredibly jealous tonight. This ball… it is the utmost of the season. The best food, the most elegant dancing, the lavish decorations. When the clock strikes twelve, Prince Leonidas will announce his future bride to all the lords and ladies of the land.” She clasped her hands together, positively drunk on her excitement. “Oh, there won’t be a single count or duke not in attendance. You’ll dance with them and share riveting conversation. Even many of the ladies you know will be returning. It is the height of sophistication. I can hardly be still at the thought.”

All the pieces felt like a puzzle had been dumped into my hands, but with no reference photo, no idea what I was making, only a deadline that loomed because if there was ever a time to strike, wasn’t it best as all the monarchy and most of the nobles would be gathered in one place for a ball? Forget controlling the next queen, what if the entire line was wiped out, except the queen? No one could deny her then. The country would be desperate, and the queen would be the sole survivor.

“Michaela?” Concern slipped into Dahlia’s tone. “Are you ill? You’ve gone quite pale.”

“Fine.” I forced a smile into place. “Nervous for tonight, I suppose. All those cameras. And you’ve given me a lot to think about. All this history.”

“Yes, it is a lot for a foreigner.” She twisted her face as though she’d smelled spoiled milk. “Just another reason you are not fit to rule, I suppose.”

I didn’t have time for her nasty comments. If I was right, something horrible was headed our way and it could come from any direction. Was I the only one who’d seen it? Who could I tell?

“Do you know where the prince is today? I know we aren’t scheduled to see him until the ball, but I haven’t heard where he would be in the meantime.”

Her suspicion finally kicked in. Eyes narrowed, she watched me. “Dealing with the affairs of the kingdom, I presume. Our king has nearly passed.”

Guilt stabbed my heart. Of course he would be with his father. It was selfish of me to forget that. Our plans didn’t change his father’s illness. No matter of soup or magic birds had managed to heal him. Despite sneaking around, Bishop and I had never discovered any nefarious plot. Just that black bird and… those boxes.

We never looked in the boxes. There were three crates that came off that truck. One with the bird and two more in addition. I had planned to pry them open, but Bishop had… distracted me, then Fitz saw and freaked out, and I had completely forgotten about the boxes until now.

But they could be anywhere. They could hold anything, and we had no way of knowing.

I needed to get back down to the shipping yard. Surely, Kabir knew the way and could escort me. I bit my lip as I considered it. Unless he was some kind of sleeper agent waiting to attack. If I led him to the evidence, he would just destroy it and thendestroy me. Knowing his skills, there would be no trace and he would just claim I went back to America. No, I couldn’t involve him, and somehow, I had to lose him as well. Not an easy feat considering how closely he followed me without my knowledge.

As if summoned, three knocks sounded at the door. Before Dahlia could pull it open, it opened and Bishop slipped inside. “Well, I hear congratulations are in order for the lucky…” His voice trailed off as he saw Dahlia. “The lucky winner of this envelope.” He shook the small envelope in his hand, but clearly, he’d been caught. “Blast the way you’re always here, woman.”

“This is a lady’s chambers, Sir. You can’t simply barge in without consent.” Dahlia breezed past his veiled insult and seized the envelope out of his hand. “What if she had been changing?”

“Two birds, one stone, love.” Bishop winked for good measure and snatched the envelope back. “And that is not for you.”

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