Page 57 of Bloodguard

My uncle is right, and although my routine varies, I work every day—usually out in the communities of Arrow—aiding in the areas that need it. Not that it’s elevated me in power or otherwise.

Had my grandmother not perished and Papa not been sentenced to an eternity in the dungeon, the responsibilities I bear for this kingdom may have been praised, or at the very least noticed.

But she did die.

Regardless,Iam still the rightful heir to this throne. And once I become queen, the people in this room will answer to me.

“Uncle, a new caravan of immigrants arrived this morning,” I say, squaring my shoulders and forcing the leaders in this room to listen.

“Why did you let them into Arrow?” Soro huffs.

Our policy has always been to maintain an open flow of trade and peoples in and out of Arrow, given the lack of abundance beyond our walls. I don’t bother reminding Soro.

I continue, “The outskirts along the western border are becoming more cramped—”

“That shouldn’t be our problem,” he says to Vitor and not me.

“It is if they reside in Arrow,” I counter.

Soro rounds on me. “It wouldn’t be if we stop letting them in!”

I pretend he doesn’t exist. It’s not hard. “There’s a large, abandoned warehouse close to the city where they used to mill corn. I’d like to oversee construction to create more apartments within. If we can avoid overpopulating those regions, we can limit the risks of disease and fire.”

Vitor is in long, blue, formal robes, his dark hair braided tightly. He frowns at something Lord Ugeen, that ass-kisser who cheats on hismanyex-wives, whispers into his ear, all while staring at me. Ugeen is an odious human with a shaved head and round belly, and his beady green eyes narrow on mine. He should know better than to insult me before Vitor. He’s trying to either convince Vitor I am his enemy or goad me into believing I’ve lost Vitor’s favor. It’s all I can do not to kick him in the groin.

He’s been a raging knob since I declined his proposal. Vitor is not a fan of Ugeen, either, so I don’t understand why the vile man is even here.

I clear my throat. “Uncle? What do you think of my suggestion?”

Tut, the ogren general in charge of surveillance, rumbles a laugh. He goes as far as leaning over to the other ogren general, Pua, who’s charged with overseeing special operations, just to whisper something in his ear.

They’re not talking about me. They’d never be that foolish.

What they are doing is behaving as if I hadn’t said a word. My stomach sinks, and anger makes my face heat.

Tut was always kind to me, even as a child, but now? Is he like the others who only see a young woman playing advisor until it’s time for her dismissal?

It’s been like this since Leith beheaded my fiancé. Everyone knows it’s unlikely I find another royal fiancé to take the throne back except Soro, and he would see that I was given even less respect as his queen. One more reason I need to put on a genteel smile and focus on helping Leith for the time being.

I blink up at Vitor innocently. “Uncle?”

Vitor continues to frown, but any anger he holds, he directs at Ugeen. I wait and wait some more. Finally, Vitor speaks. “Take what you need in terms of supplies,” he says. “But as of today, our borders will be closely monitored for suspicious activity, and all who seek entry will be vetted by our soldiers first.”

“What type of suspicious activity?” I ask. Like me, the others taking up every square inch of space, save Soro, can’t mask their surprise.

Soro offers a placating grin and all but tells me to run along. “Maeve, we’ve told you time and time again, everyone is jealous of Arrow.” He adjusts the white-and-blue medal of honor pinned to the chest of his uniform. “Can you blame them?”

I can’t help but wonder if he’s talking about himself.

“Where are Lord Jakeb and the Lady Giselle?” Soro asks, changing the subject.

I swallow the argument about the activity along the perimeter rising in my throat. Vitor prides himself on order and discipline. Arguing with him, especially in front of others, will not accomplish anything. “Lord Jakeb is overseeing the new construction in town.”

Father seldom spends his days in the castle anymore. I don’t want to announce that he had a harder time than usual after his most recent visit with Papa. He left to spend yet another day helping with the construction of low-cost residential spaces in New Arrow. It was Papa’s passion project, and Father is determined to complete it on his behalf.

Vitor’s mouth turns down the way it does when something concerns him. Then he gives a short jerk of his head as though affirming something for himself before coming around the table to stand beside me.

It may be a small show of solidarity, but declaring the borders functionally closed clearly favored Soro.

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