Cyrene awoke the next morning, aching all over. She had tended to her wounds last night, and she was surprised to see her injuries were healing remarkably fast. She was still stiff and sore, but after a few steps, she managed to walk without flinching.
Two servant girls in long-sleeved white gowns arrived to help her dress in a sky-blue gown with cream lace sleeves. They placed a plate of toasted bread, seasonal berries, and a hard-boiled egg on her table along with a fresh pot of tea. She graciously thanked them before they departed.
After taking the last sip of her tea, Cyrene placed the porcelain cup on the matching saucer and stood from the sofa in her sitting room. She eased her damaged fingers into her plait and tried to loosen some of the strands. She had already woken up with a headache that morning with the memory of what had happened the night before still fresh. She shuddered at the thought of Kael and the warrior ceremony and hoped that no one else would find out about either incident.
Trying to push that out of her mind, she focused on her fast approaching meeting with Queen Kaliana. Cyrene would be given her official duties as an Affiliate today.
Cyrene wasn’t certain where she was supposed to meet the Queen. Despite her fears, she opened the door to her chambers and gazed out into the empty hallway.
Her heart sank. No one was there to direct her, but at least there weren’t masked figures. She wished she had thought to ask the servants. The next best thing would be to hunt down the directory from last night.
As she was about to start wandering the corridors, the door next to her room opened, and a petite girl no older than Cyrene with stick-straight blonde hair walked out in a pale yellow gown, her nose buried in a book.
“Um…excuse me,” Cyrene called out.
The girl stopped abruptly and looked up from her book in confusion. “Yes?”
“Sorry to bother you, uh…Affiliate. I’m supposed to have a meeting with Queen Kaliana. Do you think you could direct me to her rooms?”
“Oh. Yes, of course, I can,” she said with a bright smile. She closed the book and held it against her chest. “If you want to follow me, I can take you there myself.”
“That would be most helpful. Thank you.”
Cyrene fell into step next to the girl. She had eyes that were a little too big for her face and a splatter of freckles across the bridge of her nose. At the same time, her appearance was far from distinct, and Cyrene was sure her eyes would have slid easily over the girl in a crowd.
“I’m Affiliate Cyrene, by the way.”
“I know. I was at your Presenting yesterday.” The girl set a hasty pace as they walked down the corridor.
“I’m Affiliate Maelia Dallmer.”
“So nice to meet you,” Cyrene said.
“What kind of path do you hope for your Affiliate duties?” Maelia clutched the book tighter.
“I’m not certain what is available,” she began carefully, “but I’d prefer to be placed somewhere I’ll be able to travel. My sister is the Ambassador to Kell for the Queen and is fortunate enough to be able to travel the world. Do you know Aralyn?”
She smiled meekly and shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I’ve been here less than six months.”
“Oh. Then, you’re not that much older than me,” Cyrene murmured in relief.
She knew there were going to be girls around her age, but she hadn’t thought she would be lucky enough to find someone on her first day. The girl’s soft demeanor reminded Cyrene so much of Rhea. Maybe once Maelia broke out of her shell, she would also turn out to be someone Cyrene could be friends with.
“Are you from the capital city? I apologize for not remembering seeing you anywhere.”
“No, this city is still foreign to me. I was raised in Levin. My family are Seconds.” She used the slang term without a trace of emotion about being taken away from her family in the northern mountainous Byern city to enter into the First Class.
Cyrene dealings with the Second and Third Classes had been all but limited to the Laelish Market. She had been freaked out enough about moving into the castle without being transplanted into an entirely different city. On top of all that, Maelia had had to learn to adjust not only to an Affiliate’s lifestyle, but also to the First Class.
“Well, maybe I can show you around some, if we can find the time,” Cyrene offered.
“I’d like that.” A genuine smile crossed Maelia’s face.
She turned them down another hallway with more decoration than the previous one. Oil paintings hung on the wall. The first one showed a beautiful countryside with rolling hills and gorgeous oak trees. Another one revealed what looked like the foothills of their very own Taken Mountains and the Keylani River running through the mountain pass. The next showcased an oceanic scene with rippling waves, soft white sand, and palm trees blowing in the breeze.
While staring at the beach scene, she could almost hear the waves crashing on the bank, feel the gentle sea breeze, and smell the salty air thick with sea spray even though she had never even seen the Lakonia Ocean. She lightly shook her head, trying to rid herself of the strange emotions rolling through her body. She must have read about the paintings in a book prior to this moment.
With difficulty, Cyrene tore her gaze away from the incredibly detailed designs plastered on the walls, and she continued her conversation with Maelia.
“Let’s arrange to meet after I receive orders from the Queen.”
Maelia fidgeted with her book as they approached the enormous wooden door at the end of the hallway. “I hope she lets you off easy. I’d love to see the city.”
“Is she particularly stern?”
“Stern is not the proper word.” Maelia’s voice dipped to a whisper. “The Queen is power hungry on a good day, and today might be even worse. Perhaps I should not say so though.” Her hazel eyes glanced anxiously at the closed door as if someone might hear her critique of the Queen.
“Why is she more so today?” Cyrene mirrored Maelia’s soft tone.
“I’ve heard,” Maelia murmured, drawing closer to Cyrene, “that the Queen is with child, and she announced such circumstances to His Majesty.”
“Why, that’s wonderful news!” Cyrene boomed. Maelia’s hesitant peek at the doors made Cyrene lower her voice. “Isn’t that wonderful news?”
“It’s hard to tell. The last one ended in a miscarriage.”
Cyrene’s mouth popped open in shock. “She lost the baby?”
Maelia nodded solemnly. “So, you can see why today might be worse. The baby is good news but only if she can hold on to it. I think she fears she cannot.”
“How terrible. Thank you so much for telling me. I would have hated to go in there blind.”
“Good luck. I’m sure my warnings were unwarranted.” Maelia placed her hand on Cyrene’s shoulder. “You’ll do great. King Edric and Prince Kael both seemed to like you after all.”
Cyrene blushed. Had they been that obvious? “I’m sure they were both performing their duties in welcoming me as the newest Affiliate.”
The coy smile on Maelia’s lips told Cyrene that had not been the case. “I’m sure.”
“I’ll find you afterward. Will you be in your rooms?” she asked to divert the subject.
“Most likely. It was really nice meeting you, Cyrene. I can’t wait for our adventure.”
“Me either. It was so nice to meet you as well, Maelia.”
The girl scurried back down the hallway and around the corner.
Cyrene didn’t know what it was, but she already liked Maelia. With Rhea gone, Cyrene had been afraid it would be a while until she made friends. She had heard stories of all the Affiliates being close, but those were countered with just as many tales of them hating each other and battling for favored positions.
Cyrene heaved the heavy wooden door open and entered the Queen’s compartments. For all the inactivity of the corridors, people were bustling in the Queen’s chambers. Affiliates and servants alike milled around inside—some speaking rapidly to one another, others with their noses buried in books, and still more writing furiously on loose sheets of parchment. The room reminded her of a beehive with a large round central room and other rooms branching off in various directions. A stained-glass mural overhead depicted a fabled land with unnaturally beautiful individuals with wings sprouting out of their backs.
An athletically built woman with a face covered in freckles flowed gracefully toward Cyrene. “Hello, Affiliate Cyrene,” she said with a bright smile. Her pale green dress brought out the stark quality of her frazzled fiery-red hair, which hung loose to her waist. “Pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Affiliate Catalin, Director of Internal Affairs for Her Majesty, Queen Kaliana.”
Cyrene dipped a small curtsy to the woman. “Good day to you, Affiliate Catalin.”
She had heard her mother complain frequently enough about the woman who had been the DIA under Queen Adelaida for King Maltrier. DIAs expected nearly as much respect as the queen and the consort, but they frequently abused the authority vested in them.
“Queen Kaliana is meeting with His Royal Highness, Prince Kael, at the moment.”
Cyrene tried to keep the tightness from her mouth at the mention of his name.
“I am to begin with your training until she is ready for your assignment. Follow me, please.” She briskly walked across the marble floor.
After crossing the busy foyer, Cyrene entered an immaculate small square room on the far end of the chamber. Books lined the built-in shelves of one wall in descending height order. Sheaves of paper were stacked carefully in neat piles, and emerald-green feather quills were perfectly aligned. A practical wooden desk sat against the far wall, and two matching wooden stools stood before it.
Catalin took a seat behind the desk and gently folded her hands on the desk. “Please sit,” she offered graciously.
“Thank you very much.”
“We’ll get right down to business then, yes? I’m sure you are aware of much of what I am about to tell you, what with your family’s impeccable First Class background, but procedures must be followed.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll start at the beginning.” She cleared her voice. “Congratulations on being selected into the First Class and having the luxury of being appointed to Her Royal Highness, Queen Kaliana, as a Queen’s Affiliate.”
With a quirk of her mouth, Catalin said, “As you know, Viktor Dremylon set in place a new government with three Classes to allow the people a chance to have better lives. With the new system, Viktor Dremylon put in place the High Order and Affiliate program to bring the best and the brightest together. You have been admitted into this prestigious role.”
Catalin continued, “We expect you to begin your educational regimen on your first day. You answer to Queen Kaliana and offer assistance for any requests she might have. Your unhesitating acceptance is required. Her Majesty always has a larger picture in mind than you might be aware of. Do you have any questions?”
Cyrene hesitated. “Yes, Affiliate Catalin. What of Consort Daufina? I realize you did not mention her.”
She couldn’t think it was an accident that Catalin had left off information about the Consort. Cyrene knew from her lessons that Affiliates were expected to have the same deference to the consort as to the queen. In nearly every right, except for blood, the consort was royalty.
Catalin’s sneer confirmed Cyrene’s beliefs. “You are not bound to the Consort. You’ll do well to remember that you work for the Queen, first and foremost. Upon request, the Consort can work with you if you are not already busy with the Queen’s orders.”
It simply didn’t work that way. Cyrene knew it, and this woman knew it.
Either way, Cyrene smiled sweetly as if she did not know that Catalin had blatantly lied about the mechanics of the business.
“As I was saying, you have obligations as an Affiliate, other than your education. The King has plans to travel on procession to Albion, and you will likely be asked to accompany the court on the expedition. Additional duties might arise throughout your time as an Affiliate, and as always, you are expected to accept these responsibilities with grace and goodwill. Are there any further questions?”
Cyrene opened her mouth to tell Catalin that she understood her responsibilities when a figure burst into the room.
“Affiliate Catalin!”
“Jardana!” Catalin rushed to her feet and glared at the girl.
Cyrene craned her neck around to take a look. The girl was dreadfully thin with honey-blonde hair pulled high off of her face, similar to the Queen’s fashion.
“There’s been an attack!” Jardana cried dramatically.
“An attack?”
“King Edric sent me directly for Prince Kael.”
“Slow down, child. What has happened?”
Jardana bristled at the use of the word child. “High Order Zorian was found dead this morning. His face…” She swallowed hard. “His face had been ripped off.”
Cyrene paled. A death of a member of the High Order had occurred in the castle? That was unheard of. And why does that name sound familiar?
“Not Zorian,” Catalin said, tightly clutching the desk. “He just returned from Carhara.”
By the Creator!
That was the man who Reeve had wanted to introduce her to last night at her Presenting. His friends had joked about Zorian engaging with Carharan women, but he had been…killed.
“Follow me. I must tell the Queen at once,” Catalin said.
The group exited Catalin’s office and went back into the round common room that was still bustling with Affiliates. They stopped in front of a pair of double doors worked with the Queen’s intricate climbing vines. Catalin entered without waiting for an invitation. Cyrene and Jardana swept in after her.
Propriety still in order for the DIA when addressing the Queen, Catalin fell into a deep curtsy. Cyrene’s blue eyes raked the room as she also curtsied before Queen Kaliana, next to Jardana. When Cyrene met Prince Kael’s smug look from his seated position before the Queen, she stared icily back.
“What in the Creator’s name do you think you are doing, barging in like this, Catalin?” the Queen demanded.
“My apologies, Your Highness,” Catalin said, hastening to stand.
“Well, explain yourself!”
“Your Highness, Affiliate Jardana has arrived with some most troubling news this morning,” Catalin began.
“May we speak about this after my new Affiliate appointment, Catalin?” Queen Kaliana snapped. She lounged back in her chair inlaid with gold and clasped her narrow long fingers together in her lap. She was swathed in the finest gold silk, her long-sleeved dress fitting tightly across her chest, and tied around her neck was a faintly shimmery gold lace ribbon.
“But it comes directly from King Edric,” Jardana cut in.
Queen Kaliana set her cold and calculating blue eyes on Jardana, who kept her back ramrod straight. The Queen’s blonde hair was pulled sharply off of her face, which only gave her a more severe appearance. This was not a woman to be underestimated.
“Please remember whom you are speaking with, Affiliate.”
Jardana nodded her head. “Your Highness.”
“Now, be quick with this matter, Catalin. I have business to attend to, and I’m in no mood this morning.”
“High Order Zorian was found dead this morning, Your Majesty.”
Queen Kaliana breathed in sharply. Cyrene watched Prince Kael’s lips thin, and then she quickly diverted her attention.
“Affiliate Jardana was sent here from King Edric for his brother, Prince Kael,” Catalin added.
“She was sent here for the Prince?” the Queen asked, her words as sharp as a razor blade.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Jardana whispered.
“Very well. He will leave at my discretion. In the meantime, Catalin, do hurry along to my Edric and let him know I will be there to deal with this as soon as I am finished with my new Affiliate.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Catalin bobbed a curtsy and then rushed from the room.
“As for you, Jardana,” the Queen began, “you will wait outside for Prince Kael.”
“There’s no need for Jardana to wait while we speak with the new Affiliate. I can find my way,” Prince Kael said.
Jardana’s jaw set at the dismissal. “Of course, Your Majesties.”
She swept out of the room like a thundercloud, and the door slammed shut behind her. Cyrene had been standing back, observing them throughout the entire encounter. She was surprised to find that neither Prince Kael nor Queen Kaliana seemed to be in a rush to find out more about the dead man. In fact, Queen Kaliana seemed to be purposely stalling the Prince from leaving.
“Affiliate Cyrene,” Queen Kaliana said.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” she murmured with an uneasy smile.
“Indeed.” Queen Kaliana contemplatively turned her attention to Prince Kael.
“You slept well, I hope,” Prince Kael said. A sly smile played on his lips.
“Quite well in fact. Nice and warm.” She clenched her hurt hands at her sides. “Thank you for asking.”
Prince Kael’s smile widened.
Queen Kaliana suspiciously eyed them. “Prince Kael was just telling me how kind he was to direct you back to your chambers last night. I’m not certain how you’d missed the information to get there on your own, but you’re here now, so you must have received the instructions I sent to your rooms this morning.”
Cyrene maintained her outward calm, but all the while, she was seething on the inside. The woman had sent no such instructions last night, and she had not done so this morning either. She wondered if Queen Kaliana was the reason for the vile warrior ceremony in the first place.
But Cyrene needed to play along. There was surely some reason for all of this.
“Yes, they were most helpful, My Queen.”
Cyrene would have to find proper directions on her own. She would not be caught unaware again.
“We’re very glad you arrived in time,” Prince Kael said.
“Kael,” the Queen snapped. “I believe you have other matters to attend to. Did we not just receive news that a High Order was killed?”
Prince Kael slowly dragged his gaze away from Cyrene. “Of course, Your Royal Highness. I was waiting for your leave.”
“You have it. Tell my husband that I will be there to help in any way I can.”
“As you wish. I do hope you save me the pleasure of your delightful company another time.”
The Queen’s stare never wavered, even as his tone openly mocked her in front of a new Affiliate, one of her own. Cyrene could tell she would have flailed him alive if he had been anyone but royalty.
“Thank you, Kael. You may go.”
Prince Kael rose smoothly from the chair, stretching out his lean-muscled body. He swept the Queen a deep bow, and then he managed one only a bit less regal for Cyrene but with an even bigger smile.
Courtier indeed! She wished he hadn’t bowed so low even if the gesture did honor her.
The Queen would surely see it as a slight against her from Prince Kael.
As he walked toward the exit, he stopped right before Cyrene and directly looked her in the eyes. “I would be careful about leaving the grounds, Affiliate. We don’t know what’s out there. You should keep yourself safe.”
Cyrene’s eyebrows rose. Is the Prince worried about me? She had a hard time reconciling this with the man who had been in her room only last night.
He smirked once more, and her eyes followed him as he barged out of the room, letting the door slam behind him. Cyrene didn’t know what to make of him. He was a bit of an enigma.
“What an animal,” Queen Kaliana mumbled. “Always carrying on and slamming doors. You would never guess he was related to my Edric.”
Cyrene didn’t know what to say, so she focused on the room instead. It was nearly twice as large as the foyer outside the chamber and similarly round with two concealed doors on either side of the room. Several hundred-year-old tapestries hung without a day of fading or wear. One showed dancing, another revealed a circle of multicolored mushrooms, and a few appeared to depict an enchanted forest habitat alight with activity. Large colored glass orbs hung from the ceiling and cast a rainbow across the room that was brightly lit from an overhead sunroof. The effect was dazzling.
“Well, let’s make this quick. As you can see, my day is full of important matters.” Queen Kaliana reflexively brushed a piece of hair off her face. “Sit, Cyrene. We need to come to a decision.”
Cyrene sat gracefully in the chair Prince Kael had vacated.
“I’ve been reviewing your file to make a decision about your educational regimen. It seems you have excelled in nearly all your subjects, and you have received positive marks from your tutor. But where to put you?” She slapped her hands down on the table, spreading her fingers wide, and then she rose before positioning herself in front of her desk.
After a couple of minutes of silence, the Queen said, “As you know, an Affiliate’s educational regimen is the most important aspect of your First Class life. You will become an expert in whatever is decided, and you will make a great contribution to Byern. As your Receiver, it is my job to find a proper placement for your career…somewhere you will flourish.” She gave a wry smile. “Lucky for you, my husband spoke to me about you this morning.”
“He did?” Cyrene gasped out. Her mouth popped open, and her blue eyes grew wide. Why did the King speak on my behalf?
“Indeed he did,” Queen Kaliana said. “You act surprised.”
“I beg your pardon, Queen Kaliana, but it is not an act. I have no idea why King Edric would have spoken of me or about me.”
“While I’m sure that is true,” the Queen said as if she believed no such thing, “he still spoke to me about his opinion regarding your Affiliate duties. He mentioned that you have quite an affinity for the weather, even suggesting heretical things such as predicting it.”
Cyrene’s face blanched. Oh no!
“You don’t deny it?”
“No, Your Majesty,” Cyrene began carefully. “I did mention that to the King, but it was in jest.”
“That would be a useful quality.”
Only If I want to be burned for witchcraft or cast out for madness…
The Queen stalked over to a gorgeous standing cabinet. The top half was lined with shelves and covered in glass to protect the priceless artifacts within. The bottom half was covered with solid wooden doors and round doorknobs protruding from each one.
Queen Kaliana opened one door to reveal a stack of papers over a foot tall. She eased the loose papers out of the cabinet and heaved them across the room. She quivered under the weight of the documents.
Cyrene jumped to her feet. “Do you need assistance, My Queen?”
“Sit,” she barked.
Cyrene nearly fell back into the chair. The Queen slammed the papers onto a blank space on her desk with a sigh of relief. The papers were black around some of the edges, and other pieces looked like scraps.
Queen Kaliana stared into Cyrene’s blue eyes, searching.
For what, Cyrene had no idea. She wished Rhea were here for strength or to help her determine what was about to happen.
“I’ve taken my husband’s wishes into consideration,” she began.
Cyrene felt like sinking into the seat.
“Additionally, after looking at the various positions that have recently opened up, I have come to a decision.”
The weight of the Oath of Acceptance Cyrene had taken only yesterday morning was already weighing heavily on her shoulders.
“One of the most trusted and oldest living Affiliates among us, Affiliate Lorne sadly passed away. She had been working in her field for more than seventy years. Unfortunately, Lorne’s house was burned to the ground before we could retrieve her life’s work from her residence. This stack here”—Queen Kaliana placed her hand on the enormous pile of papers—“is one of four that we were able to recover before the fire consumed everything. You are to read through everything Affiliate Lorne left behind and write a detailed report on her discoveries…if any.”
“What was her life work on?” Cyrene asked warily.
Queen Kaliana smiled. “Foreign agriculture.”
Cyrene’s heart sank. If she was stuck in agriculture her entire life, then she might never get to leave. She would never see the world. All her dreams of traveling were shattering before her eyes. This could not be happening. She was supposed to have an Ambassadorship.
“My Queen, are you quite certain that agriculture is the best use of my abilities?” Cyrene asked, trying to sound confident. “Do you not think I would be better served in some other field?”
The Queen smacked her hand back down on the stack, crumpling the paper on the top of the pile. Her face was set in a stern scowl, her mouth bunching up, and her eyes seething. “Do you dare contradict what I have decided?”
“No. Of course not, Your Highness.”
“I thought not.” She released the paper from her hand. “Your abilities will be best utilized in the field I have chosen for you, and you will receive no further training until you have completed the task I have set forth for you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, My Queen,” Cyrene said, meeting the Queen’s gaze. “I understand perfectly.”
She understood that the Queen, for some reason, felt threatened by her. She understood that the Queen did not like her husband speaking on anyone’s behalf, and clearly, she thought this was some sort of punishment for him doing so. She understood perfectly this was a means to get her out of the way.
But Cyrene wouldn’t be pushed aside so easily.
She was meant to see the world, and she would find a way to do so, one way or another.