Page 16 of A War of Crowns

Olivia confirmed without pause, “Well, it’s certainly notgoodnews.”

Duke Percy sighed audibly the moment their party shifted back into motion, making for the queen’s apartments.

While they walked, Olivia sneaked what was left of her bacon into Rogue the varhound’s waiting maw. She would have broughta treat for Alyx the usuru as well, but she didn’t particularly fancy walking around with dead mice stuffed into her pockets.

Duke Percy grumbled to her in an aside, “You were missed at the meeting, you know,” over the sound of his cane clacking against the floor. “I thought Coreto and Easome were going to come to blows there for a moment.”

Olivia’s lips curved into a grin at the thought. That certainly would have made for a less dry meeting than usual. “Well, what would you have expectedmeto do about it?” she asked, ruffling her fingers through Rogue’s sleek fur. “Take bets on who would win?” Without pausing for a single moment to consider, she announced, “My money would have been on Coreto.”

Suddenly shooting her a look, Seraphina presented another frown. Apropos of nothing, the queen asked, “How many ships do we currently have in Goldreach, Mistress Olivia?”

Olivia screwed up her lips at the odd question. “That’s probably a better question for Sir Easome, Your Majesty.”

“We both knowyouknow the answer,” Seraphina countered without pause. “And besides, I am not referring to the navy.”

Duke Percy interjected, “Most of the navy is already deployed to Arath to hold the blockade, at any rate.”

The queen sighed. “Which is why I’m curious about what ships we have that arenotalready deployed.”

Olivia ran her tongue against the back of her teeth and considered. It took her a few moments longer than she would have liked to swim through her currently murky thoughts. “Well…there are a few merchant vessels docked in the harbor. And, ah…some confiscated pirate ships.”

“Pirate ships?” Seraphina echoed, clearly confused.

Olivia couldn’t help it. She chuckled. “Yes, the gaol is hosting quite a few pirates at the moment while they wait for their sentencing.”

Seraphina weathered that sudden bit of laughter without so much as blinking.

Ol’ Percy scowled at her again, though.

But it was Duchess Edith who quietly asked, “Andwhyare we speaking about pirates?”

Percy grumped, “The question of the day, I suppose.”

“I was just considering,” Seraphina explained under her breath, “what if the worst were to happen? What if Mysai were to fall? Would we have enough ships to evacuate the city?”

“No,” Olivia answered with all her usual bluntness. “Not unless you’re willing to break the blockade. Or you could start handing out letters of marque and make some poor little pirates waiting to be hanged quite happy.”

After a few moments of consideration, the queen suggested, “There is also the Beaumont Trading Company.”

Duke Percy contradicted her at once. “The Baron of Crestley wouldn’t part with his precious trading ships—not for the world.”

“He would,” Seraphina argued. “He would if I asked.”

To that, Olivia could only slant the other woman a look.

Seraphina had spent most of their childhood mooning over the Baron of Crestley. And now the entire world thought him to be her lover because of it.

Olivia didn’t like him. Never had. Never would. He was far too arrogant for a man just as common-born as she was.

But Seraphina was right. Tiberius Beaumontwouldgive her his precious trading ships if she but asked. For a price.

A Beaumont always had a price.

Chapter three

Tiberius

Lord Tiberius Beaumont, the Baron of Crestley, positioned himself just so within the palace courtyard. He needed an excellent view of the West Wing so he could see Her Majesty when she finally emerged from her latest War Council meeting.

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