Page 61 of The Light Falls
“The delegation leaves about an hour after,” I remind him. “Be careful.”
He moves, and I head to the door again.
When I look back, all three are finishing their breakfast. We almost look like a family. A powerful, dangerous one with a complete disregard for anyone’s rules but our own, but I guess everybody has to start somewhere.
I knock on an ornate door fancier than the one leading to my bedroom.
It opens and a small voice greets me. “Your majesty. What an honor.”
Following the sound down, I find a beautiful brownie with pink hair. “Hello. What is your name?”
“Vela, don’t keep the queen waiting,” a harsh voice reprimands her.
She flushes. “Sorry. Please come in.”
“Vela is a beautiful name,” I say with a smile. Stepping into the office, I have to literally pick my jaw off the floor. It’s elaborate and expensive. Half the room is gilded in gold and jewels. “Wow. This is quite the office.”
He preens. “Thank you. Have a seat.”
“Why don’t you stand and show me the respect I deserve as your queen first?” I remark with a pleasant smile pasted on my face. I’ve met men like him my whole life. Give them an important job and a little power, and they feel entitled to take the rest.
Flustered, he stands and bows. “Your Majesty.”
I toy with the idea of sitting in his chair but dismiss it. There isn’t time for theatrics. I take a seat in front of his desk. “You may sit.” When he does, I launch into the reason I’m here. “I need money.”
And there it is. The look of disdain he wears in the council meeting. “Queens don’t carry money. Have all bills sent to the palace, and I’ll have my staff process them.”
“And since I don’t want to have to come back here regularly, let’s just start with a sack full of gold coins, one of silver, a bag of small diamonds, and one with larger carats too. Or should I get a bag of mixed jewels? You know what… All of it,” I state firmly. “Well, what are you waiting for?”
He flashes me a condescending smile. “It’s not how it’s done. I manage the finances for the palace. Everybody knows to send the bills here.”
I look around his office again. “Obviously, there’s some misappropriation going on. If the steward of my castle has a better office than mine, it’s a clear sign someone is abusing his power.”
He jumps up and leans over his desk. “How dare you!”
Tiernan opens the door, sword drawn, and scans the room. “Is everything okay, Queen Merindah?”
“It’s fine. We’re having a slightly heated argument, but I think Keir’s going to understand very quickly who’s in charge here,” I assure him.
Tiernan closes the door.
“Now, let’s get back my request. Money. Now.” Power fills the room along with the command to do my bidding.
Outraged, he angrily motions to Vela.
Eyes wide, she hurries to get what I need and deposits it at my feet.
With a wave of my hand, I send it to my bedroom.
“Thank you. It is my understanding that there are six hundred and twelve Lesser Fae here. Is that correct?” I sit back and wait for him to answer my question. He jerks his chin. “Good. What do we pay them?”
It occurred to me when Eris was speaking that she said they had it better than most because they were free.
He sputters. “We give them food, room and board, medical care, and time off.”
Honestly, it’s not bad. More than most are given in the Underworld, probably in this kingdom too. “Let’s add a small weekly wage. Draw up some numbers and present them to me in two days.”
His face twists into a puzzled expression. “Why? They can conjure their clothing, bedding, and other stuff.”
